You seem to be in the same boat as I, after having purchased my Inspiron 1150. There isn't an auto adapter to be had from Dell. I'm now researching DC/AC inverters. I've been told that I need a pure sine wave inverter rated at 400 Watts. They are in the $150 to $200 range. Today I purchased a 400 Watt Modified sine wave inverter, ($25 at Costco) but have not worked up the courage to try it, although the tech help at computer stores said it will work. I would think that Dell Tech support would offer alternatives, but I've had no luck.
Maybe you could teach the kids the old "slug-bug" game which might keep them occupied ;) Nah, probably wouldn't work!
I'm using a 400 watt micro inverter. I travel a lot and run GPS software on my 5150, so I need it on and active all the time. This is the best solution I've found, just like running on AC at home. The only downside is that you need to carry the "brick" adaptor and AC cord with you, but I do that anyway to recharge in a hotel room.
I just put this in another thread for a guy with a 9100 (not positive it will work with the power-hungry 9100) but it does list the 5100 (and so I assume 5150 as well) as workable as well as the 8100 so I think your 5150 will be fine.
Small, quiet (no fans) and the only time mine even gets past luke-warm is when I'm running the laptop ***AND*** charging the battery at the same time.....(a sign of a good/strong power source)!
Keep in mind too, that there's a $30 rebate on this. You might be able to find it cheaper elsewhere but for $50 it's a good dc power source!
@Kemo Sabe wrote:
It's good to see someone finally coming out with higher watt adapters. However, the power tip (#118) for the 90 watt 5100 does not fit the 130 watt 5150. I don't think any of the tips would work for the 150 watt 9100 either. But if anyone manages to get this adapter to work with the 5150 or 9100, it would be nice to hear about it. The specs for this adapter say it is 120 watt max, so it's probably a long shot.
@Daggummit!! 130watt on the 5150?? I guess I was ***assuming*** (remember assuming makes an @ out of "u" & "me".......LOL!!) that they were both 90W. That's surprising! I wonder why the heck the 5150 needs the higher wattage adapter?????
Ooooops.....almost forgot my sig---------------------------
6 months (at LEAST) and counting since Dell's known about the 11xx/51xx overheat issue!!! Dell........when are you going to do something about it???
It's good to see someone finally coming out with higher watt adapters. However, the power tip (#118) for the 90 watt 5100 does not fit the 130 watt 5150. I don't think any of the tips would work for the 150 watt 9100 either. But if anyone manages to get this adapter to work with the 5150 or 9100, it would be nice to hear about it. The specs for this adapter say it is 120 watt max, so it's probably a long shot.
I'm sorry guys for any confusion. I truly thought that the 5150 & 5100 would use the same stuff. And if anything, I'd have guessed the 5150 would use *LESS* wattage, not *MORE* . That's just bizarre to me!
Did you happen to buy the model I linked to above?? (There's another version called '300' which just comes with more stuff, but basically same wattage, etc.)
Yes, I bought the same model u linked to. It don't work! The tip I thought would work(118) is for the older(I guess) Inspiron. It will fit my Inspiron 4000. Totally different plug.
I am looking for an alternative. I would not have purchased the 5150 had I known it did not have a dc power supply. The entire reason I bought a laptop was for mobility.
I am a little concerned about using an inverter. What do you all think?
Sarg
I Just got a Inspiron 5150 Monday. I had no idea there was no dc power supply available. I too, use my Notebook with a GPS attached. I bought a targus adapter...Correct, the 118 tip don't come close to fitting.
@sarg863 wrote:
Does the inverter have an effect on your vehicle battery? ...
Good question. I'm not 100% sure about this, but I think (in theory) it draws from the alternator when the vehicle is running, and from the battery when not running. So I guess you could drain the battery if you turn the engine off. The documentation says the inverter will operate with the engine on or off. It comes with two types of connection cables, one that hooks up directly to the battery, and the other plugs into the lighter socket. I use the lighter sock cable, and I have always had the engine running. I also drive a full size SUV with a heavy duty battery. Without doing more research, I'm not sure if there are long-term effects on the battery. As I said, I've only been using it for a couple months.
