I'm interested in a External Laptop battery for use of a data logger. Has anyone tried one and what do you think of its performance?

How about after-market replacement batteries? Are some of the Off- brands just as good?

Thanks in advance!

Maybe you could be more specific as to components, Voltages, & current usage & capacity.
In general, laptops use a fail-safe type connector which are impossible to s/c, and often give out 19V. Whereas what you say sounds simple electrically, it can be messy mechanically in making things fit together.

There are 12V sealed lead acid batteries available cheaply in various sizes for alarms, motorbikes. Many batteries deteriorate over time and recharges.

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Here are a few examples.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Super-High-Capac...-/250589297780

and

http://cgi.ebay.com/20A-Hi-capacity-...item5d2ff67224

Never went there, but 1st impressions are that the $199 one is the one to consider. It's the sort of thing a business would buy to get a job done. I imagine they don't sell many. Without knowing much about your data logger, I can't comment. The whole thing screams to me that you want a netbook, or smart phone doing the job. I got a 2000 maH battery for my Android and that solved it's power issues.

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As stated without knowing anything about the data logger we can not say if the suggested batteries are suitable nor their predicted performance.

I was mostly wondering If anyone had any actual experience with one and if they are substantially better than maybe a 12 cell factory version. Indirect experience is fine. It looks like it will work in conjunction to the basic battery so I could use a 12 cell version and maybe an external one and not have to reboot to install the primary battery once it got low which would be a huge burden. Having two primary style batteries would mean I would have to reboot once the first one got low I imagine.

This laptop is going to be used for a lot of different tasks from Linux ,Data Logging, Networking etcetera. I was trying to be a purist and not use or buy a machine to build a machine but If I could use it for many tasks it is more practical.

I was also wondering if a (Battery Backup) type of thing from a Desktop would work.That would be an interesting dual purpose device. I don't currently have one though. Can anyone share any advice on these.
Thanks for the Responses!

It was not apparent at least to me what you meant by "data logger". In my world a data logger is a device that records stuff like voltage, temperature, pressure etc. I've never used one but if your laptop is on the compatibility list then technically you will be fine.

By battery backup for a desktop are you referring to a UPS?

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I have run a number of systems from deep cycle marine batteries and car batteries. They don't cost too much and can be charged easily. Pretty safe if you are careful. One thing I can say is don't get in a hurry and wire it. They sell gel cell types if you want to reduce acid issues. All batteries have some hazards, be it gas, temps or shock or charging.

I run 19VDC tablets from them just fine. As long as input is more than 12VDC to unit and less than 20VDC it should work for a while.

If you are real skiddish then like above you can unplug a ups and run it with the alarm on for days maybe.

Last is a powerunit that has a small gel cell and an inverter. They have a number or ranges from like 150Watts to 750 or so for home use.

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Thanks for the Replies. Those are some interesting options but I think I will steer out out trouble and get something easy to use. I just don't want to be worrying about the battery level for about five hours so something tame should suffice. It looks like the UPS in not a good fit.

A deep cycle battery would run a normal laptop or tablet with screen off for maybe a few months.