The DC jacks have finally arrived . . . so i can make up some 12v outlet cables.
i managed to buy the DC5521 (5.5mm x 2.1mm) input/charge side cable easy enough.
but...
the output side is DC5525 (5.5mm x 2.5mm) so i had to get the plugs separate . .
then i got some 12v socket extension leads and cut them up, soldered on the DC5525 plug and ended up with this . .
im sure your asking . . . . . Why bother Dell` ? there is a 12v socket on the side . . . . .
good point . . . but in testing it seemed that the 12v socket was not voltage regulated. . . .
ie as the internal pack voltage dropped . . . . so would the socket voltage...
this can be seen here on unit#1 . . . . i run it down flat @ 0%.
the 12v socket outlet shows 9.9v
but when plugging the the new lead you can see 12.4v . . . . still at 0% . . .
this shows that the two ports on the other side are regulated to give out a steady 12.4V - which is great. (upto 5A max)
for comparison here is unit#2.
its fully charged to 100% . . . .
so the internal pack voltage is high at 12.2v and the output ports are also high at 12.2.v
back to unit#1 now i have a charger plugged in, it had charged to about 5% . . . .
you can still see the left socket is low @ 10.1v but the RHS sockets are at a regulated 12.4v.
why is this important? . . . .
well some devices like fridges and cooler boxes have Low-Voltage cut outs that are designed to stop your car battery from going flat . . .
which is great when its plugged into the vans AGM starter battery and running it low . . . they will cut out leaving you enough power to start the van (supposedly)
but not so good when running of a mobile unit like this,
the problem is the the left 12v socket @ 50% could be down to 10.5v . . . . which would cause the fridge to shut down,
or your Tyre inflator to run slow . . . .or, or, or, or ?
so now you can use the RHS ports from 100% - 0% and you will get 12.4v. ( 5A max ) per port.
the 12v socket on the LHS is rated for 10A max . . . . so higher current. but not 12.4v regulated.
The testing continues . . .
.