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Subject:Re: Inverter/Aux Battery question
From:Kim Brennan
Date:Mon, 1 Aug 2011 23:56:43 -0400

Sharpies write on plastic sandwich bags rather nicely. When pulling parts off my vans, I often times will stick the nuts and bolts and what not into plastic sandwich bags, and then right on the bag what the part is from/for. Saves a lot of time later on when putting things back on.

(like where did this nut come from? Oh, starter motor nut.)

On Aug 1, 2011, at 12:12 PM, Loren Busch wrote:

> RE: Laptops and such
> While into the topic of laptop current draw, etc.  let me repeat what has
> been said many times before on this subject:  12v adapters are just as
> efficient (and probably more so) as an inverter!  With an inverter you are
> taking 12v DC, pumping it up to 110v AC, plugging in the laptop adapter that
> then drops the voltage way back down to (typical) 19v DC to supply the
> laptop.  And there is going to be a loss (assume 85% efficiency) each step
> along the way.  The 12v adapter is only doing that once.  If in doubt just
> put your hand on the laptop AC adapter and feel the heat loss during the
> conversion. Another advantage is that the 12v adapters are usually more
> compact and easier to haul around and store than the AC adapters.  Use the
> inverter only for those items that are 110v AC only.  And a tip to minimize
> confusion (and possible problems):  Label each power cord/adapter your have
> with a piece of tape and the description of the device it came with and is
> intended to be used with!!  Then put those power cords into their own
> individual Zip Lock bags (along with any other items for that device) and
> label that bag also.  Now find just one place in the Westy and put ALL power
> cords and adapters in that one place for storage.  I carry several devices
> and since I started doing this I've eliminated a lot of confusion, believe
> me.