Can I use a 65w Dell 12v charger with a 12v socket in my motorhome?

[tim9954]

Hello everyone, we're not very knowledgeable when it comes to motorhome electrics and so are looking for some advice please.

Our motorhome has a 12v socket in the lounge area which is labelled '12v' and '6 amp' (see photo attached to this post). We would like to use the socket to charge a Dell laptop when we are not plugged into mains power and are 'off grid' on 12v, leisure battery power only.

We have found a listing on eBay UK (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/27573210...d=link&campid=5338547443&toolid=20001&mkevt=1) which is for a 65w Dell 12v charger. The eBay listing shows that the charger 'input' is 11-16v and 8 amps (see photo attached to this post), which seems to be above what the socket in our motorhome is rated for in terms of amps. That said, we understand that to get 'watts', we multiply voltage by amps, and when we multiply what the 'output' voltage and amps of the Dell eBay charger are (19.5v and 3.34 amps - see photo attached to this post), we get 65w. This seems to be below the maximum wattage our socket seems capable of supplying, which we calculate to be 72w (12v x 6 amps).

We are worried that the charger will be too demanding for the socket. Would we be able to use the 65w Dell eBay charger with no problems? Or will it pull too much in terms of amps and damage the motorhome socket electrics, or maybe damage the laptop if the socket cannot supply the 8 amps?

Sorry if this is an elementary question, we are learning! Many thanks in advance for your replies.


T

 

[tonka]

The item you show is for mains 240v !!!!!
It takes mains in and gives DC out. It's not for 12v input !!!
You can see the mains plug in the picture, all the other leads are to adapt the output connection.

 

[pappajohn]

The item you show is for mains 240v !!!!!
It takes mains in and gives DC out. It's not for 12v input !!!
You can see the mains plug in the picture, all the other leads are to adapt the output connection.

Agreed, but why does it show 12v 8amp directly below the 230v 1amp input.
Then the dc output at 19v
And, why is there a cig lighter plug shown and the description says cig lighter 12v charger.
I my opinion its both AC and DC input.

 

[Boldly]

The item you show is for mains 240v !!!!!
It takes mains in and gives DC out. It's not for 12v input !!!
You can see the mains plug in the picture, all the other leads are to adapt the output connection.

Says AC or DC. OP was querying the amps difference. Sorry I don't know the answer.

 

[Boldly]

Sorry too slow as ever

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[tim9954]

Yes, I think there's the option for powering with a mains plug or a 12v cigarette lighter plug.

 

[tonka]

And, why is there a cig lighter plug shown and the description says cig lighter 12v charger.
I my opinion its both AC and DC input.

Interesting if it is. Never seen anything like that before.

 

[Nanniemate]

I have one of these works ok

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00HSGV1PW?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

[Aireworth]

I don't know about your particular conditions, but I have used one like this on the 12v sockets in our leisure area for a couple of years with no problems. It will very rarely take full stated amps, I'd have thought.

 

[Barti Ddu]

I use on of these without issue with a Lenovo laptop plugged into the cig socket in the habitation area of our MH. I presume that Dell make something similar.

Lenovo 65W USB-C DC Travel Adapter

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[Orion]

I use a couple of 12v chargers similar to this to power both a 22” LG Smart TV and laptop in the van.

ASHATA Universal Power Supply AC Adapter, 80W DC Car Notebook Charger Power Adapter + 8 Connector Plug, Multifunction Notebook Power Adapter with Charging Plug for Car/Travel/Home Use https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07PVK3ZX8/?tag=mhf04-21

 

[tim9954]

Thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions, I'm thinking I should be OK and have other options to check out too - your replies are much appreciated!