2000 Chevy Gulf Stream Van

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lovestocamp55

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Hi all, I have am inverter in the back of my van and I have a small tv, vcr and stereo in the back. I do not have any other batteries in the van except the normal starting one. Why would I have all these things without another battery or two?
 
Do you have a jumper pack for when it won't start?
 
Maybe you have AAA you'd like to use.

The short answer is you need to audit your amp usage and see if your starting battery can handle it. 

Usually its not a good idea to ask a standard starting battery to do a job it wasn't designed to do. A hybrid "marine" battery would be a better choice, or a real AGM ($$) battery doing both jobs. Frequent electrical guru poster Sternwake used a 90-100 amp hour true deep cycle battery for both duties for at least a year, however he knew what he used and he was careful to recharge it daily, according to his posts.

Some very minimal power users who drive daily can get away with it. Most who don't cannot. If you want to try it, purchase a jumper pack as you will be needing one soon.
 
pid=\ said:
Maybe you have AAA you'd like to use.

The short answer is you need to audit your amp usage and see if your starting battery can handle it. 

Usually its not a good idea to ask a standard starting battery to do a job it wasn't designed to do. A hybrid "marine" battery would be a better choice, or a real AGM ($$) battery doing both jobs. Frequent electrical guru poster Sternwake used a 90-100 amp hour true deep cycle battery for both duties for at least a year, however he knew what he used and he was careful to recharge it daily, according to his posts.

Some very minimal power users who drive daily can get away with it. Most who don't cannot. If you want to try it, purchase a jumper pack as you will be needing one soon.
 
I only charge my Cell phones one at a time, ran my radio for the drive-in and charge between each movie, watched my small dvd player for a couple of movies, I normally run my engine for about 5 minutes after each movie at the drive-in. I have charged my phone overnight and then woke up in the morning and ran the engine for 5 minutes. I have jumper cables but don't have a jumper pack. I don't understand why they would have an inverter and never another battery. I can tell there has never been another battery.
 
I would like to get a 100 watt solar kit that does not mount but I have no what I'm doing lol. I don't use a lot of electronics as I cook outside using my camp stuff but I would like to eventually like to be able do cook, etc.... Inside as I camp in the winter when I go  skiing. I want to go full time soon.
 
The things you mentioned were prob meant to be used by passengers while the vehicle was running(driving). Not when it was parked.

I paid about $450-$500 for my starter 100w solar kit. Approx $250ish for 100w panel\PWM charge controller\tray wires(from CC to Battery), about $120 for deep cycle battery, $30ish for fuses between battery and 3 ciggy plugs, and then prob $50-$100 for ciggy plug splitters. Had that for awhile now and wanting to upgrade. But, point is, $500 bucks can set you up to charge a few tablets, a phone, 3-4 18650 2.5A batteries, run a fan, and watch a movie or two if the sun has been out.

EDIT: Cooking we use propane. 20# tank last 2 people 2+months with anal retentive dude always bitchin about "its boiling! Turn down the flame!"
 
Wabbit said:
The things you mentioned were prob meant to be used by passengers while the vehicle was running(driving). Not when it was parked.

I paid about $450-$500 for my starter 100w solar kit. Approx $250ish for 100w panel\PWM charge controller\tray wires(from CC to Battery), about $120 for deep cycle battery, $30ish for fuses between battery and 3 ciggy plugs, and then prob $50-$100 for ciggy plug splitters. Had that for awhile now and wanting to upgrade. But, point is, $500 bucks can set you up to charge a few tablets, a phone, 3-4 18650 2.5A batteries, run a fan, and watch a movie or two if the sun has been out.

EDIT: Cooking we use propane. 20# tank last 2 people 2+months with anal retentive dude always bitchin about "its boiling! Turn down the flame!"
The things I mentioned are my things. The vcr etc..... will be pulled out as am sure they are older than dirt. I travel alone so no one will be using anything while i drive lol. I saw a kit renogy for 189. I also use propane when I cook and make coffee etc.... I do however have a small griddle/ coffee maker/ toaster oven I would like to use at some point. Thanks for your help and lol on the anal retentive.
 
The Chrysler Town nd Country I looked at had an inverter and 120 volt outlet, stock, maybe to run a TV or something, I'd have been a bit leery unless i used it with engine running
 
ArtW said:
The Chrysler Town nd Country I looked at had an inverter and 120 volt outlet, stock, maybe to run a TV or something, I'd have been a bit leery unless i used it with engine running

I've ran a dvd player without the van running and a few other things. If i charge my phone over night I run my engine in the morning. If i watch a movie or something else I run it for about 5 to 10 minutes. 

I'm leery now though. Looking at an AGM battery or two to charge off of the generator only while I'm driving.
 

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