• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Using a UPS for a Laptop

N

NotALlama

Member
I'm going to be going to Japan soon, and am going to be bringing my old laptop (Pentium 233) to watch stuff during the flight. I've got two batteries for the thing, but they only provide about an hour runtime each. One thing I've heard is that sometimes, depending on your flight class, you don't get DC jacks to power your portables. So, what I was thinking is to take a UPS in my carryon to power the laptop.

I have a few questions though. This laptop doesn't draw much power, and probably takes less than 60W at max. They normally rate the UPS system run times in terms of a desktop computer and a 15" CRT. I would get a considerably longer runtime with my laptop then, right? Wouldn't it be far more worth it to run off a UPC with a much bigger battery than the laptop in a backpack?

Also, I've heard that UPS systems make noise and would disturb other people. However, I thought that UPS systems only beep when they are overloaded? Do they make any other noise that I should be aware about?

Thanks for any replies, and please don't respond back with something like, "Go out and buy another REAL laptop battery." I'd appreciate it!
 
The last several flights I have been on have connectors that will accept a laptop's normal A/C adapter. A UPS would be a big, heavy, clunky item, and you may have a big problem with it at airport security.

I would just go with my standard laptop and power brick, and get a Targus connector adapter for air travel. Check this out.

PWR

The more I think about it - the more a UPS is a bad idea - also - it may be verboten - most are wet cell battery-based.
 
google is your friend:

ver·bo·ten Pronunciation Key (vr-btn, fr-)
adj.

Forbidden; prohibited.


[German, past participle of verbieten, to forbid, from Middle High German, from Old High German farbiotan. See bheudh- in Indo-European Roots.]
 
www.seatguru.com

Lets you find out if the airline and type of plane your on with that airline offers power ports and where on the plane they are located by seat...

ie; on some American Airline jets, they are located every other row.
 
Originally posted by: FlyingPenguin
I'd pay good money to see the security people scrutinize that UPS...
Click to expand...

That's so . . . American! :|

I checked the planes out that I'd be flying, and I'm definitely not going to have power unless someone pays for a first class ticket. Should I contact the airlines to see if it's legal to bring a UPS onboard?

Thanks for the help so far.
 
Originally posted by: NotALlama
I'm going to be going to Japan soon, and am going to be bringing my old laptop (Pentium 233) to watch stuff during the flight. I've got two batteries for the thing, but they only provide about an hour runtime each. One thing I've heard is that sometimes, depending on your flight class, you don't get DC jacks to power your portables. So, what I was thinking is to take a UPS in my carryon to power the laptop.

I have a few questions though. This laptop doesn't draw much power, and probably takes less than 60W at max. They normally rate the UPS system run times in terms of a desktop computer and a 15" CRT. I would get a considerably longer runtime with my laptop then, right? Wouldn't it be far more worth it to run off a UPC with a much bigger battery than the laptop in a backpack?

Also, I've heard that UPS systems make noise and would disturb other people. However, I thought that UPS systems only beep when they are overloaded? Do they make any other noise that I should be aware about?

Thanks for any replies, and please don't respond back with something like, "Go out and buy another REAL laptop battery." I'd appreciate it!
Click to expand...


I think another issue you run into with the UPS plan is that those things are HEAVY. Even the small models are a hefty lot, so trying to carry that around will not be fun. Between that, the beeping, and the security issues, I don't think that's a good plan. You'll have to hope for a plug in the plane.

 
That's so . . . American!
Click to expand...

Sensible really. Most UPS batteries are wet cell lead acid batteries, and have the potential to leak sulphuric acid if severely disturbed. Acids do bad things to the aluminium alloys that aircraft are built from. Even a small battery acid spill can condemn an aircraft requiring the affected part of the fuselage to be identifed, removed and replaced.
 
Originally posted by: Mark R
That's so . . . American!
Click to expand...

Sensible really. Most UPS batteries are wet cell lead acid batteries, and have the potential to leak sulphuric acid if severely disturbed. Acids do bad things to the aluminium alloys that aircraft are built from. Even a small battery acid spill can condemn an aircraft requiring the affected part of the fuselage to be identifed, removed and replaced.
Click to expand...

That really should be a problem, because all types of batteries are really dangerous and corrosive if tampered with, including laptop batteries. I could definitely open one unit up and desolder the alarm no problem. Should I contact the airline to see if having one aboard is a problem?
 
first of all, yes it will work . . . my power went out in my home and i was able to nef OT . . . uh, post, for hours on my notebook and a UPS

secondly, those things are HEAVY . . . heavier than your notebook and all it's accessories 😉

for $99 just get a bigger notebook battery
(carry 3 notebook batteries)

===================

Originally posted by: Mark R
That's so . . . American!
Click to expand...

