charging with car's AC - how many devices can be charged

Joined
May 2, 2005
Messages
173
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Hello,
I am going on a road trip through NZ and I will be driving a lot and be out in the wild for extended periods of time doing photography work. I have a number of devices that need to be recharged by USB and it looks like my car's cigarette lighter may be the only option at times.

I have an inverter that changes the lighter into a 3 pronged standard plug and I also have a power strip. How many devices can I plug into this power strip to be charged by the car's AC port? Is there any danger there? Obviously I need to be cautious when the car is not running and not kill battery, but while driving; would I risk damage to devices or would it just not charge at all or charge very very slowly?

With the engine off would the power drain from car battery be the same regardless of the amount of items that I am charging?

Sadly these days, we are so dependent on rechargeable batteries. I will need to charge and power these items:

Necessary:
Batteries for Canon DSLR's
AA battery chargers for flash
macbook pro battery (4 yrs old so very little battery life as is...mostly just to keep running while downloading mem cards and backing up on external HD's)

Not completely necessary:
Ipod
Iphone
backup iphone battery

Ideally, at the same time while driving; I'd like to charge an iPod, charge DSLR camera batteries, and power a laptop while backing up onto an ext. HD.

thanks so much for the help and advice!
Cheers,
Micah
 

chscag

Well-known member
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
65,248
Reaction score
1,833
Points
113
Location
Keller, Texas
Your Mac's Specs
2017 27" iMac, 10.5" iPad Pro, iPhone 8, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 Mini, Numerous iPods, Monterey
I really don't have a good answer for you but wanted to warn you about using an inverter which attaches thru the cigarette lighter port. They get hot and can easily blow the fuse of the circuit your lighter is on. Make sure you carry spare fuses along with you.

As for the devices you mentioned, the MacBook Pro and iPhone will likely draw the most current from the charger USB port.
 
OP
W
Joined
May 2, 2005
Messages
173
Reaction score
0
Points
16
thanks so much! So with the AC port, I am better off using that mainly for charging AA's and DSLR batteries? And if it get's too hot the fuse will blow before any damage is done to devices?
 

chscag

Well-known member
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
65,248
Reaction score
1,833
Points
113
Location
Keller, Texas
Your Mac's Specs
2017 27" iMac, 10.5" iPad Pro, iPhone 8, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 Mini, Numerous iPods, Monterey
The AC port should be OK to charge the batteries for your DSLR camera and the AAs. If any over current occurs or the inverter gets too hot, it may blow your auto circuit fuse that the cigarette lighter is on, but there is no danger of overloading or damaging your MacBook Pro or iPhone.
 
C

chas_m

Guest
all this VERY MUCH depends on how much power the inverter puts out and how much ampage the items you want to charge draw.
 
Joined
Feb 14, 2004
Messages
4,781
Reaction score
166
Points
63
Location
Groves, Texas
Do yourself a favor, only charge when the engine's running. Unless you like being stuck in the middle of nowhere with no battery.
And don't exceed the wattage rating of the inverter by plugging too many things in at a time.
 

Shop Amazon


Shop for your Apple, Mac, iPhone and other computer products on Amazon.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
Top