Date:         Wed, 19 May 2010 18:24:22 -0700
Reply-To:     Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Camping Christmas Lights
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

FYI for you guys....tried the 12VDC to 120 VAC 150W inverter with standard 50-light 120VAC incandescent mini Christmas lights when I got home....worked like a champ.  Researching inverter efficiency a little bit on the internet....

Inverter (and other) Efficiency:
Inverter efficiency is a question we get asked 
about a lot. The 
efficiency of an inverter has to do with how well it converts the DC 
voltage into AC. This usually ranges from 85% to 95%, with 90% being 
about 
average.
However, there is more to the story. Efficiency 
ratings are usually 
given into a resistive load (basically something like a light bulb or 
electric heater). When running such things as motors, the efficiency 
actually breaks down into two parts - the efficiency of the inverter, 
and 
the efficiency of the waveform. Waveform efficiency means that 
most 
motors and many electronic appliances run better and use less power with
 a 
sine wave. Typically, an electric motor (such as a pump or refrigerator)
 
will use from 15% to 20% more power with a modified sine wave than with a
 
true sine wave. When choosing an inverter based on efficiency, you 
should 
also consider what you are going to be running.
A 90% efficient modified sine wave inverter is not 
90% when 
running a compressor motor, for example, because electric motors are 
less 
efficient. They use about 20% more power on a modified sine wave.
Inverters are also much less efficient when used 
at the low end of their 
maximum power. For example, using a 1000 watt inverter to power a 20 
watt radio 
may actually be using 30 to 40 watts from the battery, as the inverter 
itself is 
eating up a lot just to run. Most inverters are most efficient in the 
30% to 90% 
power range.

Since I am running a small inverter (150W nominal, 200W peak I think) and an "ideal" resistor, that is the incandescent mini light bulb, my inverter efficiency is probably in the 85% efficiency range or better.  Not bad.  Since I already have inverter and lights, I think I'll go with that for now.  Next trip:  a five-dayer from San Diego, to Oak Creek Canyon in Arizona, exploring Sedona and Jerome and Prescott, east over to the high country near Payson, then south to metro Phoenix area, and back west to San Diego.  Weather should be nice....open road, smooth running Vanagon, what more do you need?  Oh, yeah...girlfriend and Christmas lights....HA!

Rich


--- On Wed, 5/19/10, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

From: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: Camping Christmas Lights
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 3:31 PM

Shoot, guys.....was just trying to have some ground lighting that's easy to set up, functional, unobtrusive for the most part, no fuel to carry, no hiss like a Coleman lantern, not blinding, windproof, weatherproof, no smell, easy on and off, cheap, etc. .  Not intending to "advertise" or attract attention.  On the ground, maybe even under the van, not hanging from any awning (don't have anyway).

Besides...it was the girlfriend who really liked it!  And we like bats and stars and quiet surroundings in the middle of nowhere, too.  Just nice to have some light to not trip over things when shuffling in and out of the van and around it, and give you a place to walk back to after doing your "business" over yonder.

Anyway....try it, you might just like it...we do.

--- On Wed, 5/19/10, Joe T.
 <vanagon85@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

From: Joe T. <vanagon85@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Camping Christmas Lights
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 3:12 PM

I forgot to mention, I tend to drink to excess and waive my handgun around
while Metallica blasts from my 1000 watt stereo.  I need the light so that I
don't inadvertently aim at, and possibly maim, my guests.

On Wed, May 19, 2010 at 2:24 PM, Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:

> finally, someone who goes to nature to enjoy nature.  Sometimes I wonder
> why folks don't just stay home where their toys already are, and they don't
> have to carry them, or figure out a way to use them. 
 For me, the stars and
> the moon provide the light, the critters and the creeks make the sounds, and
> I can dig a hole in the ground for other business, most of the places I go.
>  I go to get away from computers, radios, televisions, ............. .
>  Nature rocks.  DMc
>
> ---- Bob Stevens <mtbiker62@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> > That's actually what I was going to post Tom. I use my 4 "bulb"
> > headlamp for night time navigation and also like putting my
> > chair in the recline position for some star gazing .... if I can
> > stay up that long. My favorite time of evening is when the bats
> > come out for their dinner, which is more like dusk.
> >
> > bob
> >
> > On Wed, May 19, 2010 at 1:44 PM, Tom Buese <tombuese@comcast.net> wrote:
> >
> > > I am curious as to how many volks like to light their campsite up like
> > > a Christmas tree?  Seems to moi, that getting off the grid is more
> > > enjoyable when you are away from light pollution & can see the natural
> > > light in the darkened sky?
> > > Flame suit donned!
> > >
> > >
> > >>
>
> --
> David McNeely
>



--
Joe T.
'85 Wolfsburg Westy Subie 2.2