power/battery question

**n_pertuset** · 07-04-2005, 12:52 PM

Hello. I have done a lot of searching and reading through these forums, and there is one thing i haven't found. (I am completely new to this btw). I've read how i can get a DC-DC power supply, or an inverter. If i went with a 150watt DV-DV power supply and ran it straight off the batter, what kind of drainage am i looking at from the battery? (like over a period of time). For Example: if i drove my car for 8 hours straight, and had the computer on the entire time, would it still be working? ...

**Jahntassa** · 07-04-2005, 03:40 PM

If you're driving your car, the alternator is charging the battery, so it won't matter. The only thing that matters is when the car is off and the Alternator is not charging the battery, then the battery will die probably in a matter of minutes or maybe an hour, depending on the type of battery you have.

**Mad Ad** · 07-04-2005, 08:01 PM

it would have to be a very small (or very old and nearly dead) battery to last less than an hour.

**n_pertuset** · 07-05-2005, 01:51 AM

ok. but as long as i start it up before it dies i should be fine. correct?

**Mad Ad** · 07-05-2005, 05:32 PM

sure, thats what an alternator does, recharge the battery as well as feed the electronics in the car.

anyway both the main 12 dc/dcs have line sensing where if your battery drops below about 11v (opus) for more than 10 seconds itll go into whatever shutdown mode you have programmed normally

If you plan do do a lot of on-time without recharging perhaps look at a second one with a split charge or at least a deep cycle main battery- but for the occasional hour or two at a standstill your normal battery will be fine.

In anycase, anyone that runs ice or a pc at a standstill should always carry jumpleads in the boot as a precaution.

**n_pertuset** · 07-05-2005, 11:59 PM

is the alternator powerful enough to recharge two batteries? could i hook another one up in my car just to be safe? (I have a '93 Honda Accord btw if it matters)

**Jahntassa** · 07-06-2005, 11:52 AM

It probably would be, especially if you start with charged batteries. You'd probably want to get a deep-cycle battery as a second battery, so it doesn't get destroyed by constantly draining and recharging. Also, you'd probably want a battery isolator of some sort. (I think i've seen 'em at Pep Boys recently)