Mac Book pro charging from 12v?

[Eddiex]

I have an older (2015) Mac Book Pro that I would like to charge whilst away from mains power.

I have solar and plenty of 12v sockets but, not being overly 'IT savvy', I'm not sure what I would need to charge my laptop.

I have seen all sorts online from power banks, leads and inverters but I'm none the wiser.

What do you use - is there an easy option?

Thanks

 

[Sunrise]

Fitted 1800watt inverter in our van
It’s best thing we done

 

[Ian Bosman]

I have an older (2015) Mac Book Pro that I would like to charge whilst away from mains power.

I have solar and plenty of 12v sockets but, not being overly 'IT savvy', I'm not sure what I would need to charge my laptop.

I have seen all sorts online from power banks, leads and inverters but I'm none the wiser.

What do you use - is there an easy option?

Thanks

A small inverter to plug the MacBook charger in would do the job. I do this with a 300 watt inverter which takes care of the small things like phone chargers and Macbooks

 

[Pausim]

Many apple products have optimised battery charging which learns your pattern of use. The device then holds the battery charge at 80% and only boosts it to 100% just before your pattern of use suggests you are most likely to use it. For example if you leave the device on charge overnight it will first take the charge to 80% and only go to 100% in the morning shortly before you normally start using it. This improves battery life.

When away from home you may have a different pattern of use and may need to turn off “Optimised Battery Charging” to get a full charge when you choose to put the device on charge.

 

[Eddiex]

The 16.5 volts is what comes out of the plug charger you are holding. You plug the plug into 240volts (inverter) and it then reduces the voltage to 16.5volts.

Thanks - that's how I imagined it might work but I didn't want to risk frying my laptop or indeed my van electrics without asking!

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[Eddiex]

A small inverter to plug the MacBook charger in would do the job. I do this with a 300 watt inverter which takes care of the small things like phone chargers and Macbooks

Thanks for the reply - I was thinking of something like this -

Amazon product ASIN B076P9PGX3

 

[Eddiex]

Many apple products have optimised battery charging which learns your pattern of use. The device then holds the battery charge at 80% and only boosts it to 100% just before your pattern of use suggests you are most likely to use it. For example if you leave the device on charge overnight it will first take the charge to 80% and only go to 100% in the morning shortly before you normally start using it. This improves battery life.

When away from home you may have a different pattern of use and may need to turn off “Optimised Battery Charging” to get a full charge when you choose to put the device on charge.

I didn't know that! Very clever designs. I'll remember to do the battery optimising thing - thanks

 

[Captain Birdseye]

I have an older (2015) Mac Book Pro that I would like to charge whilst away from mains power.

I have solar and plenty of 12v sockets but, not being overly 'IT savvy', I'm not sure what I would need to charge my laptop.

I have seen all sorts online from power banks, leads and inverters but I'm none the wiser.

What do you use - is there an easy option?

Thanks

We bought 12v chaargers for our macbook pro,s a couple of years ago because an inverter is much too ineficient. We got them from this company: <Broken link removed>
Check for the correct model for your laptop.

 

[Captain Birdseye]

I have an older (2015) Mac Book Pro that I would like to charge whilst away from mains power.

I have solar and plenty of 12v sockets but, not being overly 'IT savvy', I'm not sure what I would need to charge my laptop.

I have seen all sorts online from power banks, leads and inverters but I'm none the wiser.

What do you use - is there an easy option?

Thanks

Get one from here. We did for our macbook pro's. Better that an inverter. <Broken link removed>

 

[Krumpli]

When on a site we use the Hook Up for charging the Mac. When touring there are two options. First we charge the laptop as we move along from the piggy lighter. Second option, especially in Greece, we go for the CC&C once a day. In other words we call in a local cafe/coffee shop and charge the laptop, have a coffee and make use of the toilet facilities. It's worth the cost of a delicious Greek coffee.

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[Eddiex]

We bought 12v chaargers for our macbook pro,s a couple of years ago because an inverter is much too ineficient. We got them from this company: <Broken link removed>
Check for the correct model for your laptop.

Thanks for the link. I had seen those. At the moment I'm trying not to buy yet another lead to charge my various devices (especially at the price of £62!) I do however note your comment about inverters being inefficient.

