Date: Fri, 16 Feb 2007 08:45:47 -0800
Reply-To: Michael Elliott <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Michael Elliott <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: your favorite 12 V accessory
In-Reply-To: <5nhkig$avc13s@smtp01.lnh.mail.rcn.net>
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12V electric blanket, eh? Mrs Squirrel runs colder than I do. Even with
two down comforters, flannel sheets, and a fleece blanket she buries her
head under the covers in <50F weather. So I'm always looking for ways to
make her more comfortable. I would score points with Mrs Squirrel if I
got her one of these blankets, and since happy wife means happy life,
scoring points is good.
But first I gotta do the math. Typical current usage for single-person
electric blankets and bed warmers seem to be about 4 amperes. Over a
9-hour period (a Mrs Squirrel good night's sleep) this would pull 36Ah
from the battery because I guarantee she'd set the control on "full" and
run it all night long. Presently, a typical night's electrical usage
draws the 100Ah aux battery down about 15% (15Ah, typ.), so adding the
electric blanket would increase the depth of discharge to over 50%.
That's acceptable assuming that I will have enough sunlight the next day
in camp to charge it back to 100%. With 15% discharge the panels bring
the battery back to 100% by midmorning, so topping off a 50% discharged
battery should be possible by mid afternoon. As Dr. Frederick
Frankenstein says in "Young Frankenstein," "It . . . could . . . WORK!"
...As long as Mrs Squirrel is mindful about her usage.
--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
KG6RCR
Jim Akiba typed:
> 12v electric blanket, esp in this weather!!
>
> You can stay warm even with the van off for long periods of time without
> having to worry about a dead battery. Good, easily stashable purchase.
>
> Jim Akiba
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Troy [mailto:colorworks@GCI.NET]
> Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2007 10:07 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: your favorite 12 V accessory
>
> Hi there:
>
> In the process of installing my second, auxiliary battery, which got me to
> thinking about 12 V accessory items now that I have a battery to run them. A
> quick search on eBay reveals dozens of 12 volt accessories, so many in fact,
> it can leave a person's head spinning. There's everything from electric
> blankets, coffee makers, vacuums, air compressors, trouble lights, fans, oil
> pumps-- presumably to change your oil without removing the engine drain
> plug-- if you would believe, coolers, the list goes on and on.
>
> I thought that a trouble light with a long cord would be useful, perhaps an
> air compressor, if it actually worked, and maybe an ice chest, assuming it
> didn't draw too much power to supplement the rather small onboard fridge.
>
> Anyone care to share their thoughts as to what 12 volt accessory items
> they've purchased they found useful, what is junk or what not to purchase.
> Particular brand names would be useful, as well as sources.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Troy
> 89 Westy
>
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