Your Quartsite Questions

[WheelEstate USA]

There's a lot of trading and haggling is expected. You can find about anything here at some time or another.

 

[wagoneer]

sounds like she needs a tow hitch and a diesel genny on wheels.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

sounds like she needs a tow hitch and a diesel genny on wheels.

That would be cool. She could power the RTR

 

[wagoneer]

Yes and that being re-said (unless your connected, impossible) Just get there and we will help you.

 

[blueberry]

You're welcome. You're not going to be able to power your blender using any of the portable batteries I mentioned earlier. A blender requires too much power.

Yeah, I figured. But I'll bring it along for when I have my dream setup.

One last question: I only have about $50 to spend besides gas and food money. What is the best choice for that money (to keep laptop, phone & Kindle running) or do I have enough money to even bother?

 

[caseyc]

http://www.amazon.com/Wagan-2221-6-Smart-150-Inverter/dp/B002SSJYJK#productDetails

For about $30, you should get one of these portable chargers. This should be able to power a laptop, your Kindle, and smartphone.

If I were you though, I'd rather go to a retail store directly such as Best Buy or Frys Electronics. That way you can immediately test out the product to make sure it will power your devices okay. Or if not, you can quickly refund or exchange for something else.

Most laptops require something like 65 watts or up to 90 watts. This charger produces 150 watts, so that should be sufficient for any laptop. Plus it has a USB outlet to power your phone too.

I'm not saying the above particular item is the best. I'm simply suggesting to buy THIS TYPE of product which should meet your immediate needs for the electronics you specified

However, one caution though. I would NOT power all 3 of your devices simultaneously with this charger. That's because you might blow a fuse from your vehicle's 12 volt outlet. For example, ONLY charge your laptop and nothing else. Even then, I would only maybe charge up the laptop for say 30 minutes at a time and let your car's 12 volt outlet have a break to prevent a possible fuse short circuit.

However, you should easily be able to power both your Kindle and phone simultaneously, since these 2 devices take far less power requirement.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

I cut down on those services and save some bucks. There's several places to grab some free wifi.

Keep as much of your money for travel and emergency expenses...I mean that's how we do it.
Don't wanna get somewhere totally broke.

You can bring that blender by sometime and we'll make smoothies on the patio.
Might slide in some margaritas too.

 

[caseyc]

Here are other similar choices for this type of product, see below. The important thing to consider is that the charger must be powerful enough to charge your device, but to avoid blowing a fuse due to drawing too much power out of your vehicle's 12 volt outlet. That would mean to not get or use a charger that's too powerful given your vehicle's limits.

http://www.amazon.com/inverter-adapter-charger-notebook-MRI1511FU/dp/B0040U3MI8/ref=pd_sbs_auto_9

http://www.amazon.com/Wagan-EL2405-100-Watt-Inverter-Socket/dp/B0017ONDXE/ref=pd_sbs_auto_4

http://www.amazon.com/Wagan-2402-5-Smart-Inverter-2-1Amps/dp/B00527ZAMY/ref=pd_sbs_auto_2

 

[blueberry]

Thank you both so much! We have a Frye's not far from here. I'll go there tomorrow. And bindi&us, I'll definitely bring the blender by for margaritas!

 

[caseyc]

I suppose I could bring my 2,000 watt Yamaha inverter/generator. That should power up at least 100 blenders so everyone can be drinking margaritas full tilt, haha!

 

[blueberry]

Oh, one more thing, sorry -- is it ok to use the inverter when the vehicle isn't running? How do I know my vehicle's limits re wattage? I have a 6 cylinder GMC Safari.

 

[caseyc]

Yes, you can use the portable inverter while engine is not running. But don't do this for too long, because this will drain your car's main battery until it's completely dead, and you will need a jump which is a hassle. I would say not to use the inverter for more than 30 minutes at a time if the engine isn't running. If you want to use the inverter longer, then simply turn on the engine for maybe 10 minutes at a time just to get the juice running again to prevent a dead battery.

