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Adding inverter and/or solar to MH

Question:

Heck, for running just a laptop you can get a cute little Vector model that plugs directly into the 12v socket — no cords to deal with. They’re around $20-$22 at Wal-Mart, etc. (in the auto electronics department, usually found between sporting goods and auto parts). GB in NC Do you recall what wattage those are? I might just pick one up at that price for my pop-up as well.

150w surge, 75w for 5 minutes, 60w continuous. I thought it was a "Vector" brand, but apparently it’s Xantrex. I just found one at        http://www.DonRowe.com/inverters/xpower_75.html They want $30 for it, but they’re cheaper at W-M and other places — maybe even Northern. I can’t remember where I’ve seen them, but they’re commonly available at discount places. (That’s about the only place I shop. <g) GB in NC

Response:

Hi, I’m the newest MH owner I know….:-) I just bought a used 1991 Airstream MH yesterday and have not used it yet. I’m getting a ride back to it on the weekend to pick it up from the former owner’s house. It doesn’t have an inverter nor solar panels. I was wondering if the cost of adding one or both of these options is very high. I’m mostly interested in running my laptop off of 120V at night and while I’m driving. Unfortunately the laptop DC supply is some odd value (like 18V or something like that) so I need to use AC to run it most of the time. I realize solar isn’t related to running the laptop but it seems to be a nice way to charge the batteries in the daytime. I still have the option of just plugging in a portable inverter and using it. Maybe that’ll do for the long term….just don’t know yet as I’ve just bought the RV and it’s my first.

<snip Thanks for any advice.

Dave – Take a look at this site for a good tutorial on 12-volt: http://bart.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm I too have problems with the voltage on my laptop.  The Sony is labeled 19.5v, so I run one of the inexpensive inverters.  The laptop is old enough it is not worth the cost of a car adapter.

Response:

GB I don’t even use my inverter for the laptop. I have the 12v car plug and just plug it in the TV jack.

Only problem is that most laptop 12v cords cost a heck of a lot more than a low-end inverter. And the inverter can be used for other things, while the computer cord can’t. But whatever works… GB in NC

Response:

GB  what can I say I pay wholesale on pc parts and stuff .

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – GB I don’t even use my inverter for the laptop. I have the 12v car plug and just plug it in the TV jack. Only problem is that most laptop 12v cords cost a heck of a lot more than a low-end inverter. And the inverter can be used for other things, while the computer cord can’t. But whatever works… GB in NC

Response:

GB I don’t even use my inverter for the laptop. I have the 12v car plug and just plug it in the TV jack. Only problem is that most laptop 12v cords cost a heck of a lot more than a low-end inverter. And the inverter can be used for other things, while the computer cord can’t. GB in NC GB  what can I say I pay wholesale on pc parts and stuff .

Okay. Lucky you. <g I really meant my comment as a caution that most people would pay more for a 12v laptop cord (with only one use) than for a small inverter (with many potential uses). GB in NC

Response:

In most cases the inverters sold today are O’k for use with laptop, tvs, and other small items.  However some are not suitable since they do not have a sinewave output and may damage electronic equiptment.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m mostly interested in running my laptop off of 120V at night and while I’m driving. I bought an inexpensive 350 watt inverter for just that purpose. You can get them anywhere from $35 to $65. Heck, for running just a laptop you can get a cute little Vector model that plugs directly into the 12v socket — no cords to deal with. They’re around $20-$22 at Wal-Mart, etc. (in the auto electronics department, usually found between sporting goods and auto parts). If I didn’t already have two other inverters I’d probably buy one. GB in NC

GB I don’t even use my inverter for the laptop.  I have the 12v car plug and just plug it in the TV jack. I also have a cell phone cable that charges my cell off the USB port. Dave

Response:

Heck, for running just a laptop you can get a cute little Vector model that plugs directly into the 12v socket — no cords to deal with. They’re around $20-$22 at Wal-Mart, etc. (in the auto electronics department, usually found between sporting goods and auto parts). If I didn’t already have two other inverters I’d probably buy one. GB in NC

Do you recall what wattage those are? I might just pick one up at that price for my pop-up as well. Tom

Response:

Anne that’s what I want to do,is add a panel just to keep the batteries topped off. http://www.rvsolarelectric.com/

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You will get all sorts of answers reguarding addition of solar panels, depending on what you think your needs are and where you live.  I have two panels, live and the southwest (lots of sunshine). For me they are the only way to go. Actually I have 3, one small one keeps the engine battery charged up just fine. Do some net reading on solar, and then decide.  For my RV the hardest part of the job was feeding the wires from the panels to the controller  and to the storage batteries. If you decide to test thw waters with just one panel, make sure the installer feeds wires through for another panel at that time. Remember that you will not have battery power enough to run an air conditioner.  But I run my laptop, stereo, lights, furnace and an evaporative cooler just fine. Hi, I’m the newest MH owner I know….:-) I just bought a used 1991 Airstream MH yesterday and have not used it yet. I’m getting a ride back to it on the weekend to pick it up from the former owner’s house. It doesn’t have an inverter nor solar panels. I was wondering if the cost of adding one or both of these options is very high. I’m mostly interested in running my laptop off of 120V at night and while I’m driving. Unfortunately the laptop DC supply is some odd value (like 18V or something like that) so I need to use AC to run it most of the time. I realize solar isn’t related to running the laptop but it seems to be a nice way to charge the batteries in the daytime. I still have the option of just plugging in a portable inverter and using it. Maybe that’ll do for the long term….just don’t know yet as I’ve just bought the RV and it’s my first. "Look out, there’s a new RV driver on the road with NO EXPERIENCE driving a 30 footer." Actually, the thought of new inexperienced RV drivers makes me nervous to think I was sharing the road with some of them. <g Need to get used to driving in the slow lane and letting cars pass and all that stuff… Thanks for any advice.

