Power Inverter and Scanner

[River Hill]

I need a power inverter for my truck and I am looking for some suggestions. I will be using it to power a laptop. I am also looking for a way to scan time sheets out in the field and this is the only thing I have come up with http://www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com/docupen/ Does anyone have any other ideas? I know most of my subs have other jobs and I am looking for a way to get the time sheets quicker so I can process things quicker. The quicker I process time sheets the quicker I can pay my subs.

[Pelican]

Rather than an inverter, you ought to be able to find a power supply to plug in to your truck. What you'll be doing with an inverter is boosting voltage to 110, then dropping it back down with the laptop power supply. Find out what voltage your power supply puts out and get one of the same voltage that plugs directly into the truck.

[wyldman]

Most 12V laptop vehicle adapters are expensive,and can only be used for that device.

An inverter is much cheaper,and can run any 120V device as long as it has enough wattage.

A 3-400 watt inverter should do just fine,and can be had for less than $50 or so.

I wouldn't use any fancy scanners in the truck.Just quickly punch the hours into your laptop,or use a Pocket PC and sync back at the office.

[River Hill]

Thanks for the advice guys. I already have a Dell Axim pocket pc, so I might go that route instead of the scanner. I will let you all know what I come up with.

[jbutch83]

I don't remember the brand that we use, but we use an inverter in our squad cars to power our laptops. The power supply has a cigarette plug on it, then the power cord for the laptop plugs into the power supply. I will look at it tonight, it has been sitting in the garage for the past couple of months.

John

[Robh]

Dont make the mistake I did. I went out and bought a inverter that was rated for 200 watts that plugged into the lighter socket. Well that pop'd the 20 amp fuse in a short time. So I took it back and I bought a 300 watt hard wired unit from radio shack and it works like a gem. Now I could have found a cheaper one but I do some traveling and I wanted to be able to buy one that if it failed I could replace in no time. Good luck....Rob

[RHarrah]

I have a power inverter to power my lap top, a printer in the back seat and another outlet for whatever else I need to plug in. Make sure to add up your power needs and get a unit big enough to run everything that you might think you will use.

[snowjoker]

Power inverters draw juice while hooked up and not even turned on so when your done you should disconnect the power line to it. They can be had fairly cheap. I picked up my 750 watt inverter from carquest for like 60 bucks on sale....

[finnegan]

i always run a 1500 watt inverter in the truck just in case you need power somewhere-real handy when the powere goes off at home-dont have to fire up the generator-i bought a dedicated battery and charger and a 2000watt marine one for the house so i can run house lights and tv when the powers out...