Mitsubishi Delica Owners Club UK™

[Ando]

I have purchased a power convert to run my laptop in the Van, it works fine however only when the car engine is running. Does anyone know of something that plugs into the ciggy lighter that will power my laptop without the engine going? The laptop draws 19V the device I currentley have is listed here http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/413eb25a0803549a2742c0a87f990693/Product/View/M9695

Thanks in advance.

andy g

[Google]

[Rusty]

Andy..
Sorry, are you saying the adapter turns off when you turn the ignition off or do you mean the cigar lighter socket turns off when you turn off the ignition? The cigar lighter socket will only work with the ignition on or in the ACC position. Turning the key fully to off or removing the key will turn off the socket.
In other words... Does it still work if you have the key in the ACC position?
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[Ando]

doesn't work on acc on on, only when engine running

[petemillis]

Ando, what I use is one of these

to run a coolbox or other 12v acessories when the engine is off. When driving I run the coolbox direct off the accessory socket, and have the power pack already charged up or top it up using the lighter socket. When the engine's off it's just a case of plugging into this power pack (which has a lighter socket in it). Cost over here in the UK is £19.99 from Maplin. I'm sure you must be able to get one in NZ. It's also very handy when you have a flat battery as it provides loads of cranking power (starts Delicas with flat batteries for me - no prob!).
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Pete
1995 Delica Space Gear Exceed (PE8W) in LaGuardia silver with chrome tints and BIG round things.

[petemillis]

Full details of it are here
http://www.maplin.co.uk/products/module.asp?CartID=040908130813192&moduleno=37385
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Pete
1995 Delica Space Gear Exceed (PE8W) in LaGuardia silver with chrome tints and BIG round things.

[Rusty]

I 2nd that idea Pete I use one myself for my TV etc. Lots of uses 8)
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[rikyuu]

Assuming the cigar light socket is actually working in acc, I think the the battery voltage may be too low for the 19v convertor when the engine is not running (it'll be about 13.8v with the engine running). May be the battery is on it's way out so the voltage is dropping when the engine is off just below the threshold.

If you run the engine with the convertor and laptop powered the switch off the engine into acc posn, does it stay on for a bit then go off? If so it's the battery votage dropping I reckon. In that case a portable battery may not give enough volts either.

Try a voltmeter on your battery and see what is reads in acc posn when the convertor's switched itself off.

[Eagles]

I 3rd that idea Pete I also use one myself for my coolbox and things when we go camping.
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Steve   2000 bmw 325i sport , now Deli-less
"If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough"

[Oldskool Beat]

Well I aint got one

Hummmm.....One for the christmas list I guess
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Beat
I will not be held responsible for any loss of limbs or any other damage to Deli' or persons.
I am in no way a mechanic or auto electrician.
Just trying to help ;)
L400 LWB with toys  

[Ando]

Cheers fellas, good info. I have one more question. "what sort of person takes a TV camping? " ............just kidding. Do ya think were all getting a bit soft in our old age?

[petemillis]

Ando, it's these English campers - they're all a bit g a y ! All I take camping is a pair of speedos so I can have a dip in the sea
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Pete
1995 Delica Space Gear Exceed (PE8W) in LaGuardia silver with chrome tints and BIG round things.

[Ando]

Those things are about $260 dollars here but the guy who installed the car alarm uses a voltage converter 12 to 240volts he runs his soldering iron spot lites laptop off etc that he can do for $150.00 so I guess I will have to go with that. Thanks again.