# Reasonable battery for solar kit to run laptop **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 15, 2020, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasonable-battery-for-solar-kit-to-run-laptop/920689 "2020-09-15T13:11:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2020, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasonable-battery-for-solar-kit-to-run-laptop/920689/1 "2020-09-15T13:11:44Z")
I have a thread here > [@How long will a 12v lead battery run a laptop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-a-12v-lead-battery-run-a-laptop/920441/32): > > Update A friend offered as a christmas present a solar kit, SO I have this one coming to me [https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product\_200773337\_200773337](https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200773337_200773337) Maybe, I should make a new thread…but I’d like suggestions for a battery and a cigarette lighter type plug that will work with this set up. I just bought a cigarette lighter plug for my computer to charge it off of DC. hmm…maybe I’ll start a IMHO thread It seems the new question is ‘what is a good reasonable battery to store power?’ I’m interested in opinions on what battery I should purchase. I’ve decided I need a deep cycle battery. I’d like the cost of the battery to be less than $200. My goal is to work off grid for as long as possible before I have to plug into wall power. My hope is that I can get enough power from a solar kit that I can be self sufficient, (can also recharge when driving). So, What suggestions can you give me for a battery? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Librarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_librarian/32/402_2.png) [@The\_Librarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Librarian)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2020, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasonable-battery-for-solar-kit-to-run-laptop/920689/2 "2020-09-15T14:10:23Z")
Buy a new battery for your laptop. If possible a larger type. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2020, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasonable-battery-for-solar-kit-to-run-laptop/920689/3 "2020-09-15T14:24:20Z")
my laptop is not serviceable like that, I can’t get an extra battery. It was my first choice, but upon inspection…nope. bummer ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2020, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasonable-battery-for-solar-kit-to-run-laptop/920689/4 "2020-09-15T14:28:59Z")
Do a Google or Amazon search for “notebook power banks” (and [here](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-usb-c-battery-packs-and-power-banks/) is a review of these products). Some are available from the notebook manufacturers. I know Dell sells ones meant for its computers and the other brands may as well. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasonable-battery-for-solar-kit-to-run-laptop/920689/5 "2020-09-17T04:12:24Z")
unfortunately, I’m not finding these suggestions terribly appropriate. I will need to charge them off of a solar panel, and it looks like the common practice with energy storage with a solar panel is using a lead acid deep cycle ‘car type’ battery. My question is, what would be a good car type battery? I will for sure explore those other suggestions, but would like to get opinions on the more standard 12 volt lead acid battery.