Yes, I bought direct from the link I provided.
As quietpc indicated, this is a modified sine wave inverter, not true sine. During the first week of usage I did have my Fluke87 RMS multimeter connected to the second outlet to monitor the voltage. It stayed at a steady 115V 60Hz.
Message Edited by Kemo Sabe on 07-28-2004 01:25 PM
Does the inverter have an effect on your vehicle battery? I saw the link you listed. Did you buy direct from them? I am really disappointed about this adapter issue. I have bought 5 Dells personally and another 7 for work (Latitudes). I anticipate buying more for work but if I can't get adapters I may have to look elsewhere. All of the laptops are used in vehicles.
I've been using my 400 watt micro inverter for a couple months. I've had both my 5150 and a 13" TV running off it at the same time without any problem. DC to AC (120V) inverters have a step-up transformer in them, so they have a tendency to get hot. Mine has a small fan on the back, so I have to be careful how I mount it, so as not to block the fan. You also have to carry the "brick" adapter and AC cord with you, but I always carry a spare in my case anyway to use in hotel rooms.
That was going to be my other suggestion was to go waaaaay over the top w/ like a 300W (or more like your 400W) and basically look for either a very HIGH QUALITY "stepped-sine" inverter......
note: Many electrical/electornic gurus will tell you that "stepped" sine is not good for laptops, but I googled enough to find plenty of people using them & willing to take the risk, soooo FWIW......
........anyway........and/or a higher-doller tried & true REAL sine-wave converter in a 300W flavor. Obviously, the *true-sine* would probably work more easily at lower wattages, but if I was gonna spend the $$$ for one, I don't think I'd buy the absolute lowest-wattage just to save a few bucks, I'd probably just fork over the extra & get more than needed just to be sure!!!!!
Am I correct in saying that the sign wave is for noise reduction?
I guessing I don't know. I am thinking of just finding an inverter locally. I need one like by Tuesday. Do you think there would be a problem with a diffferent model and if its not sine wave?
margee
4 Posts
0
July 4th, 2004 00:00
You seem to be in the same boat as I, after having purchased my Inspiron 1150. There isn't an auto adapter to be had from Dell. I'm now researching DC/AC inverters. I've been told that I need a pure sine wave inverter rated at 400 Watts. They are in the $150 to $200 range. Today I purchased a 400 Watt Modified sine wave inverter, ($25 at Costco) but have not worked up the courage to try it, although the tech help at computer stores said it will work. I would think that Dell Tech support would offer alternatives, but I've had no luck.
Maybe you could teach the kids the old "slug-bug" game which might keep them occupied ;) Nah, probably wouldn't work!
jkier
1 Message
0
July 9th, 2004 12:00
Has anyone had any luck finding an adapter or a workaround for the 1150, 5150 models?
Dell should really inform their customers BEFORE they purchase these notebooks.
Kemo Sabe
18 Posts
0
July 23rd, 2004 14:00
I'm using a 400 watt micro inverter. I travel a lot and run GPS software on my 5150, so I need it on and active all the time. This is the best solution I've found, just like running on AC at home. The only downside is that you need to carry the "brick" adaptor and AC cord with you, but I do that anyway to recharge in a hotel room.
http://www.xantrex.com/products/product.asp?did=788
quietpc
285 Posts
0
July 27th, 2004 15:00
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1059745772592&productCategoryId=cat08005&type=product
I just put this in another thread for a guy with a 9100 (not positive it will work with the power-hungry 9100) but it does list the 5100 (and so I assume 5150 as well) as workable as well as the 8100 so I think your 5150 will be fine.
Small, quiet (no fans) and the only time mine even gets past luke-warm is when I'm running the laptop ***AND*** charging the battery at the same time.....(a sign of a good/strong power source)!
