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Date:         Mon, 1 Aug 2011 19:42:50 -0700
Reply-To:     Daniel Rotblatt <d.rotblatt@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Daniel Rotblatt <d.rotblatt@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Re: Inverter/Aux Battery question
Comments: To: Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CAH32RNY-k4JeAuEsy6kxdGve_b537HH-rAc06aB+L0FYBjFH0A@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Great organizing suggestions Loren, I already mark all my cables using the tape gambit. The plastic bag idea will appeal to my girlfriend - I just through them in the glove box so the passenger can sort them out when I need one :-)

Dan Los Angeles, CA "Winky" the '85 Westy Weekender

On Aug 1, 2011, at 9:12 AM, Loren Busch wrote:

> RE: Laptops and such > While into the topic of laptop current draw, etc. let me repeat what has > been said many times before on this subject: 12v adapters are just as > efficient (and probably more so) as an inverter! With an inverter you are > taking 12v DC, pumping it up to 110v AC, plugging in the laptop adapter that > then drops the voltage way back down to (typical) 19v DC to supply the > laptop. And there is going to be a loss (assume 85% efficiency) each step > along the way. The 12v adapter is only doing that once. If in doubt just > put your hand on the laptop AC adapter and feel the heat loss during the > conversion. Another advantage is that the 12v adapters are usually more > compact and easier to haul around and store than the AC adapters. Use the > inverter only for those items that are 110v AC only. And a tip to minimize > confusion (and possible problems): Label each power cord/adapter your have > with a piece of tape and the description of the device it came with and is > intended to be used with!! Then put those power cords into their own > individual Zip Lock bags (along with any other items for that device) and > label that bag also. Now find just one place in the Westy and put ALL power > cords and adapters in that one place for storage. I carry several devices > and since I started doing this I've eliminated a lot of confusion, believe > me. > Two more items on power in the Westy. First, I added a 110v AC power strip > mounted at the top of the kitchen cabinet behind the drivers seat. The cord > goes through the space between the cabinet and the outer wall and down to > the second socket where the refrigerator is plugged in, easy to access in > the back of the kitchen cabinet. This allows plugging in several 110v AC > devices when I have shore power. The inverter is mounted just below there > and a four socket 12v DC outlet just below that. Now ALL power needs are > fed from the same general physical location. And no cords running > through/across the living space! Nothing to trip on since all wires are in > that corner and out of the way. The stock 110v AC outlet is not used when I > have shore power, no cords along the floor.


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