RedLancer

I tried to use a power inverter for my laptop in a 777 business cabin. Everytime after a couple of mins I hook up my laptop, there was a beep and the power inverter got no output. Is it because of the max 75W restriction for the power port? My laptop's power adaptor has 75W (15V X 5A) output. Considering the DC->AC and AC->DC conversion, the totoal power consumption may be larger than 75W. But I am not quite sure about that. Can anyone confirm that? What if I use a 64W laptop, will it work?

Traviss

One trick to try if you feel you are right at the power limit is to take out the battery in the laptop - it'll use less power as the battery won't be recharging - then if it is still cutting out then you know the problem is elsewhere, either the power port itself or the inverter.

writetorich

would removing the battery when I am on my long haul AA jfk-nrt flight
Prevent my laptop from getting uncomfortably warm?

With extended use on such a long AA flight , My laptop is more like an oven,
this is very uncomfortable,

Ltgfrk

A few years back I had a Sony laptop with a 17 inch screen. My first flight with it was on a 757 DFW-SJU and I learned quickly that I could not power it while it was on. I of course could charge it while it wasn't running.

MikeBOS

I had a Targus adapter that did this on a regular basis. Switching to iGO (Juice) made the problem go away.

millionmiler

The inverter that my wife uses has the same problem. She can only use it to charge the computer when it is turned off.

Deltahater

Check your model number. Targus had a recall because they could overheat etc. I bought an iGO

swag

My old eMachines drew 90W, and the only solution was to get a new laptop.

In your case, taking out the battery might help. However, you are then 100% relying on aircraft AC power, and if the system interrupts for any reason, the laptop shuts down instantly and you lose whatever you're doing. There's also an increased risk of a hard drive failure when that happens.

JDiver

Electronics having been my profession in another life, I can asure you this is entirely possible - there is no device I know of capable of 100% efficiency. You are entirely correct in your assumption - your 75 watt laptop teeters on the edge of usability on AA without a converter, so to speak.

Will a 64 watt laptop work? Sure, with the caveat just mentioned.

You can try a more modern, efficient converter (I am among those who use an iGo, with all the attendant benefits of having one charger for many devices, including cell phone,) removing the battery as others have suggested, and of course, purchasing a new and less power-hungry computer ready for / using the next OS.

I'm not sure if every airline hews to the 75 W standard AA does, so this is only meant to apply to AA... but I have never had any trouble with my laptop and iGo. And because this sistation does apply to many other airlines, I am porting it over to the approriate Forum, Travel Technology.

RedLancer

Thanks a lot!!!

KBMIFlyer

I have the same problem on my power inverter occasionally.

The one thing that seems to work for me is to turn down the screen brightness as much as I can and still have a reasonable view of the screen. This reduces the power consumption.

ntamayo

Had the same prob with my Dell Precision M60. My 90W adapter far exceeded the power onboard. Followed the previouly mentioned advice of removing the battery.

Ended up buying the iGO Everywhere 130, which powers the LT but doesn't charge the battery. However, I still have to carry the brick in my luggage to recharge while on ground. Not exactly a keen solution.

If only Dell came up with a small gizmo that charges only the battery and has an adapter for iGO.

Non-NonRev

Didn't your iGo adapter come with both AC and DC/cigarette/Empower connectors? The reason I first bought my iGo was to eliminate carrying the manufacturer-provided brick. In fact, the iGo, plugged into AC power, is powering the laptop right now

kennycrudup

I just ran into this same issue with my own 17" Sony (A790, 90W supplied adapter). Setting the screen brightness to the lowest (wasn't really a problem as it was a red-eye) and lowering the CPU to the slowest speed kept it (via a Kensington 120W adapter I use now) from tripping the overcurrent limiter so I could finish up my work (even with the battery attached).

georgehf

I have the same thing from Kensington but it's a 120W. It works great for all of my devices with ac/dc/cigarette, 110v/220v... even on AA. Never tried the empower but it has the adapter.