Sensible really. Most UPS batteries are wet cell lead acid batteries, and have the potential to leak sulphuric acid if severely disturbed. Acids do bad things to the aluminium alloys that aircraft are built from. Even a small battery acid spill can condemn an aircraft requiring the affected part of the fuselage to be identifed, removed and replaced.
Click to expand...
You're confusing an Alien's notebook battery's blood with the OP's 😛
:roll:


😀
 
The problem is that the batteries for this laptop only last 1-1.5 hours. I really don't want to have to be changing the battery 4 times to only have a total runtime of 6 hours on a plane trip greater than 11 hours. Any suggestions?

I also noticed that UPS systems contain sealed Lead-Acid batteries or the like, as compared to what many stated "old wet batteries". I asked the airline about it, so hopefully I'll see some light on that matter.
 
Yeah - if cost is such a great factor - why not pay $3 for the headphones and watch whatever everyone else is watching? 🙂

BTW - the airline is only your secondary concern about getting a UPS on board. The biggest hurdle will be getting it by the TSA inspectors. It could easily be a new package for a bomb. I would envision it as confiscated at the airport.

Also - if you snooze for half the flight - you only need about 5 hours of run time. Yeah - it's a long flight to Japan - I've done it at least 6 times.

Bon voyage!

 
Calling the airline accomplishes very little other than if you want instructions on how to transport checked luggage. Carry on luggage is subject to the scrutiny of contracted airport security and TSA. All of whom are not known for their intellectual prowess. If they see something big, heavy, contained, with funny little lights on it then you can bet you're going to get hassled. Enough so to at least have your object confiscated, if not have you detained temporarily, but long enough to miss your flight.

If you MUST do it, then be sure to buy a new unit and take it with the full packaging, along with receipt from where you bought it from. Take it in a shopping bag or something, although they are big-ass heavy so I'm not sure this is feasible at all.
 
I've read all the information about prohibited items, and the only thing that the TSA and NW disallow are spillable (wet) batteries. Seeing as though I'll get a new one, which is sealed, and will be one of those ones that are integrated into a big power strip, I'm sure that size won't be that large of a problem. I've contacted both the TSA and NW to make sure, so here's hoping all goes well . . .
 
If you want to carry that big slug - more power to you. If you are travelling in economy class - you might not have room for it. But - go for oit and let us know how it all worked out. Have a great trip.
 
For the love of God, get a freakin' new laptop already. A 233MHz laptop? You've got to be kidding me. What the hell are you going to be watching on a 233 machine? I know that thing didn't come with a DVD drive.
 
It's a Thinkpad 560X, and with all the action it's seen, I've taken the plastics off the thing. It weighs around 2 lbs and is ultrathin, so you can see why I like it for being a poor man's laptop. (I'm a college student.)

With reguards to movies, I just transcode my DVD rips to a lower resolution and lower bitrate. My laptop can handle that, and it looks decent for a 12" screen. No complaints here other than the battery life is a bit short. (1-1.5 hours/charge)
 
Originally posted by: NotALlama
What's this verboten?

And $99 for that adapter doesn't look like such a hot deal, sir.
Click to expand...

Originally posted by: bob4432
google is your friend:

ver·bo·ten Pronunciation Key (vr-btn, fr-)
adj.

Forbidden; prohibited.


[German, past participle of verbieten, to forbid, from Middle High German, from Old High German farbiotan. See bheudh- in Indo-European Roots.]
Click to expand...



Sprechen sie Deutsch? NEIN!


Just get a PSP and a 1GB Memory Stick and Copy the movies on to that or just buy a bunch of umd's. If that fails take a bunch of Tylenol Simply Sleep and you can totaly kill boredom.

Or you can save your self the embaresment of tons of Japs laughing at your patheticly old laptop and get one of These

 
Originally posted by: vegetation
Calling the airline accomplishes very little other than if you want instructions on how to transport checked luggage. Carry on luggage is subject to the scrutiny of contracted airport security and TSA. All of whom are not known for their intellectual prowess. If they see something big, heavy, contained, with funny little lights on it then you can bet you're going to get hassled. Enough so to at least have your object confiscated, if not have you detained temporarily, but long enough to miss your flight.

If you MUST do it, then be sure to buy a new unit and take it with the full packaging, along with receipt from where you bought it from. Take it in a shopping bag or something, although they are big-ass heavy so I'm not sure this is feasible at all.
Click to expand...

Not to mention all the lead in those batteries buried deep inside of that thing will look rather suspicous when it goes through the x-ray scanner.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top