Was hoping someone could explain the different power outlets in these cars to me....
In our CRV, we had the cigarette style outlets, and we bought one of these:
http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/140-watt.../6000016936888

which plugs into to those, to give us a household style outlet. We assumed it would power a laptop while driving, but it didn't.
So when looking at cars now, I see some of those outlets rated at 5V, some at 12V, some have the household style plus like the F150, which I think say 400w (vs something like 150W on the one from walmart...).
Will the 400W outlet in the Ford power a large power brick laptop charger?

Thanks!!!

 

The one you linked is a very small wimpy inverter. i wouldnt task that thing to do anything more than charge a cell phone. Without getting too much into peak / rms power and input current vs output power or even power supply efficiencies with such conversions, its safe to say that the f150's inverter is capable of charging your laptop.

 

Yes, many uses for these, but it was explained by Ford engineers that the outlets were originally incorporated into the truck to power and re-charge job site power tools. Also, notice the wide width of the console....it's there specifically for a work space like a laptop (as if anyone is still hauling those things around). You're good if that's what you want to use it for...

 

A 400w inverter is more powerful than just about anything you'd plug into a cigarette lighter. Many laptops are in the 100-200 watt range and even the very powerful ones with big power bricks top out around 350-400 watts.

The two downsides to large inverters are battery drain and heat. I'd imagine after powering a 400w laptop for a while the inverter will be getting hot. I hope they have some sort of cooling system.

 

Thanks all. Yes my concern is mainly for plugging in laptops, ipads, etc for long rad trips with the kids.
I have an Alienware laptop that has a large power brick. The only thing I can see on it for numbers are:
INPUT: 100-240V ~ 2.34 A 50-60Hz
OUTPUT: 19.5V - 9.23A

 

gibson00 - That is basically 20V X 10A = 200W so the 400W invertor will work fine.

 

I've tried one similar to what you bought for the CRV but it's only good for small cellphone-like chargers. To power a laptop I had to buy something like this one that works very well:

http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/smart-ac.../6000104226282

I've used mine for several years - I take it anytime I'm on a trip because you never know when you can use some 110v power. (I have a couple cameras with rechargeable batteries that have 110v chargers.)

Good luck!

 

I used my 2013 FX4 as my mobile office when traveling around. I never had an issue with my Mac, Phone, and iPad being changed at the same time (via outlet and USB from Mac).

 

I had a 400W portable inverter in my old truck. It easily ran my laptop and a HP Inkjet printer along with a USB Hub.

 

it won't run the lady's hair dryer though (dont look at me weird, I was trying to get the Sirius sticker off of the driver's side window )