Printer for in the truck

[Garmann]

What do you drivers do for a printer in your truck? I want to start using Drivers Daily Log software. I don't have AC in the truck do they make a 12v printer that is low priced?

I guess I am looking for a small printer just to print logs and can be portable without costing a lot. I would really prefer one that is just powered off usb but I havn't run across one yet.

Give me your input.

[BanditsCousin]

I was thinking about a printer for my truck too. However, I opted to g with a printer/scanner unit and an inverter (12v-110v).

HTH

[Uturn2001]

If you are going to have a printer in your truck I suggest getting an all in one. You can find them at places like Wal Mart starting at around $50 and while some are bulky they do have some that are small.

With a printer/copier/scanner you will be able to print your DDL pages, copy bills if need be, scan in bills, reciepts, etc for your records in case your company "loses" them and refuses to reimburse or pay for a load, etc. The printer will easily run off a 350 watt plug in power inverter which you should have if are going to have electronics in the truck.

[kc0iv]

What do you drivers do for a printer in your truck? I want to start using Drivers Daily Log software. I don't have AC in the truck do they make a 12v printer that is low priced?

I guess I am looking for a small printer just to print logs and can be portable without costing a lot. I would really prefer one that is just powered off usb but I havn't run across one yet.

Give me your input.

I agree with UTURN. I use mine all the time for making copies. In addition to printing DDL print-outs.

I used a brothers MFC - 210C with a small inverter when I was driving. I got so use to having a printer I had a second one the truck just in case the one died (which it did).

One thing you want to do when the truck is parked during winter is either take the printer out or remove the ink. The ink will freeze.

Two thing you also want is extra ink and a ream or two of paper.

Also have a copy of the installation disk.

kc0iv

[flood]

What do you drivers do for a printer in your truck? I want to start using Drivers Daily Log software. I don't have AC in the truck do they make a 12v printer that is low priced?

I guess I am looking for a small printer just to print logs and can be portable without costing a lot. I would really prefer one that is just powered off usb but I havn't run across one yet.

Give me your input.

you will not find a printer that will power off the usb..
if you check ebay you can find some cannon bj-30's that will run on a 100w inverter half as big as a loptop single page feed that will do what you want

we use an hp-1210 all-in-one and a 350w inverter

[Garmann]

Thanks for the advice.

I never thought about ink freezeing until it was mentioned. That coud be a problem as my truck does sit without heat in the cold often.

I like the idea of an all in one unit but I have a Cannon scanner that is powered off just the usb and it works great for scans and one could fax with it if needed with some simple software. I havn't yet had a need either yet but ya never know.

Might have to go to Wally Mart and take a look at a small power inverter I guess.

[ssoutlaw]

Thanks for the advice.

I never thought about ink freezeing until it was mentioned. That coud be a problem as my truck does sit without heat in the cold often.

I like the idea of an all in one unit but I have a Cannon scanner that is powered off just the usb and it works great for scans and one could fax with it if needed with some simple software. I havn't yet had a need either yet but ya never know.

Might have to go to Wally Mart and take a look at a small power inverter I guess.

You are still not drawing power from the USB cable! It is a data cable!

[Mars]

Thanks for the advice.

I never thought about ink freezeing until it was mentioned. That coud be a problem as my truck does sit without heat in the cold often.

I like the idea of an all in one unit but I have a Cannon scanner that is powered off just the usb and it works great for scans and one could fax with it if needed with some simple software. I havn't yet had a need either yet but ya never know.

Might have to go to Wally Mart and take a look at a small power inverter I guess.

You are still not drawing power from the USB cable! It is a data cable!

Some scanners do work off the USB cable alone, and do not require an AC plug as USB ports have a 5v feed in them.

[ssoutlaw]

Thanks for the advice.

I never thought about ink freezeing until it was mentioned. That coud be a problem as my truck does sit without heat in the cold often.

I like the idea of an all in one unit but I have a Cannon scanner that is powered off just the usb and it works great for scans and one could fax with it if needed with some simple software. I havn't yet had a need either yet but ya never know.

Might have to go to Wally Mart and take a look at a small power inverter I guess.

You are still not drawing power from the USB cable! It is a data cable!

Some scanners do work off the USB cable alone, and do not require an AC plug as USB ports have a 5v feed in them.

