Need to charge your tablet or laptop computer off-grid? This video shows you how to do it.
Hello Operators.
In this latest video we go through charging our Microsoft Surface or similar laptops and tablets off-grid, using the same 12 volt batteries which power our ham radio gear.
The Microsoft Surface needs a 15 volt, 45-watt USB-C PD adapter. I always suggest taking an adapter which has a minimum of 60-watts, 5-20 volt 3-5 amps on the USB-C PD (Power Delivery) port. Be careful when purchasing multi-port devices, as the total of all ports may equal 100-watts, rather than a single port providing the power and overhead we need.
Don’t feel any pressure to use the adapters linked here. As I said in the video, now you have enough information to choose your own adapter. That said, this is one of the 100-watt USB-C PD adapters I’ve tested.
This one was sent over from KC5DJT via Patreon. He says this model is a great way to get rid of the cigarette lighter socket used in the video. The voltage display is also a nice feature. I’ve been struggling to setup and nice battery monitor for a few weeks now, but might abandon that effort for something as simple as this.
I have not tested it, but will order one for sure.
Special thanks to KC5DJT for sending this over. https://amzn.to/3LMlRrS
100-watt USB-C PD adapter similar to the one seen in video: https://amzn.to/3SqdTIT
Some of you have asked for a link to the USB multimeter used in the video. This device measures and diplays power, amps, and voltage of the USB-C and USB-C PD device attached to it. It is essential kit for finding out the true load your USB-C devices are putting on your ham radio battery pack.
Here you go: USB-C Multimeter used in the video: https://amzn.to/3YE5jdF
- Disclosure: The links above are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
Other Microsoft Surface related content on the blog: https://oh8stn.org/blog/category/microsoft-surface/
This is the Power Queen 50ah LiFePO4 battery used for creating this video. It’s small, lightweight, and packs a great punch. I keep this around as a grab-n-go battery. Use discount code JULIANOH8STN for a small discount on Power Queen regional websites.
- United States
https://ipowerqueen.com/?ref=0q1c0pan - Europe
https://www.ipowerqueen.de/?ref=732d60hj
Thanks for watching.
73
Julian oh8stn
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@oh8stn
Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/OH8STN
Blog: https://www.oh8stn.org
Looking for ways to support the blog & channel?
Support the channel by shopping on Amazon, ebay, at Battery Hookups or GigaParts.
For GigaParts and Battery Hookup, use my callsign for a small discount.
Alternatively, drop a little something in the TipJar. It really makes a difference.
- OH8STN on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/oh8stn
- Join YouTube channel member: https://oh8stn.net/YT_
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
- Buy me a rootbeer https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/oh8stn
- GigaParts: https://oh8stn.net/GigaParts
- Shop at Battery Hookup: https://oh8stn.net/batteryhookup
- Shop on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3P9Zq28 #sponsored
- Shop on eBay : https://oh8stn.net/ebay #sponsored
Buy an N9SAB Antenna on eBay https://ebay.us/OVVZcG #sponsored
Join the discussion