Using a car battery to power an inverter?

[roosterk0031]

I got one of the jump starters with built in 12 volt power out let, usb, already had a little inverter, don't remember watts, some even have a air compressor built in, and light, good for jump starting lawnmower, inflating tires, powering weather radio when power out. Pretty handy to have around. And a lot easier to carry than a car battery.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Cobra-Elec...tput/146495563

Already has 110 outlet, the one I got doesn't have a compressor or 110 built in and might get another one just for backup power around the house.

[Baltothewolf]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I was going to suggest charging up battery #1 right when Balto gets home, and then putting battery #2 in to charge right before bed.

An 8hr shift leaves 16hrs of charging time; plenty to charge at least 2 batteries.

I wouldn't make this any more complicated or expensive than necessary.

I work two 8 hour shifts back to back, 2-10pm then I leave that job and go work 11-7. Takes about 45 minutes to get home from my 2-10pm job so it ends up working out well. The 2-10pm job I can't take a charger or anything like that because they are extremely anal about any type of electronics on post (that job is security as well).

[MyDadsHondas]

Not sure how long you could use it. Definitely a deep-cycle is best

[UltArc]

Originally Posted by Baltothewolf

I work two 8 hour shifts back to back, 2-10pm then I leave that job and go work 11-7. Takes about 45 minutes to get home from my 2-10pm job so it ends up working out well. The 2-10pm job I can't take a charger or anything like that because they are extremely anal about any type of electronics on post (that job is security as well).

I totally missed this from your first post. So it's not 8 hours of charge you need, it's 16?

[Baltothewolf]

Originally Posted by UltArc

I totally missed this from your first post. So it's not 8 hours of charge you need, it's 16?

Nono, my first job (2-10pm) I can't use it, so it will just sit in the car. My second job (11pm-7AM) I can use it. The reason I asked the original question is, I don't have the time to charge multiple batteries. I just needed a big battery that holds a crapload of charge that I can charge while I sleep for 4-5 hours between jobs.

[UltArc]

I'd just let the car charge it when you get there until lunch, then go out and unplug it and turn your engine over. 4 hour charge, then you'll have another when you go to sleep. But I would just buy an extra large capacity battery for it in the first place, and use that.

As much as I like going out of my way to do something clever and interesting, there is a time one must think about the cost and energy of trying to do it another way. Like when I wanted to repurposed an Insight battery. Yes, I COULD have done it- but it wasn't reasonable. For the energy, risk and money it would take, I could just get other batteries, save time, money, and not risk my life. Your situation is different, but the principle is the same.

[Baltothewolf]

Originally Posted by UltArc

I'd just let the car charge it when you get there until lunch, then go out and unplug it and turn your engine over. 4 hour charge, then you'll have another when you go to sleep. But I would just buy an extra large capacity battery for it in the first place, and use that.

As much as I like going out of my way to do something clever and interesting, there is a time one must think about the cost and energy of trying to do it another way. Like when I wanted to repurposed an Insight battery. Yes, I COULD have done it- but it wasn't reasonable. For the energy, risk and money it would take, I could just get other batteries, save time, money, and not risk my life. Your situation is different, but the principle is the same.

I don't get a lunch break where I work :P.

[2000mc]

dont worry, i got the solution, save electricity, save fuel, all your problems are solved.
just mount this thing on the passenger side floor, you can also do an alternator kill switch for when you have a passenger too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAz5575VqYo

[hopelitten]

i agree laptop batteries will do the trick

[BobS]

All laptops and DVD players work on 12 volts DC (and 5 volts, generated internally). All laptops have an external box (transformer) on the power line to the device. On it, you will find a number for either amps or watts, usually amps. If in watts, divide by 2 t(if in amps, multiply 1/2 the amps times the volts given) to get a generous typical usage figure. Note that adding a DC to AC converter then plugging in the AC to DC transformer box is adding unnecessary circuitry and power usage.
So, charge the battery on your non-gaimng computer, take it and the USB sticks and as backup, a good book and see how long the battery lasts. If it lasts all nite, then your problem is solved. If it doesn't, then take the number of hours it did not last and multiply that times the typical usage wattage figure you calculated above. That will be all that you need to cover the 8 hour shift. If your computer battery lasts over 4 hours, you can then run a line to your car and use the car battery to power the set since 4 hours of low wattage usage will leave plenty of juice for starting the car. Just use lamp cord wire to the car as it is cheap and keeps the resistance to current flow low. Don't take my word for it, test it. Run the computer on it's fully charged battery and see how long it lasts and then subtract that time from 8 hours and then run the computer on the car battery for the remaining hours on your day off and verify that it works. If this saves you a great amount of money, I accept donations.
Bob