2 weeks in and I need help deciding

[ladysawfan]

:exclamation:
a sales guy down at Discount Auto wants to give me a deal on a yellow top battery and a 2000 watt Schumacher power converter for $432. I now have a Schumacher tailgater now that cost $100 put it can hardly power my computer alone for a few hours. i want to plug in a Hot logic, a fridge, a fan or two without running my engine and want to buy either this setup or a Goal Zero. Which is a better solution? I don't have any solar but want to get some later. 
I appreciate all the help you all have given me as i am becoming much less dependent on Airbnb's thanks to all of you. i even know how to survive a day in Florida in 83 degrees.
Thanks in advance

 

[Allan Greenblazer]

From what I have heard Optima batteries are not what they once were. They moved manufacturing out of the USA and they don't last as long as they did when first introduced. I heard that they even reduced the length of their warranty because of this. Mind you the information I have stated is from my own research a few years ago when I was considering one for my Toyota Tacoma, I ended up passing on the extra expense and went with a normal battery. I will also say that if a store is offering a "deal" it is probably because it benefits the company. I'm sure there are lots of Reviews available on batteries, do your research before deciding.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[Trebor English]

The original poster's question is Optima yellow top or Goal Zero to run a fridge and cook electrically with a Hot Logic.  

The 45 watt Hot Logic and a fridge are substantial consumers of energy.  Without a plan to recharge both battery options are not likely to work well.  The Goal Zero products are very slow to recharge with the AC plug in charger.   Did you have a charging plan for the Optima yellow?

The 2000 watt Schumacher I found on the internet is an inverter.  It will take 12 volts and make 120.  Usually things named converter go the other direction.  If you have a 45 watt resistive heater Hot Logic you need the cheapest 100 watt square wave inverter you can find.  Amazon has 150 watt units for $15.  

Amazon has 100 amp hour AGM batteries for under $200, and flooded batteries that size are about $100.  Combine the battery with an inverter and a switched wire to connect to your car battery and you have a working system.  

Amazon sells for $75,  35 amp hour AGM wheel chair batteries, easy to pick up with one hand. The 35 amp hour is the Goal Zero 400 watt hour size.  The 45 watt Hot Logic would totally drain that battery in 7 or 8 hours.  My fan uses 0.2 amps on speed 2.  That would last 80 hours.  

Amazon sells for $115 a kit to connect a battery to your vehicle so it can charge while you drive.  You probably don't drive enough to keep the Hot Logic cooking every day.  It would be good to get it cooking then go drive.

https://www.amazon.com/Dual-Battery...way&sprefix=voltage+sensitive&sr=8-3-fkmrnull

Quote from Amazon page:
"WHAT YOU GET: (1) 140 Amp Voltage Sensitive Relay (VSR); (1) 20 ft red battery cable; (1) 2ft black ground battery cable; (2) positive brass marine type battery terminals; (1) negative brass marine type battery terminal; tinned copper lugs & heat shrink; cable ties; easy-to-follow instructions. Easy-to-follow directions for the most novice DIYer. Power wire in, power wire out. What could be easier?"

Most people new to 12 volt mobile power kill their first battery by undercharging it.  My recommendation is to avoid the Discount Auto $432 deal and to avoid the Goal Zero.  Get a $75 wheelchair battery, a $15 inverter and spend relatively big on the dual battery charging cable.  You can probably take that Amazon ad to a mechanic and get something similar, maybe bigger wire, maybe just that Amazon product installed, definitely useful.  The $432 deal doesn't include charging so it isn't useful.  

My suggestion is about $200 and will provide for led lights, a small 12 volt fan or two, cell phone charging but not a fridge or electric cooking.  That's all the Optima yellow or Goal Zero can do for you but those prices don't include charging in a vehicle.  

To get fancy you can get things like a cigarette lighter socket to connect to the battery to plug in the little 12 volt fan or cell phone charger.

