Jim Felder wrote:
>
> We use only fluorescents (two two-tubes) and LEDs (six)  for interior
> lights. We watch DVDs etc., charge phones and so forth through a 400W
> inverter that's off when we're not using it. We've stayed several days,
> run through a tank of water, had light and kitchen/heater exhaust fans
> (4" computer fans) all night and some of the day.

that's my tactic when using the 2nd battery of my Westy, too. It mainly has
to power the Eberspacher diesel heater but so far I've been able to avoid
using an inverter by getting all my chargers in the 12V DC-versions. If you
get a (universal) lap top charger and mobile phone charger that run on 12V
(found both in Dutch auto parts store, EUR 25 and EUR 5 respectively), a 12V
penlite battery charger for the GPS and digital camera (EUR 20 in a dept
store), and a small 12V color TV (that was more expensive...) then you don't
need an inverter. (I suppose we agree that a microwave is hardly doable
whatever battery option you choose).

I just don't like using inverters for doing stupid things like transforming
12V DC into 120 or 220V AC, just to have my phone or laptop charger
transform it back to low voltage DC again... Just feel how hot the inverter
gets and how much energy you lose in the process!

Just my EUR 0.02...

Robin

1988 Westy TD 'Joker'
2003 BMW R1150GS (that happens to use the same silver 12V plug as the Westy,
so I can use above chargers when on the road with the bike OR with the van!)