It seems impossible to find a laptop that will run on its own batteries for
more than about 3 or 4 hours, which really sucks. My first thought was to
stick a small car battery in my travel bag, but evidently, even sealed lead
acid batteries are not allowed (for active use), at least according to
http://parentzone.com/health/distrav2.htm :
] 3. Unsealed batteries must be specially packed for shipment. Sealed,
] certified, lead-acid or gel-cell batteries are more acceptable but
] must also be disconnected and the terminals taped for transportation.
] Check with each carrier.
This kind of sucks because you can get a 5lb, 5 Amp, 12V battery for a
little over $18
(http://shop.media3.net/acb2/showdetl.cfm?&DID=18&Product_ID=1425&CATID=76).
The weight to A-h ration is a little low, but the price sure is right.
On the other hand, http://www.ljextra.com/ltpn/september97/p16batteries.html
("Lawyers who need up to 10 hours of non-stop battery power will be
interested in the Portable Power Pack from 1-800-Batteries"), followed by
http://www.800batteries.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce/;display/item?prrfnbr=13650&pr
menbr=1 (1-800-Batteries Portable Power Pack, Voltage: 12.00, Type: Lead
Acid, mAmps: 5000, Price: $179.00) would lead me to believe that lead acid
batteries ARE allowed on airplanes. At least after they've been marked up by
a factor of ten.
Or... I could give up on rechargability and just carry around 8 Alkaline D
cells, for about 8 A-h at 12V, at about 2 1/2 pounds.
And of course, along the way, I found Rohit's posts about power outlets for
laptops on planes, but such outlets don't seem to have become widely
adopted...
http://xent.ics.uci.edu/FoRK-archive/spring96/0412.html
http://xent.ics.uci.edu/FoRK-archive/fall96/0394.html
Any other ideas? In particular, does anyone know what the real story is
about carrying sealed lead acid batteries on airplanes?
- Joe