BackMesa Pro Power Input Requirements and Limits
19 Sep 2023
This article explains the power requirements of the Mesa Pro and provides guidance for managing unconventional power needs.
Caution: Damage caused to a Mesa Pro as the result of using an unauthorized third-party or custom-built power supply is not covered in the product warranty.
Mesa Pro Specifications
The Mesa Pro barrel jack requires a 60 W or higher power supply with a 19 V output. The Mesa Pro USB-C port requires 20 V. This is required to power the tablet and charge the batteries simultaneously within 3–4 hours. The Mesa Pro's intelligent battery charging circuit first charges the battery with the least amount of energy. When the charge of the most depleted battery fills to the same level as the other battery pack, then both battery packs are charged at the same time until they are fully charged. Here are some details that may inform your power supply decisions:
- The Mesa Pro can tolerate voltages between about 21.5V and 17.5V. It can survive 30Vdc steady state and 40Vdc transients. At the recommended target for the barrel jack 19VDC the tolerance is roughly +/-5%.
- The watts from the power source can increase without any damage or performance loss to the Mesa Pro.
- The battery packs can be charged through the AC wall charger or the USB-C. The power source must be 60 W or higher to allow for a successful charge. Power sources less than 60 W are not recommended. They may result in an unreliable Mesa Pro performance while charging. It is likely that sources less than 60 W will not successfully charge the batteries, but it is unlikely to harm the tablet. Only use the AC wall charger that came with your Mesa Pro. AC wall charger, 60 W Input: 120-240 V AC, 50/60 Hz - Output: 19 V DC, 3.16 A. If you use a USB-C charger ensure it can deliver 20 V with a minimum of 60 Watts.
- Batteries will not charge (or might charge slowly) at temperatures below 32°F (0°C) or above 122°F (50°C).
Charging the Mesa Pro Using Portable Power Sources
The Mesa Pro is not designed to run on external power without a battery installed. Using external power only (no battery) can damage internal components and void your unit's warranty if the external power were accidentally lost. Vehicles, external batteries, and other power supplies (such as solar) do not typically provide a 19V output and are not recommended for use to charge the Mesa Pro without a power conditioner. We highly recommend using the Lind power conditioners (or other regulated 20V minimum 60W USB-C) for running/charging in vehicles or connecting external batteries (or other power sources such as solar).
Power Accessories for the Mesa Pro
- Mesa Pro 19V DC Vehicle Charger Cable
- Mesa Pro 60W Universal AC Power Supply Kit
- Mesa Pro Removable Li-ion Battery
- Powered Vehicle Dock
- LIND Power Supply (12-32V) (cigarette lighter)
- LIND Power Supply (12-32V), bare-wire
- LIND Isolated Power Supply (20-60V)
Mesa Pro Batteries
The Mesa Pro has one or two rechargeable and removable Li-ion battery packs (depending on the configuration). Many customers choose to purchase spare batteries to guarantee an uninterrupted power supply during long work days. You can change the removable battery pack without powering down the Mesa Pro by replacing one battery at a time.
Vehicles
The most common way to charge the Mesa Pro out in the field is to use an automobile auxiliary power outlet. You will need an appropriate power accessory to make use of an automobile auxiliary power outlet. Here are some details that can help you charge your Mesa Pro safely.
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Most cars and trucks run on a 12 V power system and will not give high enough voltage to power the unit.
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More powerful vehicles (e.g., combines, tractors, industrial trucks) run 24 V power systems, which will not damage the Mesa Pro, but it will not run.
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If a vehicle's battery is dead or dying, the alternator works extra hard to charge the battery. This creates the risk of a load dump event. In a load dump event, the connection between the battery and the fired-up alternator gets interrupted, and the alternator sends a voltage spike through the engine. That voltage spike would damage the Mesa Pro that is plugged directly into the vehicle. A power conditioner eliminates this risk. (The LIND power supplies listed above are the power conditioners we recommend.)
