Longer PSU cable, spare batteries & Car adapter

[SaxonRix]

Hi guys, the cable from the PSU to the laptop is quite short on my Octane IV, is there an option for a longer version anywhere? And in general where can I purchase spare power supplies & batteries from?

Also can you power this laptop from a car cigarette port thingy?

 

[SpyderTracks]

Hi guys, the cable from the PSU to the laptop is quite short on my Octane IV, is there an option for a longer version anywhere? And in general where can I purchase spare power supplies & batteries from?

Also can you power this laptop from a car cigarette port thingy?

You can use a normal extension cable to lengthen it.

Batteries and power supplies can be ordered from PCS, just log into the main site and go to the upgrades section.

You won’t be able to power it from a cigarette socket, it requires far too much power.

 

[SaxonRix]

Hi SpyderTracks, I mean the cable between the block and the laptop, not the wall outlet & the block. Is there an extension cable available for that at all?

 

[SpyderTracks]

Hi SpyderTracks, I mean the cable between the block and the laptop, not the wall outlet & the block. Is there an extension cable available for that at all?

No, it’s a fixed length and not changeable.

 

[akist]

You have hit upon a problem which has bugged me since I bought two Vortex 17" back in 2014.

The adapter lead is ridiculously short and there is absolutely no justification other than counting pennies. So short, that you have to have a 230W power brick right on the desk, and not at the floor or at the bottom of the bed, where it belongs.

I thought of adding an extension but you cannot find those DC connectors anywhere and I spent weeks looking (back in 2014-2015). In the end I gave up the search and simply cut out the DC lead near the PSU and inserted a thick, two core cable in between. As long as the insert is thick to take the amps (in my case say 12-15 amps) and the connections/solders are safe there should be no issues. I have thus modified two PSUs with 3-4 metre extensions and it's been great.

 

[ubuysa]

You have hit upon a problem which has bugged me since I bought two Vortex 17" back in 2014.

The adapter lead is ridiculously short and there is absolutely no justification other than counting pennies. So short, that you have to have a 230W power brick right on the desk, and not at the floor or at the bottom of the bed, where it belongs.

I thought of adding an extension but you cannot find those DC connectors anywhere and I spent weeks looking (back in 2014-2015). In the end I gave up the search and simply cut out the DC lead near the PSU and inserted a thick, two core cable in between. As long as the insert is thick to take the amps (in my case say 12-15 amps) and the connections/solders are safe there should be no issues. I have thus modified two PSUs with 3-4 metre extensions and it's been great.

My wife used to work in home insurance so I asked her about the insurance aspect of this 'modification'. She is of the opinion that if it's done by a properly qualified professional (and documented as such) then you should be fine, but if you've done it yourself you might have insurance problems if you have a serious house fire that could be traced to a problem with this power cable. If others really need to do this I would recommend you get a properly qualified person to extend it for you and provide you with a proper receipt for the work just to protect yourself and your home....