 

[Pausim]

I do however note your comment about inverters being inefficient.

All electronic devices waste some power and it is certainly something to bear in mind when choosing an inverter. I use a Victron Phoenix 12/500 with an efficiency rating of 90%. Bear in mind that the Magsafe system itself is only 75% efficient before losing too much sleep about efficiency. Possibly a more important factor is making sure that the electronics are reliable and safe, whether you are using a 12V charger or an inverter. Poor electronics of any sort can interfere with with devices, particularly touch screens, as mentioned earlier (#24).

I found this article about iPhone chargers revealing and a reminder that buying cheap electronics may not be the best solution.

A dozen USB chargers in the lab: Apple is very good, but not quite the best

When you buy a USB charger, how do you know if you're getting a safe, high-quality charger for your money? You can't tell from the outside...

www.righto.com

 

[Eddiex]

All electronic devices waste some power and it is certainly something to bear in mind when choosing an inverter. I use a Victron Phoenix 12/500 with an efficiency rating of 90%. Bear in mind that the Magsafe system itself is only 75% efficient before losing too much sleep about efficiency. Possibly a more important factor is making sure that the electronics are reliable and safe, whether you are using a 12V charger or an inverter. Poor electronics of any sort can interfere with with devices, particularly touch screens, as mentioned earlier (#24).

I found this article about iPhone chargers revealing and a reminder that buying cheap electronics may not be the best solution.

A dozen USB chargers in the lab: Apple is very good, but not quite the best

When you buy a USB charger, how do you know if you're getting a safe, high-quality charger for your money? You can't tell from the outside...

www.righto.com

Thanks! I didn't read the whole link but the author makes a good investigation! Who'd have thought the conversation about wanting 'simply' charge a laptop should turn out to be so involved!!

Like many people, I am so used to our easy 'plug and play' life but in reality some things are a tad more complicated!

 

[Pausim]

Like many people, I am so used to our easy 'plug and play' life but in reality some things are a tad more complicated!

It can seem complicated and I don’t have the technical knowledge to evaluate these devises myself. Instead I tend to buy known and trusted brands, it may be a little more expensive up front but in the long run I have no regrets.

 

[pau1phi11ips]

Thanks - I see there are a few of these to choose from ranging from about £30 upwards to over £200. Will a cheap one do the job do you think? I'll only be using for the lap top.

Bare in mind that a cheap inverter will likely destroy your MacBook charger. Maybe not immediately but eventually.
It won't be Pure Sine wave even if the Chinese label says it is.

A DC adapter will be a lot more efficient that going 12V DC -> 230V AC -> 19V DC too.

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[Eddiex]

Bare in mind that a cheap inverter will likely destroy your MacBook charger. Maybe not immediately but eventually.
It won't be Pure Sine wave even if the Chinese label says it is.

A DC adapter will be a lot more efficient that going 12V DC -> 230V AC -> 19V DC too.

I always buy 'cheap' and most of the time live to regret it and buy twice!!
I'm tempted to not bother taking a laptop and just use an iPad which seems to be happy to charging on usb.

 

[Carpmart]

I always buy 'cheap' and most of the time live to regret it and buy twice!!
I'm tempted to not bother taking a laptop and just use an iPad which seems to be happy to charging on usb.

Go back to my charger recommendation. They are nicely built, near OEM quality and work very well indeed…

 

[Tombola]

I seen Daz at the urban motorhome youtube channel advertise these for his macbook

EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro Portable Power Station - EcoFlow UK

•Sizeable 768Wh capacity and 800W output. •Provides up to 1.8kWh a day from solar charging. •Fastest recharge 0-100% in only 70 min. •Safest LFP battery provides 10 years of use. •First power station with a TÜV Rheinland safety certification. •X-Boost output to 1600W and runs 80% of high-wattage...

uk.ecoflow.com

Buy EcoFlow RIVER mini Portable Power Station — EcoFlow UK - RIVER mini (Standard) - EcoFlow UK

Official EcoFlow RIVER mini: Standard/Wireless ✓ Power Source: ‎AC/DC ✓ Battery Cell Type: ‎Lithium Ion. Click to learn more!

uk.ecoflow.com

 

[Manic]

