Is it feasible to have a semi-portable battery that is only powered via 110?

[NickTheoBennett]

First, thank you all for the help you've given me so far.  With help and advice from here, I built a bed, a counter top, and equipped my minivan with a nice Coleman camp stove and a Mr. Buddy.  

As a short explanation, I'm currently stealthily living in my school's parking lot in a Toyota Sienna.  For now, that rules out solar panels or anything else that might attract attention.  The blacked out windows and curtain in front already attract enough attention, since I had a campus security officer shining his flashlight in my side windows last night, trying to peak inside the wings.    

Is it feasible (considering charge time, battery health, and ease of moving) to have a battery that I carry in a duffel bag or something to charge inside a building once every few days/week?  

My power needs are small right now, so I'd be looking at around 200ah, which according to my calculations should last close to a week before it is depleted to 50%.  What would I need for this, in terms of equipment?  A battery of course (suggestions welcome), some sort of charger that I can plug into a standard wall outlet, and something to pull 12v off of the battery.  I don't need an inverter right now, the only thing I really need to power is 12v. 

Most importantly, if it can be done at all, how cheaply do you think I could do this?   Also, how long would a battery take to charge in this situation?  I know it'll vary, but can anyone guess?

 

[Reducto]

Standard wet cell batteries are out due to risk of spillage so you'd need AGM or lithium. That means 100+ pounds and $400 worth of Optimas, maybe half the weight but more cost for LifePo4 batteries. I really don't see how that would work.

I'd suggest looking at solar again. The guard probably already knows you're living in the van. Just be a good neighbor - no trash or liquids spilled on the ground, don't take up a good spot right at the front, rotate between different places in or out of town.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

200 amp hours is roughly two group 24 batteries, so you are talking about a lot of lead, nearly 100 lbs.  You need to rethink this so you charge it every day, that will allow you to use a lighter, smaller battery.

Regards
John

 

[SoulRaven]

If you can go down to just 5 volt an external battery for a cell phone or tablet would be ideal if you can get 110v to recharge from a building.

 

[NickTheoBennett]

Wow, I didn't realize that that would be so heavy. I'd be open to the idea of charging every day, or close to it. If I were to go smaller, what might you recommend? Basically, I'm looking at a 5a load, for 3 hours per day, maximum. What type of charger/battery should I be looking at, with that in mind?

 

[george warner]

First, thank you all for the help you've given me so far.  With help and advice from here, I built a bed, a counter top, and equipped my minivan with a nice Coleman camp stove and a Mr. Buddy.  

As a short explanation, I'm currently stealthily living in my school's parking lot in a Toyota Sienna.  For now, that rules out solar panels or anything else that might attract attention.  The blacked out windows and curtain in front already attract enough attention, since I had a campus security officer shining his flashlight in my side windows last night, trying to peak inside the wings.    

Is it feasible (considering charge time, battery health, and ease of moving) to have a battery that I carry in a duffel bag or something to charge inside a building once every few days/week?  

My power needs are small right now, so I'd be looking at around 200ah, which according to my calculations should last close to a week before it is depleted to 50%.  What would I need for this, in terms of equipment?  A battery of course (suggestions welcome), some sort of charger that I can plug into a standard wall outlet, and something to pull 12v off of the battery.  I don't need an inverter right now, the only thing I really need to power is 12v. 

Most importantly, if it can be done at all, how cheaply do you think I could do this?   Also, how long would a battery take to charge in this situation?  I know it'll vary, but can anyone guess?

http://www.ebay.com/usr/magma-solar-usa?_trksid=p2047675.l2559  these might work for you with that small of a van..  the size is about 25.5" x21.5" x 1/8"  you can put them  in and out when needed..

 

[NickTheoBennett]

The guard probably already knows you're living in the van. Just be a good neighbor - no trash or liquids spilled on the ground, don't take up a good spot right at the front, rotate between different places in or out of town.

