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Date:         Tue, 20 Mar 2001 11:31:26 -0700
Reply-To:     John Klun <jklun@GJ.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Klun <jklun@GJ.NET>
Subject:      Re: Aux battery...again
Comments: To: Liz Maher <maher@MAHERCONSULTING.COM>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;

Liz-

There are probably a few things you can do. A 12volt marine deep cycle battery may be the thing for you. On the other hand, a small solar panel kit (for computers and such) might be the answer. Go to the www.realgoods.com online catalog. There, you should be able to find a kit for you. Lastly, you can still go with the marine deep cycle battery but buy an inexpensive 200-300 watt inverter and hook it up to that marine battery. With that setup, you could run your computer or a TV, VCR, DVD stereo or what have you. You could power regular electric lights, reading lamps (when camping), portable refrigerators...

A marine deep cycle 12 volt battery will have enough juice to last you for several hours of usage as opposed to a car battery. As for charging, you can hook it up to your car battery (in parallel) while driving. A battery switch (such as a Guest brand) would also be helpful.

If you really want to get fancy, you could buy a couple of 6 volt golf cart batteries, connect them in series and you have a 12volt, 200amp/hour system. Build a battery box large enough to contain the 2 batteries, put it on the floor in the center in back of but between the seats and you will have a 'table'. Hook up a 1000watt inverter and you'll be able to run a small microwave, small electric tools, whatever...

Liz Maher wrote:

> Hi, > > OK folks, I have read everything in the archives I could find on this > subject (and there is a LOT) and it seems that no one was ever able to > recommend a specific brand/model of deep-cycle battery that will fit > under the driver's seat. An online demo for installing one that's a bit tall > that is frequently mentioned but no longer exists at the URL (something > with ~coyote in it) posted in the messages I read. > > So I am asking the list. > > What do you all recommend? We have a weekender so don't need the > battery for any appliances though it might be nice to plug in a small > fridge or electric cooler if we buy one. Mainly I want to run/recharge my > laptop on this thing, and run the radio/cassette. > > We don't have an electric hookup so is wanting something that could > run the radio for a day or two and maybe run my laptop long enough to > play a DVD movie and go online a bit (I have a cell phone) unrealistic? > > Thanks all!! > > :) Liz > > ____________ > |___________| > ||E[__] [__]|[_]\\ > | =======| - || > * * * =( o )--------( o )=p > '85


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