I seen Daz at the urban motorhome youtube channel advertise these for his macbook

EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro Portable Power Station - EcoFlow UK

•Sizeable 768Wh capacity and 800W output. •Provides up to 1.8kWh a day from solar charging. •Fastest recharge 0-100% in only 70 min. •Safest LFP battery provides 10 years of use. •First power station with a TÜV Rheinland safety certification. •X-Boost output to 1600W and runs 80% of high-wattage...

uk.ecoflow.com

Buy EcoFlow RIVER mini Portable Power Station — EcoFlow UK - RIVER mini (Standard) - EcoFlow UK

Official EcoFlow RIVER mini: Standard/Wireless ✓ Power Source: ‎AC/DC ✓ Battery Cell Type: ‎Lithium Ion. Click to learn more!

uk.ecoflow.com

That’s a lot of money just to charge a MacBook

 

[Pausim]

I seen Daz at the urban motorhome youtube channel advertise these for his macbook

EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro Portable Power Station - EcoFlow UK

•Sizeable 768Wh capacity and 800W output. •Provides up to 1.8kWh a day from solar charging. •Fastest recharge 0-100% in only 70 min. •Safest LFP battery provides 10 years of use. •First power station with a TÜV Rheinland safety certification. •X-Boost output to 1600W and runs 80% of high-wattage...

uk.ecoflow.com

Buy EcoFlow RIVER mini Portable Power Station — EcoFlow UK - RIVER mini (Standard) - EcoFlow UK

Official EcoFlow RIVER mini: Standard/Wireless ✓ Power Source: ‎AC/DC ✓ Battery Cell Type: ‎Lithium Ion. Click to learn more!

uk.ecoflow.com

For the same money you can get the Bluetti EB70 with safer and more stable LiFePO4 batteries. I have one of these but not usually for charging laptops and phones, for which there are cheaper solutions. I bought mine for home use to charge our e-bikes, which do not have removable batteries and are kept in a car barn where there is no power.

I also found it particularly useful during recent power cuts. During the storms we had two 12 hour power cuts. The second one was overnight and I used it to power my CPAP (medical equipment) whilst I slept. During both power cuts I used it to power our router, which we rely on for phones and internet. There is no mobile coverage where we live and we need wi-fi calling.

BLUETTI EB70 Portable Power Station | 1,000W 716Wh

BLUETTI EB70 UK portable power station is one of the coolest compact power stations. 716Wh capacity is quite enough to power up most of your essential outdoor gear and gadgets.

bluettipower.co.uk

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[VXman]

I bought a cheap 150W inverter about 15 years ago for use in the car and still use it in the motorhome to charge the laptop. I have to use a converter to get it into my hella socket in the van but it still works well.

Can find one the same now but it's similar to this -

150W Car Power Converter Inverter DC 12V To 100V-240V AC Outlets USB2.0 2.1 Amp 7290074990038 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 150W Car Power Converter Inverter DC 12V To 100V-240V AC Outlets USB2.0 2.1 Amp at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

This looks a bit nicer but there are loads out there.

Amazon product ASIN B0111YIFK0

 

[nabsim]

I always buy 'cheap' and most of the time live to regret it and buy twice!!
I'm tempted to not bother taking a laptop and just use an iPad which seems to be happy to charging on usb.

You must do what you feel happy with as it’s your risk. For many years I used a Bestek 300W modified sine wave inverter to charge my 2013 model year MacBook Pro without any problems and almost no overhead for the inverter. My wife’s later MacBook Air did not charge properly from the inverter as it needed slightly more than the inverter delivered.

 

[cyberyacht]

I'd always be cautious about modified sine wave and sensitive electronic kit.

 

[nabsim]

I'd always be cautious about modified sine wave and sensitive electronic kit.

My MacBook has a power ‘brick’ and generally they filter what’s coming in to protect what is connected. I say generally as it probably depends on the quality of the parts.

I have no hesitation connecting any electrical equipment that has a power brick charger to modified sine wave inverters and to date never had a problem, with laptops, karcher window vac, Dyson hoover and beard trimmer along with eScooter battery. It’s more things without a power brick that are likely to get damaged in my experience.

Of course peace of mind is worth a lot so if in doubt do what makes you happy