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    Charging laptop via firewire cable?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by geekydude, Jan 27, 2007.

  1. geekydude

    geekydude Notebook Geek

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    I have a cigarette lighter <-> firewire charging cable for my Palm GPS unit. The firewire connector is type 2, and fits the firewire socket on my Dell Inspiron E1405. Anyone knows if I plug it into my laptop, would the cable charge my laptop as well?
     
    geekydude, Jan 27, 2007
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  2. ajfink

    ajfink Notebook Deity

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    You might kill your laptop if you try that.
     
    ajfink, Jan 27, 2007
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  3. Gautam

    Gautam election 2008 NBR Reviewer

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    You cannot charge a notebook via a firewire cable. The IEEE1394 connection on your notebook only outputs a small amount of power (to run devices).
     
    Gautam, Jan 27, 2007
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  4. CalebSchmerge

    CalebSchmerge Woof NBR Reviewer

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    You would need an inverter for your car that was capable of providing enough power. There are two ways: First is the inverter, then plug your notebook into the inverter with the usual power adapter. The second option is to buy a travel adapter, either from Dell (assuming they sell one) or from Targus or someone like that. The first is the cheapest, but the second would be more convenient.
     
    CalebSchmerge, Jan 27, 2007
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  5. who8mahrice

    who8mahrice Notebook Evangelist

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    That's like trying to run the laptop off of one AA battery :p
     
    who8mahrice, Jan 27, 2007
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  6. Gator

    Gator Go Gators!

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    Uh guys you aren't seeing the obvious here: this man is asking if he could plug an output cable into an output port. If somehow this contraption fits, the current output from his firewire port would struggle valiantly against the current output from his cigarette lighter, lose, and get fried along with half of his motherboard.

    Also, while The Professor's advice on making a custom power adapter will work, the power you get will be "dirty" and susceptible to fluctuations that could again fry something in your laptop. His other suggestion is the better option by far. Seriously, when it comes to power for your PC or laptop, play it really really safe unless you enjoy getting your RMA requests denied should something happen.

    Don't do it man!

    P.S. I have a regular 120V AC outlet in my car that I can turn on with the push of a button. Charges everything short of my waffle iron. Boy, am I lucky or what.
     
    Gator, Jan 27, 2007
    #6