Targus sells a DC-DC kit to go from the cigarette lighter directly into a
laptop, no inverter required. Same kit works on airplanes.
I've used an 800 watt inverter (direct to 12V battery terminals) along with
a few long heavy duty power extension cables before, during
earthquake-caused power outages to keep the fridge and a few fluorescant
lights going . Very helpful. Wouldn't allow my computer UPSes to start
however. The modified sine wave was detected as a power fault.
To run non-laptops off an inverter you need a true sine wave inverter.
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