Need ideas to power a PC ...

[baskenuta]

Hi,

I need to connect a PC. It will have a 750w power supply +40w monitor + 20w router +20w modem.

I researched the Ankher Solix C1000, it's my fav right now, problem is it will only last 1 hour.

I need something to last at least 5... preferably 10.

Give me your innovative ideas how to make this happen.

 

[baskenuta]

I know solar is good, but

Is there a generator that will last this long, that doesn't cost $10,000?

 

[DonTom]

Give me your innovative ideas how to make this happen.

Why can't you use a laptop?

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[baskenuta]

What can't you use a laptop?

-Don- Auburn, CA

No.

 

[baskenuta]

What can't you use a laptop?

-Don- Auburn, CA

I might have to, or under volt the PC to ~300 watts.

 

[baskenuta]

This looks like a good idea.

 

[baskenuta]

Wait, why will an ankher last 1.1 hours at 900w but someone said a ahttps://youtu.be/rZGhCsYduLA?si=fOV0A6PmZstcPw3W and that battery will last five?

 

[DonTom]

This looks like a good idea.

For a couple of hours or so.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[workinonit]

That's a lot of trouble when a laptop with an added screen and external keyboard works very well. It's what I use every day. Mine will run all day on the battery. Also a small 2K generator from Tractor Supply for around 500 bucks is a good option. Very quiet and it's an inverter so clean power.

 

[Domo]

What RV do you have?

We had a pull-behind years ago and it was pretty simply to put in a couple of Group 32 batteries and use the onboard inverter. Also put a couple of solar panels on the roof which assisted during the day - plus, when towing, our tow vehicle had an active charge line going to the RV.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

a PC. It will have a 750w power supply

I know you're seeing that somewhere on a spec sheet or label somewhere, but I'm having a hard time imagining a PC that continuously draws upwards of a kilowatt. Before I went too far down a rabbit hole coming up with kWh's of storage and inverters, quantify the problem first. My bet is the average draw is much less and the power you need not nearly as great as you're seeing now. Ideally you have said PC at hand and can instrument it up (Kill-A-Watt, et al) to see just how much power, peak and average, it draws during the course of a typical operating session. From there you can scale your power source accordingly.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[Isaac-1]

Notice in that video how the guy never talks about how he would recharge that battery, and never mentions adding a battery charger to the setup

 

[TheBar]

I'm using a laptop right now with a wireless keyboard and mouse, connected to a flat screen TV. It's an Intel 12th gen which can probably do what your PV can do. The power supply is 70w max. For about 10% of your PC's 750 watt draw. With an external keyboard, mouse, and big monitor why do you need a desktop PC?

 

[Kirk]

Are you wanting to use it in an RV without any utility connections? If not, what?

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

That 750 watt power supply rating is the maximum it can produce, with every output at max load. Unless you have a lot of 12v stuff to power , e.g. spinning disks, it probably pulls less than 300w. My home desktop system is well equipped but still has just a 460W power supply and rarely draws even half that capability in actual use.
For example, a powerful Intel Core I9 cpu can consume around 300W at peak use, but system RAM memory and SSD drives add very little to that.
As others have suggested, get yourself a Kill-O-Watt and measure what you actually need.

 

[baskenuta]

Hey guys so many amazing replies so heres a thwnk you .so I csn undervolt the pc to friend 300w.

That's a lot of trouble when a laptop with an added screen and external keyboard works very well. It's what I use every day. Mine will run all day on the battery. Also a small 2K generator from Tractor Supply for around 500 bucks is a good option. Very quiet and it's an inverter so clean power.

The rhing is with a laptop I csnt upgrade the components in the future.

That 750 watt power supply rating is the maximum it can produce, with every output at max load. Unless you have a lot of 12v stuff to power , e.g. spinning disks, it probably pulls less than 300w. My home desktop system is well equipped but still has just a 460W power supply and rarely draws even half that capability in actual use.
For example, a powerful Intel Core I9 cpu can consume around 300W at peak use, but system RAM memory and SSD drives add very little to that.
As others have suggested, get yourself a Kill-O-Watt and measure what you actually need.

True, what is the tester called I need to buy?(sorry door dashing rn so just replying quickly)

What RV do you have?

We had a pull-behind years ago and it was pretty simply to put in a couple of Group 32 batteries and use the onboard inverter. Also put a couple of solar panels on the roof which assisted during the day - plus, when towing, our tow vehicle had an active charge line going to the RV.

I have a car, lol. ... life situation

 

[baskenuta]

That 750 watt power supply rating is the maximum it can produce, with every output at max load. Unless you have a lot of 12v stuff to power , e.g. spinning disks, it probably pulls less than 300w. My home desktop system is well equipped but still has just a 460W power supply and rarely draws even half that capability in actual use.
For example, a powerful Intel Core I9 cpu can consume around 300W at peak use, but system RAM memory and SSD drives add very little to that.
As others have suggested, get yourself a Kill-O-Watt and measure what you actually need.

What GPU do you have? And do you run games / streaming software like OBS and edit videos etc?


How much did you pay for it.

BTW do you guts know where I csn find a public AC outlet i can run an extension cord from?

 

[DonTom]

BTW do you guts know where I csn find a public AC outlet i can run an extension cord from?

Use Plugshare to find such. It even shows outside 120 VAC outlets. But some will be restricted, others open to all, so read the notes at each location.

I have seen an ICE Class B using a J-1772 EV charge station (240 VAC), most likely with a transformer, such as this one. Most likely just to power stuff, probably not charging anything (no way for me to know for sure).

Was most likely parked there for the night.

But my point is that is it easy to find AC voltage on the road these days in most areas.

Put parking a large vehicle could be an issue in most areas.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

what is the tester called I need to buy?

Kill-A-Watt

I have one of these. They've been around a long time and are pretty straightforward to use. If you're ultimately operating from a vehicle you don't need to stop to plug in, you can charge from the vehicle.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[Domo]

If I understand correctly, you live in your car and hope to find free 120 VAC you can plug into.

As earlier suggested, find a spot to add a couple of batteries (trunk, or hitch-mounted tray), put solar on the roof (they have flexible panels) to assist with charging - and you can recharge if you are in legal campgrounds that provide power and water. You'd have to shop around for the least expensive if that is your goal. You can also check Craigslist (etc.) and look for a used modest generator/inverter for sale and mount that on the hitch-mounted carrier tray next to the extra batteries.

The circumstance does not seem to be terribly workable. Perhaps join a local library that supports free PC use for members?