[CoARES-D10] Seeking Advice

[Eric F. Richards]

At 11:32 PM 2/22/2005 -0700, you wrote:
>Hello to All,
>I am posting this to the list to seek advice and comments from the members
>to improve this configuration.

Okay, but free advice is worth every penny you pay.

>The follow will also be available:
>Laptop in front and rear (networked), a printer and a scanner.
>600 watt light weight generator.

Question:  Is the generator for use in the vehicle, or for field
use elsewhere?

For vehicle use, I would use an inverter wired to the battery of
the vehicle.  Specifically, an Exeltech (http://www.exeltech.com)
inverter -- pure sine wave, clean, low RF noise.

Doing this is non-trivial, so I don't want to dump it all on you
at once; there are cabling issues, fusing issues and so on that
need to be dealt with. (Ever seen a 400 A, DC-rated fuse?)

Advantages:
- no worries about exhaust when used in the vehicle
- quiet
- very clean power
- (optional) transfer switch can make it fail-over when "shore" power dies

Disadvantages:
- You are tied to the vehicle by an extension cord for field work
- When parked and engine off, you can kill off a battery in about an hour
   when loading the inverter to capacity.

I have three Exeltech inverters:  A 150 VA one in my "go-bag," A 500 VA
one with jumper-cable clamps in my trunk, and a 1200 VA one at home
for use with my computers and radios that don't run off 12 V directly;
as well as for 'fridge backup power.  The latter system is part of a
solar power/emergency system, and in the boonies is very useful.

Regards,

Eric, KB0YDN

--
Eric F. Richards
efricha at dimensional.com
"The weird part is that I can feel productive even when I'm doomed."
  - Dilbert