 

[Weight]

You have to have plan to recharge whatever you use from any battery you have. Goal Zero is over priced not quite good enough for most uses. It also needs a means to be recharged.
If you want a fridge, you will be best with a 12 volt compressor fridge. But even with that you will need 400 amp hour battery. That would be 4 golf cart GC2 batteries in series parallel. And a means to recharge what you use.
The hot logic type heating devices are available in 12 volt units. Truckers use them while driving down the road.
You can maybe get a 12 volt powered charger for your computer. I found one for my Thinkpad.
I guess my theme is you don't need a inverter (that schumacher). Try to reduce your power expectations while using a battery. Match your power use to your recharging capacity. Even if it is only from your engine while driving.
On a budget I would start with AGM battery from maybe Walmart or Battery Plus Bulbs, with a means to recharge. Could be a relay from your alternator, a plug in charger to use from the mains, a solar panel from Amazon. Small fans are available that use drycell batteries. Or that plug into a lighter plug. No fridge, no hot logic, Get a pot and a Butane stove from walmart. Buy refrigerated stuff on a as needed schedule. Find a Van Dewler with a set up to give you guidance. There are many in Florida. Auto store employees mostly don't know **** about anything they don't sell.
There are much better inverters than Schumacher from Questionable Auto Supply.
The tailgater you have is a jump starter, not a power supply. No mater what it says on the label.

 

[highdesertranger]

just a reminder, it is always cheaper and easier to save energy rather than make/use it. this becomes glaringly obvious when you are the electric company. the morel of the story is be as efficient as possible. heating anything with electricity is very inefficient. highdesertranger

 

[ladysawfan]

I am glad i didnt jump at the "deal". the next store i stopped said "just go online and you can get this discoount". So it wasn't a "special" employee discount. Plus. i am going to reread your answers because i dont need to jump at this. i already have the $100 tailgater from Lowes and a cooler and that may be best for now.
Thanks to all

 

[ladysawfan]

I am going to read and reread these tips as this is all new to me. I consider this forum the final word. the tailgater i have will do for now as i spend some in Airbnb.

 

[owl]

You have to have plan to recharge whatever you use from any battery you have. Goal Zero is over priced not quite good enough for most uses. It also needs a means to be recharged.
If you want a fridge, you will be best with a 12 volt compressor fridge. But even with that you will need 400 amp hour battery. That would be 4 golf cart GC2 batteries in series parallel. And a means to recharge what you use.
The hot logic type heating devices are available in 12 volt units. Truckers use them while driving down the road.
You can maybe get a 12 volt powered charger for your computer. I found one for my Thinkpad.
I guess my theme is you don't need a inverter (that schumacher).   Try to reduce your power expectations while using a battery. Match your power use to your recharging capacity. Even if it is only from your engine while driving.    
On a budget I would start with AGM battery from maybe Walmart or Battery Plus Bulbs, with a means to recharge. Could be a relay from your alternator, a plug in charger to use from the mains, a solar panel from Amazon. Small fans are available that use drycell batteries. Or that plug into a lighter plug. No fridge, no hot logic, Get a pot and a Butane stove from walmart. Buy refrigerated stuff on a as needed schedule. Find a Van Dewler with a set up to give you guidance. There are many in Florida. Auto store employees mostly don't know **** about anything they don't sell.
There are much better inverters than Schumacher from Questionable Auto Supply.
The tailgater you have is a jump starter, not a power supply. No mater what it says on the label.

Why would you say a fridge needs 400 amp hours and 4 batteries? A 12 volt fridge pulls 5 amps and that's not constant. If it were that's still only 120 amps per day.

 

[owl]

A standard deep cycle battery can run an ARB fridge for 5 days without charging. Deep cycle batteries should not be discharged over 50 %. A simple 100 watt solar panel will easily keep up with recharging. The more appliances you add the more you will need to increase your storage capacity and solar wattage.

 

[wagoneer]

A wise ol' owl, ditto. Where have you been buddy? still with the forest service?

 

[owl]

@ waggoneer No, I left them behind a few years ago. You still in norcal?

 

[Weight]

I design to use the top of a battery charge and not have much problem recharging with a limited source. But yes you can use a small battery and have a more robust battery charger.

 

[owl]

A wise ol' owl, ditto. Where have you been buddy? still with the forest service?

Adrian, I'm surprised you remember me! Where are you these days?