Charging battery

[MaximumRide]

ok, so I know i need an inverter and how it works.<br>What I need to know is, how to recharge the battery.<br>I know my car chargers the battery as i drive, but wouldnt it be bad to be changing batteries all the time?<br><br>

 

[Seraphim]

changing batteries&nbsp;

<br><br>Do you mean 'charging batteries'?<br><br>Batteries can only be recharged so many times before the battery can no longer hold one, and the battery has to be replaced. While the car is running, the alternator powers the car's electrical needs and recharges the car battery, which is only used for starting the car. The system was designed for the car battery to last somewhere around 2 - 5 years, depending on the battery you buy. The system is designed for the battery to be under charge whenever the engine runs. So no, it's not 'bad' for the battery to be charging all the time.<br><br>When you start using the car battery for other uses, you affect the life of the battery; you drain it more, and more often. RVs have a second set of batteries called 'house' batteries, because they exclusively power the living portion of the RV; not the automotive portion.&nbsp; These too are charged by the alternator when the engine runs.<br><br>Generally, house batteries are of a slightly different construction than those used to start the car, called AGM batteries. The more house batteries you have, the longer you can use house electricity without running the engine or otherwise recharging those batteries. That's where solar, shore power, and generators come into play for recharging.<br><br>If you really meant 'changing' batteries, my apologies. Yes, it would be bad if you had to change batteries all the time - it means they were being run down too far without being properly recharged. Might be an indicator of an alternator going bad - it's putting out enough electricity to run the vehicle, but not properly charge the battery.<br><br>If that's a concern of yours, a mechanic can check the output of the alternator with a multimeter. If the alternator's going bad, you're going to end up stuck o the road somewhere.<br><br>Hope this helps.<br><br>

 

[MaximumRide]

Oucb brain hurts. Lol, this is so not my feild. Yup I did mean charging.

Ok so here's the scenario : I have my lancer and say I wanted to run a .... kettle. I have a power pack. I can buy an inverter. Power pack gets hooked p to the battery. The inverter gets plugged into the power pack. The kettle gets pluged into the inverter. I make millions of cups of coffee. Battery dies. Not what?
<img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> go to a cafe?? Lol

 

[Seraphim]

Also, if you have more power requieements than the alternator can handle (running a fridge, laptop, etc) then the car battery will start draining as it powers the extra equipment. We had that happen on one occasion, and the battery drained completely as we were driving. When the engine idled, it actually chugged because the alternator was having trouble meeting the needs of everything we were running. The alternator was also going bad, we later discovered.

 

[ped]

Small inverter to run from cigarette lighter port. Plug a standard taper charger into the inverter and use it to charge while driving. The inverter has a toggle switch to turn it off so you don't continue to run it while the engine is turned off.<BR><BR>You can purchase high amp alternators if need be, I find this works fine for me though. Of course you still have the problem that it charges at 3 amps an hour so it will need charging all day. <BR><BR>The&nbsp;other option&nbsp;is to screw some solar panels on the roof! Or get a small genset and a 3 stage converter that can bulk charge at 50 amps. But to charge that fast you either have to have AGM's that can take a high charge rate or a 200+ AH bank of flooded deep cycles. ( not supposed to charge faster&nbsp;than 1/4 the battery bank capacity at best with FLA's. It really should be 1/6 - 1/8 for best life of the battery)

 

[Seraphim]

What ped said.&nbsp; An inverter which plugs into the power plug (cigarette lighter).&nbsp; You don't need a power pack and an inverter.&nbsp; The drain on the battery should be minimal, but it would help if you ran the car while using the kettle. That way, the alternator is powering the inverter.<BR><BR>Also, car batteries have warranties.&nbsp; Buy a battery from a national store, and buy one with a five year warranty. Battery dies in that time, the store replaces it. Most national chains will also charge a low battery for you for free.<BR><BR>The problem will happen if you are running a LOT of electrical devices off your battery.&nbsp; The time we had difficulty, I was towing a car using elerctric brakes, had the AC going, powering an RV fridge, headlights, laptop on an inverter, and I had unknowingly drained the house batteries. The alternator couldn't keep up with the demand.<BR><BR>If you want to park in one place for several days without running your vehicle, then you need to consider getting a 'house' battery; one separate from your car battery. Then, if you run it down, your car will still start.<BR><BR>FYI&nbsp; FLA (above post)&nbsp;is the type of battery under your hood. Designed for short heavy drain, like statrting the car. AGMs are designed for small, constant usage and take being run down to a low level better.<BR><BR>ALL THAT SAID: I don't see the need for too much extra electrical equipment at the moment. Get the van first and make your home.&nbsp;You can make do with the car's battery, just don't overdo it on a daily basis. With time, you can increase the electrical capacity of the vehicle. If you get a good battery with a long warranty, keep the paper work (receipt). The expensive stuff is 'gravy' to make the living easier, but probably aren't absolutely necessary. <BR><BR>Small kerosene camp stoves make fine coffee heaters, as well lol. Just don't go breaking the bank with a lot of electrical equipment you don't need yet.<BR><BR>When you do make a purchase, one thing to consider first would be a portable battery pack, with which you can jump start your car, if you DO run the battery down. Especially nice if you have a place to recharge it (work?) during the day.&nbsp; They can also be used to power small electrical devices.<BR><BR><BR>

