FlyerTalk Forums

FlyerTalk Forums (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/index.php)
-   Travel Technology (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-technology-169/)
-   -   The In Flight Power Knowledge Compendium (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-technology/534424-flight-power-knowledge-compendium.html)

nkedel Mar 13, 2010 12:09 pm


Originally Posted by jasonbond (Post 13568900)
I cant fine a compatitable adapter for my dell. I tried the Kensington and it said it works with the D series, but didnt. And I actually had teh same problem with the adapter I bought from Dell direct. Anyone know of an adapter that would work?

The Targus I've got will run, but not charge, the D620 and D630. I don't have the adapter here to check the model, but I would trust their compatibility checker to give you something that will, in fact work:
http://www.targus.com/us/tipconfigur....aspx?region=1

blahman Mar 22, 2010 3:24 pm

Is power bad for laptop? Flying UA 747 Int'l C.
 
Just realized that the new UA 747 C cabin have a slot for 2 US prongs, and the FA and my seatmate said I don't need any special converters or adapters.

Anyone know if it is bad to plug a laptop with an OEM AC Adapter (60W 20V; the one I use on land) into a plane? Will the lower power or the fluctuations on board damage the laptop?

Thanks.

Eracine Mar 24, 2010 8:19 pm


Originally Posted by blahman (Post 13626830)
Anyone know if it is bad to plug a laptop with an OEM AC Adapter (60W 20V; the one I use on land) into a plane? Will the lower power or the fluctuations on board damage the laptop?

Don't worry - won't be a problem.

True, such power isn't as clean as what you'd normally get on land (as it's quite likely coming off the plane's power inverter that has choppier voltage; the resulting "AC" voltage isn't a super nice sine wave).

Yet OTOH, it's your AC adapter's job to convert AC to DC and it does it pretty well. Trust it. Internal electronics limit the voltage to a steady value that is much lower than the input, capacitors accumulate charge to slightly compensate when needed and low-pass filtering removes some unwanted spikes and noise.

This choppy type of AC you get from such a setup would probably be a no-go for any equipment that was sensitive to line noise, but a laptop AC adapter definitely isn't such a device.

View it like a funnel: Does the agitation of the water surface matter on the steadiness of the output flow? It doesn't (unless it becomes quite catastrophic) - well, same thing with your AC adapter. As long as your laptop requires less than the adapter's rated output power (and less than what the airline provides, at all times :-)), you will be OK.

agentangel Oct 11, 2010 2:14 pm

Will this work on American then?
 
2 Port USB Car Cigarette Lighter Adapter Dual Plug for iPod MP3 Players Charger - Color White
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CC6I5W?

Or this:

http://www.amazon.com/Power-compatib...ef=pd_sbs_ol_6

Thanks!


Originally Posted by nkedel (Post 11671479)
AA is all standard (automotive-style rather than empower) DC ports, and as such a "car adapter" will suffice (which may portable DVD players come with right out of the box, although not all do.)

They may all be updated now, but in the past, some 757s and MD-80s didn't have any, despite the seat maps; the widebodies should all have them.


Bence_Coronation Nov 1, 2010 2:32 pm


Originally Posted by agentangel (Post 14925931)

the review of the second one seems a bit scary

Broke after a year and shorted out every cigarette lighter it got plugged into

nkedel Nov 1, 2010 5:48 pm


Originally Posted by agentangel (Post 14925931)
2 Port USB Car Cigarette Lighter Adapter Dual Plug for iPod MP3 Players Charger - Color White
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CC6I5W?

Should work.

This one is likely to cause the outlet to shut down; the wattage is too high:
300 watts of surge capacity, 175 watts peak power, 150 watts continuous power.
The empower/lighter style outlets might handle a 75-watt inverter. Definitely NOT a 150 watt. You're much better off with a direct DC-to-DC.

chunky649 Jan 2, 2011 2:24 am

Wattage issue
 
I've read the entire thread. It appears that neither my OEM adapter nor Kensington 120W slim unit will work with many planes, which provide ~75W only.

On many flights (747s on DL), I've had the laptop not charge properly because 2 seconds after I plug it in, the power "goes out". I unplug the adapter from the laptop, and the seat outlet, then plug the adapter back in (without laptop), the light comes on. However, 2 seconds after I plug the laptop in, the light goes away. I guess this is the outlet tripping out.

