Lew

Hey... has anyone installed a normal AC plug in their car? I think this would be extremely convenient.

shawhite

you would do this by installing a power inverter... you can buy them almost anywhere... they will turn the 12v dc from you cars aux plug (cigarette lighter) to ac... or of course you can direct wire then to the battery or fuse box if you dont want to lose the cigarette lighter...

Lew

i was actually thinking of a direct wire and mounting a plug somewhere in the car to make it seemless

shawhite

that should be easy enough... find a 12v acc slot in the fuse box and just wire into it...

2007AcuraRL

you'd just have to stash an inverter somewhere in the car, and then mount and hardwire an electrical outlet somewhere to plug into. hrmmmmmm, a car with Romex wiring in it. In all my 15 years as an installer, i never did see THAT one...

Made In USA

Whoa! I wouldn't use Romex. Something stranded--around 18 gauge. An old utility extension cord (you know, the orange ones) would be perfect.

Actually, this is something I've been thinking of doing myself but just haven't had the time yet. I was thinking of using the right-side door where the trunk-opening button would be if it was the driver's door. For the laptop...

I also like that one idea about using the center-console ashtray in the back. Don't remember whose idea it was, but Yaron2 posted a quesiton about it recently.

My biggest worry is about noise. I don't want to place the cord or the inverter somewhere and hear hums out the speakers. Anyone know if this is something we have to deal with in our cars?

Lew

I was having trouble with locations, but the two that you pointed out would actually work very well. Two plugs could easily fit in the center-console ashtray in the back, and having a fiberglass fill to mount the two plugs would be a nice touch. I'm going to see if i can start work on that this weekend. I'll also see if an inverter can fit inside the hollow space in the center console.

Can anyone help me with the wiring? I've not taken apart a 12V car adapter before. I'm not quite sure how i would directly wire it into the vehicle's harness. Thanks.

dordal

If all you want to do is use a laptop, you should get a direct DC-DC converter. You can find them on eBay for just about any laptop (search for "auto air <laptop model name>", i.e. "auto air latitude c400").

They are WAY more efficient than going 12V DC from the car to 120V AC, and then back to 12-24V DC. I've got one for my laptop, and it lives in the deeper container underneath the center armrest. It plugs in there too, so I never even have to take it out.

Yaron2

I just sent you a PM

Made In USA

Yeah, I was looking at that about a year ago. The thing is, I'd rather do it that way too, but not for $90-100. When I bought it, the decision was either that or get the inverter for around $40 and I can use it with anything that requires 120VAC.

dordal

I paid about $25 for my laptop adaptor.... did you check eBay?

If you buy them new, they are $$$$

drcookie

If you are looking for mobile AC source for your laptop, cellphone, camcorder or for travelling moms --- breastpump, this might work for you.



It's on crutchfield.com for $29.99. You might be able to get somewhere else with cheaper price.

Hope this helps.

Cheers !!!