That MIGHT be true, but if they can ever prove it I have no doubt that they will boot me out so fast my head will spin.  This university is not exactly known for tolerance and compassion to those in different living situations. I suspect that the heart of their objection would be the bad press - imagine if a news story went viral about how the high costs of education has driven people into living in a car in a parking lot.  

I'm also reluctant to move every night simply because living on campus is so damn convenient.  I have free food from the food pantry 5x per week, a shower and full gym/pool/hot tub 2 blocks away, and electricity and comfortable seating in every building on campus.  I also regularly attend events on campus and get free lunch/dinner.

 

[jimindenver]

So you are not using the truck for daily driving?

A jump pack that you could take with you daily may be the answer.

 

[NickTheoBennett]

So you are not using the truck for daily driving?

A jump pack that you could take with you daily may be the answer.

No, I am not driving every day.  In fact, I'm only driving 20 miles per week or so, sometimes less. Also, this might be a stupid question, but what do you mean by jump pack?

 

[jimindenver]

A jump pack is a small battery set up used for starting cars, they also have cigarette outlets and USB ports for regular use. Not as much power as a normal battery but easily carried to be recharged.

What are you looking to power anyways.

 

[NickTheoBennett]

I didn't want to say up front because I'm not sure about the general sentiments of the community on pot, but I'm looking to power a vaporizer. To those of you who are unfamiliar, a vape heats the herb (or nicotine oil, as you often see on the street) to just below the point where it burns. This causes the active portions of it to turn to vapor, which is much better than smoke

It basically gives you all of the positive aspects of smoking with very few of the negative ones. It also doesn't stink up the van like smoking does.

Now I know what you mean by jump pack, I've seen those before. I just didn't realize that they have 12v outlets as well as the jumper cables. That does sound like it might be the cheapest way to go.

 

[SoulRaven]

I think I'd go with a jumper box as well.  One that can be charged via either shore power, and via the ciggy plug.

This is probably going to be your most portable option.



http://www.walmart.com/ip/Stanley-1000-Amp-Peak-Jump-Starter-with-Compressor/13035281

 

[jimindenver]

A e ciggy, that's it? What model and what battery? If it comes out, take it and it's charger and plug them in where you would plug in the jump pack. Much less hassle.

I have a lava tube and a mini lava tube and they last for weeks vaping much more nic juice than I'd ever want to run otherwise through it. I'd be ripped day and night if I did. I can charge two of the batteries in a trustfire charger that runs off of 12v or 120v.

Last thing is you mentioned the smell. I have smelt people vaping it on the street and in restaurants, they were not fooling anyone. Even concentrates like shatter stink and the only real way to avoid that is edibles.

Life is weird since they legalize it. lol

 

[NickTheoBennett]

I actually live in Oregon, so the smell isn't much of a concern.  My comment about smell was more on the residual smell in the close confines of a van.  Smoke stinks and lingers.  Vapor still smells like pot, but it clears out quickly and doesn't cling to fabrics like smoke does.  
The model I use is not actually a standard E-cig, it's the Magic Flight Launch Box, which is meant to operate on AA batteries.  However, they offer an adapter that lets you use 12v instead of AA, which is more efficient and much less hassle.

 

[NickTheoBennett]

Maybe 50% medicinal. I broke my arm pretty badly a few years back and it aches something fierce sometimes. Other times, I just like being high. It's cheaper, feels better (to me), and has fewer negative side effects than alcohol.

That being said, I NEVER drive under the influence. The penalties for DUII are just too high to risk, even if I did think I was safe, which I don't. It is nice living in a state with legal recreational use though.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

  It is nice living in a state with legal recreational use though.

Remember that just because it is no longer illegal under state law, that doesn't magically make it legal under Federal law.

Check out this thread:

https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-Marijuana-and-Guns

Regards
John

 

[jimindenver]

Hey it all may go up in a puff of smoke with the next president. With the money the states are making, I bet they put up a heck of a fight.

 

[NickTheoBennett]

I actually read that thread with interest, and it's one of the reasons I have refrained from getting a concealed carry permit. Without the gun complication, the feds have made it pretty clear that they aren't interested in prosecuting pot users in the legal states.

