Replacing laptop battery with car battery.

[Terryc]

As per subject, I basically want to set up a laptop so it powers
directly off the car battery. These are old laptops, not some new models
that I can go buy adapters etc. Budget is minimal, very minimal.

Previous attempts to just add 12V to + & - terms on laptop battery have
not been successful. Obviously that string of pads between the + & - are
significant. Opened old IBM & a Toshiba battery packs and found that
each have circuitry.

So, easy way, I was wondering if anyone could give me a heads up on what
they do? I wonder if there is a standard anywhere.

Otherwise, it is back to the drawing board and circuit tracing.

TIA

 

[Lord Garth]

As per subject, I basically want to set up a laptop so it powers
directly off the car battery. These are old laptops, not some new models
that I can go buy adapters etc. Budget is minimal, very minimal.

Previous attempts to just add 12V to + & - terms on laptop battery have
not been successful. Obviously that string of pads between the + & - are
significant. Opened old IBM & a Toshiba battery packs and found that
each have circuitry.

So, easy way, I was wondering if anyone could give me a heads up on what
they do? I wonder if there is a standard anywhere.

Otherwise, it is back to the drawing board and circuit tracing.

I'd find an old inverter, many are tossed due to bad batteries but are
otherwise in good order. Replace the batteries with a lead to your
auto battery, not through the lighter socket as the fuse might blow.

Do include an appropriate fuse however and be aware that you can
easily run down the auto battery.

 

[Terryc]

I'd find an old inverter, many are tossed due to bad batteries but are
otherwise in good order.

Do you mean UPS?
I already have inverters, which are generally smaller.

Replace the batteries with a lead to your
auto battery, not through the lighter socket as the fuse might blow.

Using a UPS just gives me 240V to use their adapter to bring it back
down to 12V ofthe batterys. Inefficent and bulky.

Do include an appropriate fuse however and be aware that you can
easily run down the auto battery.

This would be off a second battery anyway. It might also be possible to
auto shut down the laptops when battery voltage fell to a certain level.