Posted by Don Martin on 3/23/10 11:54am
Msg #328532

Finally mastered printing in the car

Wow! Three inverters later, a deep cell battery, a different alternator and alot of research....it works!! Maybe some of you are on this band wagon already but it's taken me some time to get it working in a little car. Thank goodness for patience.

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 3/23/10 11:56am
Msg #328533

Why did you have so many problems?

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 3/23/10 12:37pm
Msg #328539

Yeah, I don't know what happend to you, but

the most I have ever drawn from my car system with the printer on is 10 amps (I have a meter to monitor current draw to the inverter). I can run my setup from my motorcycle with it's 35 amp alternator(engine running, of course). Most modern auto / truck alternators put out at least 100 amps. All the info you needed was right here on good 'ol Notary Rotary using the orange search button. There wasn't a need for a deep cycle battery unless you plan on running extended periods without the car engine running. You should keep the car running while printing anyway as your inverter will shut off when battery voltage drops below 10.5 volts. If you have been using your system for a while with the engine off, it's is difficult to judge when you will reach 10.5 volts shutting off the inverter and spoiling your print job. Yes, I know many hook a voltmeter up or have one in their car, but it may not jibe with the inverter's measurement.

Sorry you had issues. It should have been a simple thing.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 3/23/10 12:44pm
Msg #328542

One more thing ....

Did you replace your regular battery with a deep cycle or are you running two batteries? You see, a regular starting battery is made for short, but very high bursts of power to start the car. A deep cycle battery is made for low current draws over a long period of time and can withstand 500 to 1000 charge / discharge cycles. If you try to start your car with a deep cycle battery, it will work, but battery life will be short. Ditto if you try to put a regular car battery through a lot of charge / discharge cycles. You will get maybe 50 cycles before it's done. There are combo batteries that are suppose to do both things, but they don't do either very well.

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 3/23/10 12:51pm
Msg #328546

Re: One more thing ....

Glenn always knows his stuff.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 3/23/10 2:29pm
Msg #328585

Only because

I am getting old and I have already made the mistakes in a previous attempt ........

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 3/23/10 3:25pm
Msg #328599

Re: Only because

Yeah, yeah your our guru Glenn.