FWIW, I never go anywhere further than getting groceries without my
Coleman generator with battery booster cables.  $300 at Damark for a
850W unit with 2 110V outlets and the 12V outlet for the booster
cable (included).

I try not to use my starting battery for running 12V frabbitz for too
long, but it happens.  Great for using my 110V handvac and stuff as
well when I don't want to run 100s of feet of orange cable.

Just 3 days ago, I accidentally left the hatch of my other car open
overnight which allowed the dome light to drain the battery 200 ft
from the house.  Vroom...and it's charged back up.  :-)

I also helped a lady at the base of Mt. Washington who left her
lights on the same way.  No need to awkwardly position our battery
near hers.

-Karl

Karl and Kristina Bloss, Trexlertown, PA
'87 GL Weekender  "Beverley"
Busses by the Trail: http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vw/bbtt