 

[MaximumRide]

(Can't afford the solar right now. Anyone know where i can get a hamster to run and make kinetic electricity? <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0">)I have owned my power pack for several years. Gotten me out of a few tight spots when my car has died.<br><br>My energy needs will be low to start with, I'm planning to run my: laptop, possibly a lamp, a fan.<br>But I am unable to plug these into my power pack, and I saw that the inverter has a special plug for these appliances.<br><br>I have two laptops, my large one comes equipt with cords so that you can charge it in the cigerette lighter, so many i can tinker with it and put it into my little laptop.<br><br>

 

[Seraphim]

so many i can tinker with it and put it into my little laptop.<BR>

<br><br>Check the energy output on the charger to the input on the little laptop first.<br>

 

[MaximumRide]

Thats what i was considering.<br>

 

[ped]

FYI&nbsp; FLA (above post)&nbsp;is the type of battery under your hood. Designed for short heavy drain, like statrting the car. AGMs are designed for small, constant usage and take being run down to a low level better.<BR><BR>

<br><br>I have to disagree.<br><br>AGM's can be made for either deep cycle or cranking. Think Optima with their color coated lids.<br><br>FLA's come in both two. For instance the popular Trojan 6V series (T-105, T-125, T-145) are all flooded cell deep cycles.<br>

 

[MaximumRide]

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal 0 false false false EN-AU X-NONE X-NONE </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="" lang="EN">I've looked up the tech specs for the power cable that goes into the power pack. From what I can tell it should be ok to use both laptops on the same cable????<br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="" lang="EN"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language: EN" lang="EN">small laptop: 110-230V.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language: EN" lang="EN">* AC Input: 100V-240V</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language: EN" lang="EN">* DC Output: 19V 1.58A<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>30W</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language: EN" lang="EN">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language: EN" lang="EN">tablet laptop</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language: EN" lang="EN">100-240 vac </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language: EN" lang="EN"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;</span>10-32 vdc</span></p>

 

[4x4tour]

Ped is right. &nbsp;Good AGM's are also used for starting. &nbsp;I run 3 Sears Platinum P-2 AGM (military spec) batteries (2 house, 1 engine).&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>IMPORTANT: &nbsp;Make sure you know what the amperage rating for the cigarette lighter. &nbsp;Most new cars are 10 amps. &nbsp;If your inverter draws more than the amount rated, the cigarette wire will melt, or blow a fuse. &nbsp;If someone mentioned this, oops... I was in a hurry and didnt read every one...</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>

 

[MaximumRide]

IMPORTANT: &nbsp;Make sure you know what the amperage rating for the cigarette lighter. &nbsp;Most new cars are 10 amps. &nbsp;If your inverter draws more than the amount rated, the cigarette wire will melt, or blow a fuse. &nbsp;If someone mentioned this, oops... I was in a hurry and didnt read every one...

<br><br><img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" height="25" width="25" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br>

 

[ccbreder]

I'm a little confused. Here is my understanding.<br> Lead acid battery; <br>Flooded Cell, conventional, around since Henry, work by chemical reactions between lead based plates and liquid sulfuric acid. Cheap, hardy, heavy, acid spills and vapors. available every place in large sizes (high amp hour)<br>Gell Cell, same chemistry, mostly sealed, still liquid acid in a jelly form, not as prone to spill, still acid vapor, more expensive, difficult to find large sizes.<br>Glass Mat, same chemistry, well sealed, can work fine on their side, very expensive, harder to find, larger sizes are around.<br><br>This chemistry any design,&nbsp; three basic types. <br>One: made to output a heavy discharge for a short time and then be recharged and charge maintained. think starter battery. will not last if discharged to low too often <br>Two: made to discharge for a long time at lower rates of discharge and them be recharged. Think your 12 volt radio. run the charge down half way and then recharge. (Deep Cycle)<br>Three: made to sit for long time with out any drain and then be ready in the emergency. Lead acid really isn't good for this use.<br>Thanks, ccb<br><br>Our house battery should be deep cycle battery. Flooded cell, Gell Cell, Glass mat, how much can you spend. But cheap starter batteries are better than nothing until I afford deep cycle.