Date:         Tue, 19 Nov 2002 16:50:54 -0500
Reply-To:     "Forhan, Thomas" <Thomas.Forhan@MAIL.HOUSE.GOV>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Forhan, Thomas" <Thomas.Forhan@MAIL.HOUSE.GOV>
Subject:      Re: [Syncro] Electrical Consumption &  Battery Recharge Calculati
              ons
Comments: To: "lchase@attglobal.net" <lchase@attglobal.net>,
          vanagon@yahoogroups.com, "wetwesties@yahoogroups."
          <wetwesties@yahoogroups.com>,
          Syncro@yahoogroups.com, ev_update@yahoogroups.com
Content-Type: text/plain

Larry,

You are doing a great job of evaluating the options and identifying the
products for a totally redundant system: I count five different  power
sources: the solar panels, the two Optima batteries/alternator, the Power
Pack, the 110v Battery Tender, and the Honda generator.

There is one more thing you should add to your list:  a Dennis Hayes Custom
Syncro Trailer Hitch (tm)- because I am afraid you will need a trailer to
carry all this stuff! :-)

Seriously, if you have two batteries, you certainly don't need the jumper
power pack- wire the batteries like they do boats, use one exclusively for
starting and the other exclusively for  the "hotel" load, and your starter
battery is never at risk. If for some reason the starter battery goes dead,
you can jump/switch the starter onto the hotel battery. I like the idea of
using the solar panels, but when they don't do the job, then just run the
engine - go for a little drive. If both batteries are dead, push it down a
hill to start. The generator is jsut something else you'll have to carry
around and store, plus you have to keep it outside because of the danger of
gas fumes, and they -though quiet- still p.o. other people camping nearby.

Best way to insure success is to keep the systems as simple as possible.

Good luck,

Tom F.