r/toughbook • u/smeeg123 • Jul 15 '25

Mods Best way to charge Toughbook from 12VDC? Buck converter vs USB-C PD trigger?

I want to charge my Panasonic Toughbook from 12VDC without using the big charging brick.

I’ve been looking into two options and would love your thoughts: 1.Buck converter to step up 12VDC to ~16VDC (Toughbook input), but I’m having a hard time finding one that’s small and has a nice clean enclosure. Most of them look sketchy or are bare boards. 2.USB-C PD route — using a trigger cable that negotiates 15V (close enough?)from a PD power bank or car adapter. Like this one: Adafruit USB-C to Barrel with PD trigger (15V) https://www.adafruit.com/product/5451 Has anyone tried either method successfully? Any suggestions for a reliable, compact, enclosed buck converter, or is USB-C PD the better way to go these days?

Thanks!

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

2

u/deere245 Jul 15 '25

Look for a Lenovo combo adapter on Ebay. Just make sure it is the 15v one and not the 20v one. I have used dozens of these with zero issues.

1

u/RuggedOrDie Jul 15 '25

I realize your post is asking for a way to accomplish a specific, outside the norm, charging solution but I'm going to be "that guy" and suggest you maybe don't do it. I'm sure it's possible to find some alternative charging hardware but computers can be very sensitive to power and this sounds like a great way to brick your TOUGHBOOK.

If you want to charge with 12v then a 65W+ USB-C PD charger does appear to exist online. If your TOUGHBOOK is new enough to charge that way you could try it.

https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Cigarette-Lighter-MRGLAS-Samsung/dp/B0C53MKFMY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1C0D0R3XDYKLD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oECpCJBkal5axSQrKnc-LwdEOzejd88DFtOk8e4n2W1kEv2c_v6ivBlWdswLRflE4OKpq-pZhhKZdFEv40z73W96SGtmFGjtwUGKMua17V8SpahlDuVy6e31DCBye8Y8ZCz7cv8J8SbjDbz-6m0KB5TQiT8t5M8urY7ZGgYDOSFaJ8ppRPVkjRSfYU-Cuh5nJcT6tJq1g7hWclV2P6cTUirxsLDiAMYiKuNImiFmDg8.5G6HKjetv6ZqjNl0ekSpLJqHXcdQkrCdnHy1AXBeWJc&dib_tag=se&keywords=65W%2BUSB%2Bc%2Bcharger%2B12v&qid=1752587725&sprefix=65w%2Busb%2Bc%2Bcharger%2B12v%2Caps%2C134&sr=8-3&th=1

Personally I swear by the LIND power adapters. They have the big brick but they do the job and they do it correctly without damaging the computer. I've seen hundreds of instances were folks have destroyed their computer by using aftermarket batteries and power adapters.

Be careful and know there's a chance of damaging the laptop by getting creative.

1

u/smeeg123 Jul 15 '25

I actually have a LIND 110v/12vdc charger it’s just huge

2

u/chuckm55555 Jul 15 '25 edited Jul 15 '25

Lind CF-LNDDC120HW 120watt Adapter charger works great, but mine was smaller than the wall charger. The factory wall charger for my cf-31 is rated at 7.05 amps at 15.6 volts. The toughbook uses a lot of power for the screen and even more power in high brightness screen mode. That’s a setting that You can adjust in bios for outdoor use. so you can still view the screen in bright light. Another option is the vehicle mount has a power supply that connects to the vehicle battery.

1

u/Maddog2201 Jul 16 '25

Just get a universal laptop car charger. That's what I use.

1

u/JustSomeone202020 Jul 16 '25

I thaught they use 16V....it depends on the models...

1

u/smeeg123 Jul 16 '25

Yes they do but I believe 15v is close enough

1

u/Safjist_Nipnog Jul 16 '25

Also certain docks have built in power supplies as well.

As mentioned begins Lind and AC/DC thinkpad chargers work great as well.

( only toughbook I have had problems with were models with ATI graphic cards as they pull more power. Worked fine when it was off, but unit it they would over heat and shut off. The hey come back on when it cools off. Just don’t want to do that with it all the time.)