 

[B and C]

Since you were talking about carrying a battery to charge, why not just put the vape thingy in a backpack with your phone.  Use a 110v extension cord into the backpack with your two brick chargers plugged into that.  You could leave the phone out in view but have the two bricks  in the backpack.  It would just look like you have your phone plugged into an extension cord for convenience.  This probably won't work if you are in the wrong state though.

They make little auxillary battery packs to charge phones from for when the battery gets low and you are not near an outlet.  Would one of those work to recharge your vaporizer with?

Just ideas.

Brian

 

[SternWake]

Lead acid Jumper packs mostly come with 12 or 18 AH AGM batteries.

http://www.amazon.com/18AH-Sealed-B...e=UTF8&qid=1444178493&sr=1-3&keywords=UB12180

http://www.amazon.com/ExpertPower-E...e=UTF8&qid=1444178717&sr=8-3&keywords=UB12120



The wall wart/ power transformer/charger which usually comes with these jumper packs charge the battery extremely slowly.

The batteries themselves can handle a 30% of their AH capacity, charge rate.

~4 amps for the 12AH AGM
~6 amps for the 18AH AGM

This is a 6 amp adjustable voltage power supply but it might be capable of 9 amps.

http://www.amazon.com/SP-75-15-Sing...980&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=MeanWell+SP+75+13.5

http://www.meanwell.com/webapp/product/search.aspx?prod=sp-75

It has constant current limiting on Overload, which is required when used as a battery charger.  It is a very compact unit.

If you drain the 18AH battery 100%, which is 10.5 volts, which you never should, then this power supply will be able to get it to the 85 to to 90% charged in 2.5 hours when the voltage is set to 14.7 to 14.9v.  That last 15% can take another 2 hours, or longer.

This adjustable voltage power supply will recharge the battery as quickly as possible, safely, BUT,  It can also overcharge it if left on for too long.  Unless you have an Ammeter it is impossible to know precisely when to stop charging, but you can estimate the 90 to 95% range, and the battery will still live a pretty good lifespan with that.  YOu can also lower the voltage to 13.6 to 13.8v and then leave the charger on for as long as you like, One cannot leave it at 14.9v for more than say 4.5 hours though.

Set the voltage to 14.7v and plug it in.  YOu will have to provide a 3 prong 120vAC power cord, and the DC wiring to battery terminals.

Wire up this product for a 12v and USB outlet and a voltmeter.  Fuses are included.

http://www.amazon.com/Astra-Depot-F...9380&sr=8-1&keywords=12v+outlet+usb+voltmeter

If you have any woodworking skills you can put the battery charger and output faceplate in something which will fit in a backpack, but allow for ventilation for both battery and charger, and do not have the electronics directly atop the battery, but next to them in a partition.

To recharge from the Vehicle when driving, there are a few methods available.  I despise Ciggy plugs and receptacles as they are horrible piss poor electrical connections prone to heating and failure, but they are so ubiquitous that it is hard to get away from them.  The Dual male ended Ciggy plug can go between the vehicle 12v receptacle and the 12v receptacle on the above linked product will work, but charging will be slow, and the depleted battery could blow fuses, and the effort required to get this method to work  better, one can expend much less effort and money and have a better safer more effective system.

It would be better to have a dedicated 10awg 2-wire fused at both ends between engine battery and portable battery pack.

The jumper packs you buy are certainly an all in one in one convenient package, but one pays more for that convenience, and the charger which comes with those jumper packs is too slow, and when the battery gets older and abused, it simply cannot fully charge it no matter how long it is left plugged in and charging, and the battery will then tank.

  A jumper pack with the 18AH battery within, would be happy to charge from that power supply I linked.  It would likely be too much charger for the 12AH AGM, and I can;t find a Meanwell adjustable voltage power supply small enough for the 12AH AGM.

As far as the greenery goes,  I'd not trust the feds to not go batcrap crazy and start prosecuting medicinal or recreational use, once whatever  politician gets into office next year.