Keep in mind too, that there's a $30 rebate on this. You might be able to find it cheaper elsewhere but for $50 it's a good dc power source!
quietpc
285 Posts
0
July 28th, 2004 14:00
@Daggummit!! 130watt on the 5150?? I guess I was ***assuming*** (remember assuming makes an @ out of "u" & "me".......LOL!!) that they were both 90W. That's surprising! I wonder why the heck the 5150 needs the higher wattage adapter?????
Ooooops.....almost forgot my sig---------------------------
6 months (at LEAST) and counting since Dell's known about the 11xx/51xx overheat issue!!! Dell........when are you going to do something about it???
Message Edited by quietpc on 07-28-2004 11:23 AM
Kemo Sabe
18 Posts
0
July 28th, 2004 14:00
quietpc
285 Posts
0
July 28th, 2004 15:00
I'm sorry guys for any confusion. I truly thought that the 5150 & 5100 would use the same stuff. And if anything, I'd have guessed the 5150 would use *LESS* wattage, not *MORE* . That's just bizarre to me!
Did you happen to buy the model I linked to above?? (There's another version called '300' which just comes with more stuff, but basically same wattage, etc.)
sarg863
7 Posts
0
July 28th, 2004 15:00
I am looking for an alternative. I would not have purchased the 5150 had I known it did not have a dc power supply. The entire reason I bought a laptop was for mobility.
I am a little concerned about using an inverter. What do you all think?
Sarg
sarg863
7 Posts
0
July 28th, 2004 15:00
I Just got a Inspiron 5150 Monday. I had no idea there was no dc power supply available. I too, use my Notebook with a GPS attached. I bought a targus adapter...Correct, the 118 tip don't come close to fitting.
Something has gotta give.
Kemo Sabe
18 Posts
0
July 28th, 2004 16:00
Good question. I'm not 100% sure about this, but I think (in theory) it draws from the alternator when the vehicle is running, and from the battery when not running. So I guess you could drain the battery if you turn the engine off. The documentation says the inverter will operate with the engine on or off. It comes with two types of connection cables, one that hooks up directly to the battery, and the other plugs into the lighter socket. I use the lighter sock cable, and I have always had the engine running. I also drive a full size SUV with a heavy duty battery. Without doing more research, I'm not sure if there are long-term effects on the battery. As I said, I've only been using it for a couple months.
Yes, I bought direct from the link I provided.
As quietpc indicated, this is a modified sine wave inverter, not true sine. During the first week of usage I did have my Fluke87 RMS multimeter connected to the second outlet to monitor the voltage. It stayed at a steady 115V 60Hz.
Message Edited by Kemo Sabe on 07-28-2004 01:25 PM
sarg863
7 Posts
0
July 28th, 2004 16:00
Kemo Sabe
18 Posts
0
July 28th, 2004 16:00
quietpc
285 Posts
0
July 28th, 2004 16:00
That was going to be my other suggestion was to go waaaaay over the top w/ like a 300W (or more like your 400W) and basically look for either a very HIGH QUALITY "stepped-sine" inverter......
note: Many electrical/electornic gurus will tell you that "stepped" sine is not good for laptops, but I googled enough to find plenty of people using them & willing to take the risk, soooo FWIW......
........anyway........and/or a higher-doller tried & true REAL sine-wave converter in a 300W flavor. Obviously, the *true-sine* would probably work more easily at lower wattages, but if I was gonna spend the $$$ for one, I don't think I'd buy the absolute lowest-wattage just to save a few bucks, I'd probably just fork over the extra & get more than needed just to be sure!!!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 months (at LEAST) and counting since Dell's known about the 11xx/51xx overheat issue!!! Dell........when are you going to do something about it???
sarg863
7 Posts
0
July 30th, 2004 17:00
I guessing I don't know. I am thinking of just finding an inverter locally. I need one like by Tuesday. Do you think there would be a problem with a diffferent model and if its not sine wave?
sarg863
7 Posts
0
July 30th, 2004 17:00