Response:

I’m mostly interested in running my laptop off of 120V at night and while I’m driving.

I bought an inexpensive 350 watt inverter for just that purpose. You can get them anywhere from $35 to $65. I mounted it right next to (not in) the battery compartment. From one outlet I ran an extension cord through the cabinets behind everything, to a regular outlet under the seat by the table. Good place to run the laptop, charge cell phone, camera batteries etc. The wife plugs in a curling iron in the other outlet. (Inverter is in bathroom cabinet) The advantage to a small inverter is that you (she) can’t run energy hogs, thus depleting the battery. My fiver only has room for one battery, so the whole setup works for me. Tom

Response:

I’m mostly interested in running my laptop off of 120V at night and while I’m driving. I bought an inexpensive 350 watt inverter for just that purpose. You can get them anywhere from $35 to $65.

Heck, for running just a laptop you can get a cute little Vector model that plugs directly into the 12v socket — no cords to deal with. They’re around $20-$22 at Wal-Mart, etc. (in the auto electronics department, usually found between sporting goods and auto parts). If I didn’t already have two other inverters I’d probably buy one. GB in NC

Response:

Hi, I’m the newest MH owner I know….:-) I just bought a used 1991 Airstream MH yesterday and have not used it yet. I’m getting a ride back to it on the weekend to pick it up from the former owner’s house. It doesn’t have an inverter nor solar panels. I was wondering if the cost of adding one or both of these options is very high. I’m mostly interested in running my laptop off of 120V at night and while I’m driving. Unfortunately the laptop DC supply is some odd value (like 18V or something like that) so I need to use AC to run it most of the time. I realize solar isn’t related to running the laptop but it seems to be a nice way to charge the batteries in the daytime. I still have the option of just plugging in a portable inverter and using it. Maybe that’ll do for the long term….just don’t know yet as I’ve just bought the RV and it’s my first. "Look out, there’s a new RV driver on the road with NO EXPERIENCE driving a 30 footer." Actually, the thought of new inexperienced RV drivers makes me nervous to think I was sharing the road with some of them. <g Need to get used to driving in the slow lane and letting cars pass and all that stuff… Thanks for any advice.

Response:

You can add an 2000 watt inverter for about $200.00. Solor power costs to much to actually use it for anything. Like $600.00 for a 100 watt panel and that’s assuming you get 15 hours of sun a day and live on the equator.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I’m the newest MH owner I know….:-) I just bought a used 1991 Airstream MH yesterday and have not used it yet. I’m getting a ride back to it on the weekend to pick it up from the former owner’s house. It doesn’t have an inverter nor solar panels. I was wondering if the cost of adding one or both of these options is very high. I’m mostly interested in running my laptop off of 120V at night and while I’m driving. Unfortunately the laptop DC supply is some odd value (like 18V or something like that) so I need to use AC to run it most of the time. I realize solar isn’t related to running the laptop but it seems to be a nice way to charge the batteries in the daytime. I still have the option of just plugging in a portable inverter and using it. Maybe that’ll do for the long term….just don’t know yet as I’ve just bought the RV and it’s my first. "Look out, there’s a new RV driver on the road with NO EXPERIENCE driving a 30 footer." Actually, the thought of new inexperienced RV drivers makes me nervous to think I was sharing the road with some of them. <g Need to get used to driving in the slow lane and letting cars pass and all that stuff… Thanks for any advice.

Response:

You will get all sorts of answers reguarding addition of solar panels, depending on what you think your needs are and where you live.  I have two panels, live and the southwest (lots of sunshine). For me they are the only way to go. Actually I have 3, one small one keeps the engine battery charged up just fine. Do some net reading on solar, and then decide.  For my RV the hardest part of the job was feeding the wires from the panels to the controller  and to the storage batteries. If you decide to test thw waters with just one panel, make sure the installer feeds wires through for another panel at that time. Remember that you will not have battery power enough to run an air conditioner.  But I run my laptop, stereo, lights, furnace and an evaporative cooler just fine.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I’m the newest MH owner I know….:-) I just bought a used 1991 Airstream MH yesterday and have not used it yet. I’m getting a ride back to it on the weekend to pick it up from the former owner’s house. It doesn’t have an inverter nor solar panels. I was wondering if the cost of adding one or both of these options is very high. I’m mostly interested in running my laptop off of 120V at night and while I’m driving. Unfortunately the laptop DC supply is some odd value (like 18V or something like that) so I need to use AC to run it most of the time. I realize solar isn’t related to running the laptop but it seems to be a nice way to charge the batteries in the daytime. I still have the option of just plugging in a portable inverter and using it. Maybe that’ll do for the long term….just don’t know yet as I’ve just bought the RV and it’s my first. "Look out, there’s a new RV driver on the road with NO EXPERIENCE driving a 30 footer." Actually, the thought of new inexperienced RV drivers makes me nervous to think I was sharing the road with some of them. <g Need to get used to driving in the slow lane and letting cars pass and all that stuff… Thanks for any advice.

Response:

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