mr2mk1g 10 #1 March 3, 2008 Myself and two friends are about to embark on a rally down from the UK, through Europe and into Africa. We've been fixing up the car and now have it as mechanically sound for the trip as we can and are moving on to the interior. So a stereo and speakers are going in shortly... but we also want to be able to charge laptops, phones, cameras, etc etc while on the go so are looking at inverters and the like. The simple plan would be just to whack a multiway cigarette lighter adaptor in there for phone chargers etc and the portable fridge (small and DC) we're taking and use one of the sockets for an inverter to run a laptop or something. I'm concerned though about taking too much power from what is a stock battery/alternator setup. Anyone have any experience with inverters etc. What's the biggest one we can safely use without over-doing the stock car electrics? What the max amount of power do you think we're going to need for the fairly meagre electrics we're looking at taking? Would you be looking into beefing up the electrics or fitting extra batteries? cheers for any ideas Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shepp 0 #2 March 3, 2008 Hey Mat, If you've done some looking online, you've probably noticed that once you hit a certain wattage, the inverter units go from cigarette plug to alligator clamps you hook directly to the battery terminals - generally at the 300 watts and up marker. Until you hit that, don't even give it a second thought, and then you are probably still fine up to 1000 watts. A laptop will run you about 90 watts max'd out. The minifridge maybe a bit more. Phone chargers are next to nothing, maybe 20 watts max'd out. If you're still not sure, you might decide on a manufacturer, and see if they have a toll-free number. They could probably recommend a unit based on your vehicle and intended use. Good luck! edited, realized I never really answered your question in the original post. Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterward. Accidents don't just happen. They must be carelessly planned. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #3 March 3, 2008 No, that's good info mate, cheers. I've seen the alligator clip types and we could easily do that - my only concern would be running the battery dry even while the alternator's running. The only time I've ever used an inverter was in a diesel min-bus running a laptop playing a DVD and halfway through the trip everything cut out as we'd flattened the battery. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kschilk 0 #4 March 3, 2008 Considering the length of the run, I'd install a second battery....just to be safe. If you need to use an inverter, it might be wise to make the second battery a deep-cycle (marine-type) and use an in-line isolator switch. This is a common set-up for tractor-trailers, due to the need to power fridges, tvs, DVD players, etc. You'll need to have a connection to the alternator, for charging...unless you can install a second dedicated alternator, which would be optimum. If you can only have one alternator, you might consider installing a higher output unit. Is this like a Paris/Dakar thing? Oughta' be a good time! "T'was ever thus." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #5 March 3, 2008 QuoteIs this like a Paris/Dakar thing? Yup, very similar... except the car has to cost less than £100. We bought ours for 'one burger'. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shepp 0 #6 March 3, 2008 Quote Is this like a Paris/Dakar thing? Oughta' be a good time! Kevin, you beat me in posting this exact question by about 10 seconds! Definitely a more accurate response than mine - I totally missed the word "rally" in the OP. I would definitely run a second battery, deep-cycle.Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterward. Accidents don't just happen. They must be carelessly planned. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squirrel 0 #7 March 3, 2008 you may also want to search for a solar charger for your phones. great to have back up in you totally break down. ://store.solio.com/s.nl/it.A/id.80/.f?sc=7&category=109 also, when sizing electronics....watts=volts X amps. if there is an electric motor, you will need to possible triple the watts due to the startup surge. ________________________________ Where is Darwin when you need him? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kschilk 0 #8 March 3, 2008 Ya' know....we expect pics & video! "T'was ever thus." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shepp 0 #9 March 3, 2008 Quoteyou may also want to search for a solar charger for your phones. great to have back up in you totally break down. ://store.solio.com/s.nl/it.A/id.80/.f?sc=7&category=109 Solar Chargers Fixed it.Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterward. Accidents don't just happen. They must be carelessly planned. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #10 March 3, 2008 Pics and video: yeah I'm looking at putting up daily updates, prob onto a dedicated website... maybe just here or something... we'll see how lazy I am over the next month. My Stroboframe's coming off my helmet and going to be bolted to the hood and probably a couple of other places too with a quick release wing-nut on the back. Solar charger: luckily I just happened to get given one for chrimbo so I'm set there already. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shepp 0 #11 March 3, 2008 QuotePics and video: yeah I'm looking at putting up daily updates, prob onto a dedicated website... Got a route map you can post?Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterward. Accidents don't just happen. They must be carelessly planned. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #12 March 3, 2008 Route: http://www.calais2casablanca.com/rally.esp?PG=route This is my 'trial run' at an easy one before I do the "Mongol Rally" in the next year or two. That's a whole load more hardcore as it's London to Ulan Batur in Mongolia, whereas most of this one is within Europe. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #13 March 3, 2008 BTW, the route goes within a stone's throw of Empuriabrava DZ. All three team members are jumpers (though the other two are a little uncurrent) so we're going to be stopping by for a team jump... or at the very least I'm going to do a jump even if they don't. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freefallfreak 0 #14 March 3, 2008 QuoteMy Stroboframe's coming off my helmet and going to be bolted to the hood and probably a couple of other places too with a quick release wing-nut on the back. Uhh, does Wingi know about this? TripleF "Upon seeing the shadow of a pigeon, one must resist the urge to look up." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
