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Date:         Fri, 11 Nov 2011 07:01:03 -0900
Reply-To:     Will Taygan <lists@ALASKABIODIESEL.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Will Taygan <lists@ALASKABIODIESEL.ORG>
Subject:      Re: Power Inverter advice requested
In-Reply-To:  <CAHtJhYO_TcZaEf0+rWVSStMGKCeQMuBsvzD7B6W_7ZfbOTjZ+w@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

I've got a SureSine-300 installed in the little cabinet next to the water tank. It's a bit of overkill, but the PO was doing video editing and wanted an inverter with no noise. It will charge the laptop, but only if it's turned on. The cell phone isn't enough of a draw to flip the inverter on by itself. Of course this thing is pretty savvy, and I can just flip a dip switch to keep the inverter on and charging, but it's annoying to dig around in there to flip the switch.

I've also got a Marinco (6amp single battery) smart charger mounted in there, tied into the 120v plug inside the Westy, so the batteries charge when hooked to regular shore power.

This is in a '82 diesel Westy with the stock battery moved behind the rear right tail light (It BARELY fits) which is used only for the glow plugs and starter. I use a second optima blue-top as the house and running battery in the stock battery tray. They are tied together with a Blue sea Systems Battery Link ACR - a "smart" relay. I really like the smart relay, it doesn't lose voltage like a diode isolator, but it does monitor voltage and connects the batteries after a minute of higher voltage (alternator working) and disconnects them after a minute of low voltage (usually after I pull some draw with the engine off.)

Have Fun!

Will in Alaska.

On Thu, 2011-11-10 at 13:22 -0900, Mark Tuovinen 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 >


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