I'm no expert, but I *think* the maximum is something like 10 amps for a vehicle's 12 volt outlet. That means 10 amps total for all devices used. Again, I'm no expert. I would suggest you to call a local Chevy service dept and ask them the question of maximum amps your vehicle can output from the 12 volt outlet.

I have blown my vehicle's 12 volt outlet fuse a couple times. It's a hassle. It's more of a hassle for me to have the fuse replaced which is connected to the van's main battery because I must rely on a mechanic to figure out where the heck the fusebox is located. But if I blow out a 12 volt fuse connected to my auxillary battery, that's not so bad because I know how to replace the fuse connected to the aux battery, and I keep an extra supply of spare fuses.

That's also why I sometimes prefer to use my auxillary battery's inverter (instead of 12 volt) because the auxillary inverter has an automatic reset with no replacement fuse needed. That's why even though my Dometic fridge can run on either 12 volt power or 110 power, I prefer to use 110 power so I don't have to potentially replace a blown fuse. For the inverter, there is no fuse to replace, the unit would simply reset if too much total power is drawn from all devices.

 

[blueberry]

lol, *information overload*. I don't understand half of what you're saying but I will check with my GMC dealer re amps.

Or maybe I should just look for a library or McD's in Quartzsite where I can recharge... (and also, not spend so much time on the computer!) That might be a lot simpler while I get situated.

 

[caseyc]

Yeah, that's probably the best thing...give your electronics a break! In my case, that doesn't apply, haha!

By the way, all those various portable batteries do in fact work. I personally own all those items I've mentioned, and use them all depending on whatever the circumstance dictates. I can't stand to be without power, not even for one milli-second.

I am a battery freak.........super freak. In fact, the Biggest Freak of All, according to my forum title!

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Casey, it sounds like her needs are rather simple and easily solved...charge a phone, laptop, a reading light, and make sure the van starts each day. We have some equipment not in use right now. I think we can fix her up once she gets out here since she doesn't need it all where she is and its only a short trip for her when its time. Budget seems to be a consideration at the moment also.

 

[hippiechk]

There is so much good info its hard to find a decent contribution *smile*. One thing regarding the location of fuse panels and the rating of outlets, etc...your owners manual! One of the most useful pieces of gear that comes with your van. If you bought used and didn't get the manual with it - buy one!! My last van service even my mechanic had to use my manual to get the right code to reset my oil readout...his computer spit out the wrong one. He is a great mechanic (love you Kieth), oldschool (absolutely no rip-off work) and very experienced (30+ years) but without the manual I'd still be looking at an oil readout that told me I had 10% (by now it bould be beaking off at me) viability when in fact I had 98% when I left home and still have 75% after 3383.5 miles.

Best of everything...

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Yup, they provide owner manuals for a reason. Even an experienced driver should look over theirs to know what info it contains.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Desert dwellers like their old cars and this area has its fair share. During the season there will be car shows popping up from time to time.
Dec 7th there's a "Show and Shine" right up the street from us and we'll be there.
Love seeing the oldies

 

[WheelEstate USA]

If you like Redbox DVDs there is a machine at Family Dollar on the east end of town. Its the only one we've found on the website, but will look around some more too.

I guess y'all know Redbox sends promo codes to your email and to text. Sometimes its a freebie, sometimes a discount. We rent often on the road and like those promos.

We're off the next 6 days, so we're going to bike around and let y'all know what we find.

 

[Lifemagician]

http://www.amazon.com/Wagan-2221-6-Smart-150-Inverter/dp/B002SSJYJK#productDetails

For about $30, you should get one of these portable chargers. This should be able to power a laptop, your Kindle, and smartphone.

I found that an inverter in itself takes quite a bit of power to run. I googled my laptop model and 12 volt chargers, and found one to go directly into the 12v outlet, and into the computer. Sometimes I run it for an hour or more without problems.

And when I run it from the house battery I always have the fridge going at the same time, without a hiccup.

Lifey