Provide 100+ watts through USB-C

[sgrimm]

I'm trying my best to avoid an inverter on our boat. We have 660 watts of solar and trying to figure out how to power a notebook. It's a brand new Dell that is powered through a USB-C cable. The AC-DC converter that came with it is rated at 130 watts going through the USB-C connector!

I've found several cigarette lighter adapters that can provide 50 watts through USB-C but nothing more powerful. This will charge the notebook while it's off but won't power it while it's on.

Anyone have any thoughts how I can power directly through DC? I really don't want an inverter.

[StuM]

> I've found several cigarette lighter adapters that can provide 50 watts through USB-C
At what voltage?



USB-C is rated for a maximum of 100W. But is limited to 5A.
IOW, you only get 100W @ 20V. At 12V, you can only get 60W.

You need to know what voltage your AC-DC converter is delivering to your computer and then find a step up converter from 12V to whatever your computer needs.

[Cowpoos]

Get a dc buck boost power supply for the voltage your laptop is and amperage off aliexpress.

[a64pilot]

I doubt you need 100W, I’d be astonished if a notebook pulled that kind of power.
I have never seen a laptop / notebook that you couldn’t buy a DC power supply for, often referred to as an auto power adapter.
Lastly, what’s wrong with an inverter? I have a little 130W pure sine one that runs my TV.
See a 32” TV only pulls something like 60W, that’s why I doubt a laptop pulls 100W.

[sgrimm]

Thanks for the info. maybe it's just a marketing gimmick to say > 100 watts for usbc. Here's the AC-DC converter.

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell...pc-accessories

I couldn't find a voltage. Will look into whatever a DC buck booster is.

[a64pilot]

I chose this route to power my TV, it actually powers the TV and the Dish satellite receiver
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You don’t have to have a large inverter just to power small things, I also have a 2800W pure sine inverter / charger but it would be silly inefficient to use to watch TV with, so I bought the little one just for that.

If a quality inverter, and if correctly sized, there is not much efficiency loss, but to power my TV with the 2800W inverter would have been very inefficient

[dmdelorme]

i have a t450 i was able to order a 12v power supply. It draws about 6 amps when battery is very low and i am using it. When battery is charged it draws about 2 amps when in use and none when i close the lid. it will run for 8 to 12 hours with the larger battery option. i charge the laptop during the day and reduce screen brightness to reduce the load at night. i would recommend this laptop it is mil spec and can take a lot of abuse and is easy to service. they cost more but last much longer. ie less crap in landfill.

[patrickbarbary]

Which Dell is it?

[crwphoto]

Hi Sgrimm - I use this to power my MacBook Pro: BatPower 120W USB-C Laptop Car Charger - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You have to use their USB-C charging cable, not the one that came with your computer. Cheers!

[patrickbarbary]

You will need an inverter. The part you mention, is AC/DC but its 110-220AC to DC.

[patrickbarbary]

Just found this for you if you want to go from your batteries to your Dell: Dell's Auto/Air AC adapter part #A3163198. Sells on Dell.com for $144.99

[Nico Domino]

There are multi voltage adaptors for laptops running of 12v. Picked one up on eBay for around 30AUD. Made for standard cigarette lighter socket.

[gbr]

As Stu said, official USB-C Power Delivery specs specify a maximum of 5 Amps @ 20 volts, so 100W. If they really can deliver 130w, it must be some proprietary mechanism. It's not a simple as just putting 20v on the correct pins though. The specs require a negotiation to prevent you plugging in 20v into something that can't handle it.

In the old days, it was an easy thing to get a buck-boost converter rated at 19v (the usual for laptops) and the correct plug and off you go. However in the OPs case, *if* the laptop accepts USB-C Power Deliver (USB PD) then you can buy something like this:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...55cc4c4dPbEnxb and a 100w usb-c cable and you'll be good to go. Since the OP is 12v you'll want the 926 (I bought the 826 as I am 24v)

[Rohan]

Wow, I had no idea laptops were now using USB-C. What would happen if you simply plugged it directly into a 12v outlet? Wouldn't it still charge, just slower than usual?

Anyway, here's an alternative to using an inverter. Run it through an external battery that you can charge from solar, or a DC or AC outlet. There are lots of different ones on the market. I have a couple of these and I like them:

https://www.rockpals.com/products/ro...-power-station

[CarinaPDX]

Originally Posted by Rohan

Wow, I had no idea laptops were now using USB-C. What would happen if you simply plugged it directly into a 12v outlet? Wouldn't it still charge, just slower than usual?

Noooo!! USB is, by default, always 5VDC. With the more recent USB Power Delivery specs the higher voltages can be negotiated over the data lines, but just jamming in a higher voltage won't work and might even damage something.

Macbooks, among others,, have been powered by USB-C PD for several years now - nothing new. It just needs a USB-C PD power supply (assuming that is what Dell is using, and not some proprietary spec).

Greg