Do you ever have to work on the go and find that your work laptop is running low on battery?
If you’re like me, you probably don’t want to stop working just because your laptop is about to die.
That’s where charging your laptop in a car comes in handy. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of how to charge a laptop in a car.
We will discuss different methods and provide tips for each one. So whether you are on a road trip or just stuck in traffic, keep reading for more information on how to charge your laptop in a car.
Remember this can be a huge hassle, especially if you need to get work done. Considering that your laptop battery can not last long.
You need to know that a car has a 12V battery and your laptop will probably need around 240V of outlet power.
Read our guide on laptop wattage to get more clarification on this
Step One: Find a compatible universal adapter
You will need an adapter to convert the 12V from your car battery to the 240 volts needed by your laptop.
There are a few different types of adapters on the market, so you will need to find one that is compatible with both your car and laptop. Or just simply search for laptop car charger
Once you have found an adapter, make sure to read the instructions carefully before using it.
Step Two: Connect the adapter to your laptop
After you have purchased a compatible adapter, simply connect it to your laptop via a USB port or other connection point.
If you are using an AC/DC converter, be sure not to touch any exposed wires since they can shock you if touched while plugged in.
It is also important that both ends of the cable are connected properly.
Step Three: Plug in the adapter to your car’s cigarette lighter outlet
This is where it gets a little tricky because not every car has an outlet or socket that will fit an adapter plug.
In this case, you can use a USB charger with two ports and connect them both together using an extension cord.
If your car has a 12V outlet, simply plug the adapter in and turn on your car. The light on the adapter will let you know when it is properly connected to the car battery.
Step Four: Start charging your laptop
Once everything is plugged in correctly, you should start seeing your laptop charge up.
It may take a few minutes for the battery to start charging and it’s usually best if you leave your car running so that it doesn’t drain too much power from the adapter (or car).
Remember, this process can be dangerous so make sure not to follow these steps carefully.
Do not attempt to charge your laptop in a car if you are not familiar with the process. Always consult your adapter’s instructions to make sure you are doing everything correctly.
Now that we have gone over the basics of how to charge a laptop in a car, let’s take a look at some specific methods.
Each one has its own set of pros and cons, so you will need to decide which one is best for you.
Method One: Using a power inverter
This is the most common way to charge a laptop in a car and it’s pretty simple to do. All you need is a power inverter that plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter outlet and has an AC outlet for your laptop charger.
The only downside to this method is that it can be a bit slow since the power from your car battery needs to travel through the inverter first.
Method Two: Using a USB charger
If your car doesn’t have an AC outlet, you can use a USB charger instead. This will allow you to charge your laptop using the USB port on your dashboard. So you can go on and charge laptop in car without inverter by using this method.
The only downside to this method is that it can be a bit slow since the power from your car battery needs to travel through the inverter first.
This part of how to charge laptop with USB is well covered by Hp.com
Conlusion on how to charge a laptop in your carr
Charging your laptop in the car is a great way to stay productive on the go.
By using a power inverter, you can easily convert the DC power from your car into AC power that your laptop can use.
There are several different types of power inverters available, so it’s important to choose one that fits your needs.
Be sure to check the wattage rating of the inverter to make sure it’s compatible with your laptop. And finally, always be careful when working with electrical cords and plugs.
Now that you know how to charge a laptop in your car, it’s time for some real-world examples.
The best way to get started is by watching this video that shows step-by-step instructions on connecting and using an inverter:
The Topics is also covered well by:
- https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-charge-a-laptop-with-your-car
- https://laptopschamp.com/how-to-charge-a-laptop-in-a-car/
FAq’s
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Is it safe to charge a laptop in the car?
Yes, it is totally safe to charge a laptop in the car as long as you use a DC-to-DC converter.
To me I think it will be best you stick around as the car engine has to be running in the first place.
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Can I charge my laptop with USB-C in car?
Not all laptops can be charged via their USB ports. You need to check your device’s manual or ask at the manufacturer page of your brand if it is possible for your model.
Although according to this guide of how to charge a laptop in a car I would advise you use a power converter to charge it.
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How do you hook up a laptop charger to a car?
You need to get a special power converter that will change the voltage in your car outlet (cigarette lighter) into a low-voltage DC current.
You can find such converters online or at any electronics hardware shop near you. When you have this you will need to connect from the car cigarette lighter and watch the charging process take place.
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