Trucker Gamer with power supply problems

Nov 2, 2024
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I am a gamer, but I'm also an OTR trucker. Last year, I purchased the Acer Nitro 17 gaming laptop. I enjoy it quite a lot, but the problem I am having is power supply. I have a 2000W Tundra power inverter directly hooked into my truck that I use only to play my laptop, but here have been recent problems involving my trucks batteries.

If I use the inverter right after driving or while the engine is idle, the power supply is fine. However, Wednesday (2 days after I got all four new batteries) I was stuck at a receiver for quite a while. After 4 hours of waiting, I decided I wanted to play some games on my laptop. Both the truck and the inverter were off during the four hours between arriving at the receiver and playing my laptop with the only other devices plugged into any of the outlets being my Bluetooth headphones for hands-free talking, and my 150 W mini-inverter I use to power my Internet modem. About an hour after I started gaming, my inverter light starts blinking and its beeping like crazy. I am still learning about inverters, but I believe this means that the batteries are low, and the inverter is on the verge to shutting off to conserve power (again, I am not fully sure what this means in general)

I arrived at another truck service center, and they are seeing what the problem is. So far, they have identified that there is only 12.5V charge coming through all four batteries combined (I believe the average is 14.2V). Keep in mind again, these are all brand-new batteries I just got on the 29th, so this is a little strange. They are going to check each of them and see what the problem is. However, I am wondering if this might have been caused by me just using my laptop, and if there is a way to prevent it.

I would like to be able to use a smaller inverter that I can plug into an outlet using an adapter. I purchased a Maxpart 1000W small inverter, and it seems to work until I start playing a game. Once I play a game, the inverter starts beeping and resetting itself to prevent it from blowing a fuse. I want to try getting a special adapter plug for the power supply that I can use to replace the 3-prongs and just jack it directly into the truck. Problem is, I don't know where to find such an accessory for a Nitro 17, or even if it exists. To put it short, if I get stranded in a place like Wyoming because of a snowstorm, I'd love to be able to pass the time without worrying about my laptop completely draining my battery. Any ideas/advice or accessories that could help would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. I am only in my 1st year of trucking, so I don't make a lot of money. Add on the fact that I have other financial obligations, I am unable to spend money on a portable charger with solar powered panels. This has been suggested but is currently not fiscally possible. The inverter is also the only one my company will allow us to have as I had to buy it directly from them. They will not allow us to put in any other wattage or brand.
 
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