** Phil Thane phil@pthane.co.uk [2017-05-08 19:41]:
This is Linux related, sort of, so I hope ALUG don't mind the apparently random question. (cc'd to my old LUG in Wrexham, they're used to mad questions from me).
I have just bought a canal/river boat and want to use my Linux laptop on it. The PSU for it is labelled 19v, 4.7 amps. The boat runs on 12v. The simplest but quite pricy option is to get an inverter to create 220v AC then use the standard PSU but apart from cost it lacks elegance.
The boat has 2 completely separate circuits (at present, I'll probably re-wire it next winter). There is a 12v battery charged by the engine that is used for the engine starter and a few ancillaries such as the horn and nav lights. The there is another 12v battery charged by a solar panel on the roof used for cabin lights.
If I connect the two in series I should get 24v then I should be able to acquire (or even assemble) a DC-DC voltage regulator to bring it down to 19v.
Anyone see any problems with that?
** end quote [Phil Thane]
Based on my experience of boats on the Broads (closer to what you have probably) and my own sailing cruiser (less use of power and just has a single 12V battery at present) what about looking into chargers as used in cars. I have one for my Lenovo that plugs into the accessories socket in my car and directly into my laptop. I think it is probably just a few components (resistors, etc.) to adjust the voltage inside the plug. It doesn't charge quickly, but does keep things going on the road - or afloat when I wire up a suitable connector; I don't use the laptop often on the water so a fully charged battery does the trick, and in marinas (which I haven't used for years) you now have mains hookup much like camp sites these days.
Oh, hi again, btw. I tend to collect LUG lists, particularly in places I like to visit, hence the ones that cover Wales and Norfolk :) Oh, and Suffolk of course! ;)