Science Forums 2

[Eddy_P]

For this hypothetical, let's assume that I do not want a lap-top computer.

Let's say I want to take my home computer with me in the back of my utility, but it has to fit within an area of 500 mm wide x 300 mm high.
A wooden box of length X would suit this storage and transport problem.

It needs to hold the computer parts set out sideways ready for use, plus a power source.

How long would the box have to be ?

In the side of the box, a window will be made for the screen to be seen, with a sliding door that reveals and gives access to three compartments for the mouse, keyboard and CPU unit - so it can all be used on site from the side of the utility vehicle.

The monitor (400mm wide and just under 300mm high), keyboard and mouse pad (480mm + 220mm) and desk-top CPU unit (450 x 450 mm) would take up the first 1600mm (400mm for the screen window and 1200mm for the others).

This leaves a minimum area of 500 x 300 x 1200 mm for the batteries (being the region behind the sliding door that opens).

Questions:
1) What type of battery would power this home computer so that I could use it from the rear of my utility ?

2) How much of the 500 x 300 x 1200 mm area would they take up ?

My thoughts:
I assume that something like a series of car batteries would do the job (but I am probably wrong).
To obtain the 240 volts required to power a 240 volt computer system, I calculate that I would need 20 twelve volt car batteries. (12 V x 20 = 240 V)

My car's battery is 220 x 250 x 200 mm.

20 of these batteries (as 2 x 10) would take up 2000mm.

This is more than I have available to me, as the maximum length of the box can only be 3000mm.

So, what type of battery (which determines its dimensions) - and how many of them - would be needed to fit in an area no larger than 1400mm long, 500mm wide, and 300 high ?

Thanks,
Eddy