Date:         Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:51:31 -0800
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Power Inverter advice requested
Comments: To: Mark Tuovinen <aksyncronaut@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <CAHtJhYO_TcZaEf0+rWVSStMGKCeQMuBsvzD7B6W_7ZfbOTjZ+w@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

  I tried an inverter to keep my laptop up to charge...for a couple of
extended trips.  It worked, sort of...but often the inverter's auto shut
off would kick in.   A better more efficient way is to get the 12v plug
that is made for your computer, if you can.  They are more effective. less
loss of juice.   Inverters are not really great at taking 12v DC and making
it into AC, then converting that back to some other DC voltage.  You lose a
bunch in the conversions to heat, I guess.
  If you do get an inverter, get a pretty high capacity one...Nothing more
frustrating than to have the 'low battery voltage' alarm go off when you
are in the middle of something ...

On Thu, Nov 10, 2011 at 2:22 PM, Mark Tuovinen <aksyncronaut@gmail.com>wrote:

> We need to add a power inverter to our van as we will be traveling and want
> to be able to charge the laptop computer battery.  Would any List Member
> whom has knowledge on this subject please advise/assist in helping me
> choose a unit that we be sufficient for this and maybe able to handle a bit
> more should need arise.  For now our primary concern is the computer but if
> there is a unit that can handle more for a reasonable price I would
> probably purchase it as our needs may change in the future.
>
> TIA
>
> Mark in AK
> `87 Westy Syncro
>