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Building a Laptop Trickle Charger?

Posted by Cliff on from the recharging-on-the-go dept.

chimpo13 asks: "In 18 months, I'm planning on riding around the world on a 1966 Ducati 250 single. I have some problems, but there's one that can hopefully be answered on Slashdot. I think my Powerbook G3 will take the vibration of the bike, but I'm trying to find out how to trickle charge the laptop battery on my bike. It's a 6 volt bike that will be converted to a 12 volt. Has anyone built a trickle charger for a laptop?"

2 of 53 comments (clear)

  1. Consider a few things... by heldlikesound · · Score: 3, Interesting

    1. In 18 months time handhelds will be even more capable than they are now, not to mention more energy effecient and easier to get online. Plus becuase they use different power schemes, you have more options for recharging the units via the sun, or your bike, etc... Plus, it makes sense to bring a cell phone. A blown tire, or God forbid, a wipe out, could leave you in a tight spot if you have no way to contact somebody. Why not combine your computer and your cell phone in a handheld? NO there are not really great examples of these devices right now, but there WILL be in 18 months!

    2. I assume your trip is similar to backpacking in which we think about every ounce as basically "costing" us carrying energy and the ability to bring something. In this case, taking a computer like a Powerbook G3 (like the Walstreet, Pismo, or Lombard) is pretty expensive weight-wise, if HAVE to take a computer, bring a 12" iBook.

    3. If you choose to go the PDA route, think about using the weight you save to bring a really nice SLR digital camera, instead of a little canon Elph or something... Also, GPS would be nice, but by that time i imagine it will be in the PDA that i describe above.

    Mind you, i am putting a bit of faith in the steady progression of handheld devices, but i don't think that is unreasonable given the inevetiable convergence of cell phones and PDA's...

    Now a question for you....

    How did you get off work for that long!!!?!?!?!?!??!

    Good luck!

    --


    Cloud City Digital: DVD Production at its cheapest/finest
  2. Re:HUH by BigBir3d · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Considering Ducati's of that era have absolutely horrid electrical systems, I would use a seperate battery for the charger. At some point, you will most likely use it as a spare for the bike anyhow. I can not highly recommend enough going for a gel battery, no worries about loss of fluids during accidental tip overs, no boiling off in hot weather etc.

    I would like to post any pictures from your trip... www.yzedf.com