Laptop Car Adapter

I have a pretty old laptop I got from wal-mart like a year ago. It is an eMachines W4620. I want a car adapter so that I can charge it in my car (Lumina 99).

This is the ONLY source I could find for a dedicated car adapter for it
http//www.shopbattery.net/emw4serelaau1.html

Its too expensive though and i've heard of cheaper/better methods. Good thing on the site it says voltage stuff for the laptop (which I don't completely understand, but i'm guessing that will help). On the site it says my laptop is

Input 11-15V DC
Output 19V DC, up to 65W max
Connector Barrel, Center +

I know there are DC-to-AC adapters like this one on Amazon
http//www.amazon.com/Cobra-CPI-450-Power-Inverter/dp/B00092PPZE/ref=sr_1_1/002-3662619-3502408?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1175075300&sr=1-1

Still a tad expensive but would that take a lot of power out of my cars battery to use that?

I'd like to go with the cheapest method that would work. I know there are universal car adapters.. but am unsure how to check if its compatible with my laptop. Would t Or what would be the cheapest alternative and still charge good?

I also saw this for $4 but am completely clueless on how it would work.
http//www.amazon.com/Maxell-Universal-Adapter-AUTO-DC-2/dp/B00009XNUU/ref=sr_1_14/002-3662619-3502408?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1175075757&sr=1-14

i'm sure you all know more than me.. any suggestions?

Get a power inverter instead. It's cheaper than a specialized laptop auto adapter, and it's more flexible since you could use it for a variety of devices. I bought a 400W (way more than enough for a laptop) Black & Decker inverter from Wal-Mart for less than $30. It's a little bulky, but if you have room to keep it under your seat or in the console, it's far more flexible. You can also buy low-watt inverters that fit entirely in the cigarette lighter socket for $20 or less usually. Check your notebook AC adapter for the wattage requirement. If it's less than 60W then you can get one for less than $10, like so

http//www.amazon.com/Recoton-Direct-DC-AC-Power-Inverter/dp/B000GE77YM

Amazon also has a 175W model for $31, but check your local Wal-Mart or Target first (automotive dept), you can probably find a sufficient one there for less.

Thanks for the reply.

My AC Adapter says

Input 100-240V - 1.8A 50/60hz
Output 19V === 3.42A

That's significantly more than what you were suggesting like a 60V...

Also, what is with the range? 100-240V? What would I need? Would a 100V do the job or would I need a 240V just to be safe?

Thanks

LOL, no, you're confusing Volts and Watts. I said 60[b47ad172fd8]W[/b47ad172fd8].

You're in the US, so you require 110V output, but that's not a concern since that's all you'll find in a US store.

Your supply should have a wattage rating, but I can tell you a wattage estimate from the voltage and amperage you quoted. Looks like you'll need about 180-200W on the input, and it outputs around 65W which is actually what I was referring to -- which is my mistake, I should have been quoting input wattage and not output.

So the small one I linked wouldn't be sufficient. You need to find a 200W inverter minimum. Not sure if you can get a 200W version of the small one, but whichever you get it will still be cheaper than a specialized auto power supply.

btw, W = V li A

heh, thanks.

Actually, I just figured out my mom got me one for christmas! I didn't even know what it was so I never really looked at it haha. But yea, it's 200 watts so i'm guessing that'll work good )

I believe it's this one

http//www.amazon.com/200-Watt-Continuous-Peak-Inverter/dp/B000FCEQ0S

Although, i'm not completely sure if it's exactly the same. It looks just like that. It says on the one I have 200 Watts, 110VAC.

Look good?