Chancer Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 G'day,I have an MS Surface Pro 2, i7 8G 500ssd - I love it :-)I am going on a road trip on a motorcycle in a couple of months and there will be times when I do not have access to mains power.I plan to take the Surface as I may need to do some work whilst away.I have a lead that terminates in a plug that fits the Surface.The mains charger for the Surface produces 12 volts.My motorcycle is 12 volt, but the voltage fluctuates between about 10 and 14 volt.My question is - can I safely charge the Surface directly from my motorcycle?Clearly if I get it wrong it could be an expensive mistake.For anybody who answers, if you have any research references that would be helpful and appreciated.Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mp3it Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 I would use a dc/ac converter to be safe. Below is the specifications from a quality power inverter Specifications Output Wave Form Modified Sinewave No-load draw < 0.7 amp (12V DC) Efficiency Up to 90% Input voltage range 10-15.5 VDC Over voltage shutdown over 15.5 VDC Under voltage shutdown under 10 VDC Low voltage alarm Audible at 10.6 VDC Overload shutdown Yes Thermal shutdown Yes Short circuit shutdown Yes AC receptacle Two 3-Prong Warranty 2 year Inverter weight 5.53 lbs Dimensions (W x H x D) 5.59 x 2.72 x 14.92 in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryrynz Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 I wouldn't risk it. As above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 I do have an inverter - which is my fall back provision - but it means more to carry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Owl Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Chancer go look athttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Amacrox-Mobile-75-AX075-TACK1-Laptop-Car-Charger-1A-USB-DC-75W-19V-3-68A-/400860710836?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5d552907b4just need to fit a cigarette lighter socket which is a very small job BUT RUN YOUR ENGINE while doing it bike battery very small Bike alternator like wise if you don't run the engine whilst charging could end up with flat battery. Only just up the road from me a few miles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted June 15, 2015 Author Share Posted June 15, 2015 Thanks for all your responses.I bought one of these; http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2060353.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.X12V+5A+%2860W%29+Car+%2F+Caravan+DC+adapter+%28power+supply%29+for+TOSHIBA+TVs.+Brand+new.TRS0&_nkw=12V+5A+%2860W%29+Car+%2F+Caravan+DC+adapter+%28power+supply%29+for+TOSHIBA+TVs.+Brand+new+&_sacat=0My bike has a DIN socket and the car adapter converts to DIN.It seemed the safest bet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Owl Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 Fair enough thing is I knew there were the items around it was just a case of finding them, thing is mobile charging is a heavy drain so as I said make sure the engine is running i.e. while mobile thing is your 12 volt system probably runs around 14.4V and its a case of smoothing and "Governing" it to the right voltage. Happy travels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted June 15, 2015 Author Share Posted June 15, 2015 Fair enough thing is I knew there were the items around it was just a case of finding them, thing is mobile charging is a heavy drain so as I said make sure the engine is running i.e. while mobile thing is your 12 volt system probably runs around 14.4V and its a case of smoothing and "Governing" it to the right voltage. Happy travelsThanks.I will only charge with the engine running, but it is 1600cc with a battery to match!The bike also has clever electronics (so I'm told) that shut off power to the socket if the battery charge drops near the amount it needs to start the bike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Owl Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 One other thing I almost forgot about but from what you said it should not be a problem a lot of sockets get very hot if used for protracted periods and if mounted in plastic can cause melting, a friend of mine ended up making a separate "Charging socket" that was mounted in metal and had a thermal cut out (bugger knows how he did that) but he had a Charger for a Battery / 12 volt Tv set which was a bit of a monster back then (don't forget I am old 65 nearly 66 ) P.S. I still have a full Bike licence as well back in the day I rode my BSA M20 with watsonian sidecar out to Berlin when I was in the Army since I was military I had to go through the Russian check point at Helmstadt should have seen the Young Russian Officer face when he tried to start it (Opps forgot to tell him about the Valve lifter eheheheheh) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted June 15, 2015 Author Share Posted June 15, 2015 I'm only 3 years behind you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Owl Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 then you will probably remember the BSA M20 btu for those reading who have no ideahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BSA_M20and for those who have no idea what a "Watsonian" Side car is the one I had looked like this onehttp://roadcarvin.com/photos/2008-lotm-1957-watsonian-sidecar/1395And I slept in mine just off the main road in a Tank suit in December and woke up with six inches of snow covering the bike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted June 16, 2015 Author Share Posted June 16, 2015 Once upon a time I had a Lambretta with sidecar - that was scary to ride, handled like a demented pig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Owl Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 AGH!!!!! you wasn't a "Mod" was ya??always been a "Rocker" myself.(see all the kids around here ducking as this fly's over their heads heehehheehhe) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted June 16, 2015 Author Share Posted June 16, 2015 I was, Parka and the trimmings.Now I've migrated to a 1600cc BMW via and 1100cc Honda.Only in the dry weather though. I keep a car for rainy days :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Owl Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 Don't worry I now drive a Mondeo Estate suits disabled Me and the Dogs fine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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