I've yet to try some of the solutions proposed here: (turning off the seat massage-er, turning off the IFE (TV screen) and lights.

2 questions:

1. Does anyone know if Dell E6400 (14-15" laptops) will charge (powered down) with ~75W?

2. Any recommendations on a 75W or lower universal adapter/charger? Or at least one that will TAKE 75W and not "trip out" the plane's outlet?

jkaarstt Jul 3, 2011 9:33 am

I go juice
 
I have been on I-GO website trying to figure out what to get to have power from the airline seat, I don't understand how the I go juice fits into the power plug on airline seats?? Is it the car charger you user for that????

I have not been able to find the In flight usp power unit that was also mentioned (article in a gadget review) I have searched for it. It was from 2006 so there may not be that particular device anymore

I am wanting to have power for my small portable dvd player (multi region), cheapo (Philips) that has as basic DC 9.5V/12V in (with the pin type adaptor for the charger). The battery lasts only about 2 hrs, and the battery that fits on it is heavy. I cant play those dvds on my Apple 17' laptop. We have a 7 hr flight.

I like the I-go stuff, and want to order the juice, but need to know if I will be able to use it for the DVD player

thanks
JK

Prime1Crew Jan 1, 2012 6:17 pm


Originally Posted by thegoderic (Post 6770535)

Originally Posted by JDiver (Post 6069960)
Some places to go to see what you need to stay powered...

Most FTers know about SeatGuru for some airlines' cabin configurations, including which seats have electric power and the type of outlet - but they have recently added the very helpful "The Ultimate Guide to In-Seat Laptop Power Ports" as well. SeatGuru includes helpful hints like:

"Will there be enough power for my device (how many watts can it handle)?

Most airplane power systems are limited to approximately 75 Watts of power draw per seat. This means that your new 17" laptop, with the power-hungry processor, might not get enough juice to operate. Sometimes the laptop will know not to charge the battery and will just operate via the power, but other times the laptop won't work at all, or will work for a short period of time before tripping the power circuit. You can try taking your battery out all together, or buy a smaller laptop.

I use a Kensington 120w adapter to power my IBM T41. My recent experience in getting things powered are:-

BA 777 Generally cannot be guaranteed to work. Normal mode here is to use seat power with laptop off to charge battery, then run laptop off battery only.

bmi 330 Absolutely no problems whatsoever. Only drawback is the power outlet is basically under your backside, which means that you get a warm sensation from the Kensington adapter nestled against your thigh.

KLM (Privatair) Long Haul 737 As BA. Made worse by the fact that your power supply is also used for the portable video player they give you so you can't charge battery and watch a film at the same time.

CO 757 / 767 OK. 757 across Atlantic offer real 110V and works like a dream. 767 is also fine to charge battery and power laptop at the same time.


Prime1Crew Jan 1, 2012 6:21 pm

correct use of in flight power
 
You mention the BA 777 and the charging of batteries, well, actually the power source on board is just that, a power source and is not to be used to recharge or charge batteries... If the laptop ( which BY THE WAY is all it is to be used for ) is no longer in use, it is to be unplugged...

Yaatri Jan 25, 2012 10:21 am


Originally Posted by Prime1Crew (Post 17728183)
You mention the BA 777 and the charging of batteries, well, actually the power source on board is just that, a power source and is not to be used to recharge or charge batteries... If the laptop ( which BY THE WAY is all it is to be used for ) is no longer in use, it is to be unplugged...

Right. Small devices such as cell phone might be charged of on board power, but it's not meant to charge more power hungry gadgets such as a laptop, which can be run off on-board power. It's a good idea to ensure your laptop is fully charged at home or office.

FSUSeminole007 Feb 15, 2012 9:54 am

External Battery for MacBook Pro
 
Does anyone know of an external battery for MacBook Pro Laptops?

I feel like I can get 3 to 3.5 hours out of my laptop battery, but end up needing more on a transcon flights to LAX or SFO.

Any recommendations?

ekwang May 10, 2012 10:28 pm

XPS 15 power problem
 
Was flying Biz First on a re-configured 777-200 I think with the power outlets and those outlets could not power my XPS laptop at all.

Any ideas?

5/21 Update: Upon further research, I just realized that my seating had the Empower in-flight power, but I was not using an appropriate adapter for Empower, hence my laptop's AC adapter would not work with it.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:53 am.


This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.