Laptop power

[L31Sleeper]

My v2 came with a slip of paper that CLEARLY stated that I should NOT
use a power inverter to power my laptop and have my v2 connected to
the vehicle at the same time. So here is my question can I connect my
laptop via 12v (cigarette lighter) power supply WITH my v2 connected
to the same power source.

[JeromeGTO5.7]

Well I had a bad experience using a laptop charger actually skrewed with the vehicle and it wouldn't idle for a while although it took care of itself. I have normally got away with it although i believe it would not be recommended. Joecar ( what would we do without him) told me not to use any sort of power supply with the V2 hooked up to the vehicle and laptop. but maybe someone else can chime in and clarify.

[mr.prick]

Inverters are frowned upon by EFILive.
IIRC one Flashscan device was destroyed while using an inverter
thus the no inverter policy.
I tend to believe a good quality inverter should not hurt anything.

[joecar]

The problem is if the inverter connects vehicle ground to laptop ground... if this connection is at a different potential compared to the vehicle-laptop ground due to the presence of FlashScan, then current will flow in an attempt to equalize the two potentials, usually this current is large, so something will fry.

If the inverter isolates vehicle ground from laptop ground, (i.e. does not allow current to flow between them) then there will be no problem.

Better be safe than sorry.

[L31Sleeper]

So Joe what do you think about a DC to DC laptop power supply.
In my case it's 12v (vehicle) to 18.5v (laptop)

[mr.prick]

I've used this one for about 2 years

[joecar]

Sorry, I don't know how to tell which ones are good... maybe they mention "isolation" in the product spec.