I've got a SureSine-300 installed in the little cabinet next to the
water tank.  It's a bit of overkill, but the PO was doing video editing
and wanted an inverter with no noise.  It will charge the laptop, but
only if it's turned on. The cell phone isn't enough of a draw to flip
the inverter on by itself.  Of course this thing is pretty savvy, and I
can just flip a dip switch to keep the inverter on and charging, but
it's annoying to dig around in there to flip the switch.

I've also got a Marinco (6amp single battery) smart charger mounted in
there, tied into the 120v plug inside the Westy, so the batteries charge
when hooked to regular shore power.

This is in a '82 diesel Westy with the stock battery moved behind the
rear right tail light (It BARELY fits) which is used only for the glow
plugs and starter.  I use a second optima blue-top as the house and
running battery in the stock battery tray.  They are tied together with
a Blue sea Systems Battery Link ACR - a "smart" relay.  I really like
the smart relay, it doesn't lose voltage like a diode isolator, but it
does monitor voltage and connects the batteries after a minute of higher
voltage (alternator working) and disconnects them after a minute of low
voltage (usually after I pull some draw with the engine off.)

Have Fun!

Will in Alaska.

On Thu, 2011-11-10 at 13:22 -0900, Mark Tuovinen wrote:
> We need to add a power inverter to our van as we will be traveling and want
> to be able to charge the laptop computer battery.  Would any List Member
> whom has knowledge on this subject please advise/assist in helping me
> choose a unit that we be sufficient for this and maybe able to handle a bit
> more should need arise.  For now our primary concern is the computer but if
> there is a unit that can handle more for a reasonable price I would
> probably purchase it as our needs may change in the future.
>
> TIA
>
> Mark in AK
> `87 Westy Syncro
>