Must be one of those office things...lol

[Crackaces]

Thanks for the advice.

I never thought about ink freezeing until it was mentioned. That coud be a problem as my truck does sit without heat in the cold often.

I like the idea of an all in one unit but I have a Cannon scanner that is powered off just the usb and it works great for scans and one could fax with it if needed with some simple software. I havn't yet had a need either yet but ya never know.

Might have to go to Wally Mart and take a look at a small power inverter I guess.

You are still not drawing power from the USB cable! It is a data cable!

Some scanners do work off the USB cable alone, and do not require an AC plug as USB ports have a 5v feed in them.

There are 4 wires. The first 2 wires provide a balanced data signal. The third wire is power and the 4th wire provides a common ground.
...
Voltage: 4.4V - 5.25V.
Current: 250mA

...

If the device can work with 5 volts and 1/4 amp .. it can run off USB alone. Typically these are networking devices like Bluetooth USB connectors and wireless networking ... I would be interested to know how well a printer works within these constraints.

I have an old (1995) BJC-70 printer that I used on the road.

[Garmann]

Some scanners do work off the USB cable alone, and do not require an AC plug as USB ports have a 5v feed in them.

There are 4 wires. The first 2 wires provide a balanced data signal. The third wire is power and the 4th wire provides a common ground.
...
Voltage: 4.4V - 5.25V.
Current: 250mA

...

If the device can work with 5 volts and 1/4 amp .. it can run off USB alone. Typically these are networking devices like Bluetooth USB connectors and wireless networking ... I would be interested to know how well a printer works within these constraints.

You are correct. I use USB to charge my cell phone, my Ipod and power my scanner. That is why I can't figure out why a simple black and white no frills printer won't work off just USB. Maybe because nobody want's a black and white only printer? Ya got me

USB hubs only have a limited amount of power available and a printer combination will draw up to 400mA. At some point the USB driver will shut down everything on the hub when the max is reached.

Most printers run on 16V DC or less. Those power cords have a AC to DC converter. You could possibly find one that runs at 12V and make your own cable. The power may not be clean enough or stable enough though. I would suggest buy a real small cheap converter to run it. You can buy some that are the size of a pack of butts to do the job.

[Snake_Ize]

Garmann asked:

What do you drivers do for a printer in your truck? I want to start using Drivers Daily Log software. I don't have AC in the truck do they make a 12v printer that is low priced?

I guess I am looking for a small printer just to print logs and can be portable without costing a lot. I would really prefer one that is just powered off usb but I havn't run across one yet.

Give me your input.

HP Deskjet 460C Mobile Printer. About $200 at Amazon. Works great.

[Mars]

Most printers run on 16V DC or less. Those power cords have a AC to DC converter.

Only some devices do, you will know if there is a big black box inline with the AC power cord, not all devices have this and run on AC current alone.

[Rev.Vassago]

I have the cheapest Wal Mart Lexmark printer I could find in the truck. They no longer carry it, and I'm likely going to replace it with this. At $44.88, I'll just end up buying a new one when the ink runs dry, since the ink itself runs $33.00. That way, I always have a fresh printer with no mechanical troubles.

If you don't have AC in the truck, buy one of those cigarette lighter inverters to run the thing.

Remember, the more moving parts something has, the more chances for it to break from bouncing down the road in the truck.

[devildice]

a quick internet search produced this:

http://www.mygreta.com/pdf/Possio_GR..._r1_screen.pdf

[flood]

Most printers run on 16V DC or less. Those power cords have a AC to DC converter.

Only some devices do, you will know if there is a big black box inline with the AC power cord, not all devices have this and run on AC current alone.

thay are ALL DC if thay don't have the converter on the cord then thay have it built inside... just like your HOME computer is DC :shock: and if you don't believe me just check the power requirements for the parts inside HD, RAM, MOTHERBOARD, CD DRIVE, CPU all are DC

[tootie04]

I was thinking about a printer for my truck too. However, I opted to g with a printer/scanner unit and an inverter (12v-110v).

HTH

That is what we did. We bought the HP deskjet F380 all in one and it feeds and spits out from the front. It fits perfect in the desk hole in our T600. I even have figured out how to fax from it 8)

The cost was about 130.00 and the 400W inverter was like about 40.00

tootie