Keep computer on while powering car

**n8scstm** · 03-03-2005, 10:01 PM

Careful plugging in any rechargeable device such as a shaver. Most rechargeable batteries will be fried by the modified sine wave inverter output. To bench test your system youll need a car battery or a battery charger that you can plug into the wall and output 12 volts. What I did with my system to survive cranking was install an aux battery with a battery isolator. Its expensive but very good.

**Vchat20** · 03-03-2005, 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by phatchink

oops my bad, k so will it keep recharging the "little battery" as time passes?

and wats the point of the diode? why shouldnt current travel from little battery to car battery?

yes, it will keep rechargin the little battery. reason why the diode is needed is because without one, when cranking, the little battery will be using its juice to help start the car which scraps the whole tank circuit idea.

**KyferEz** · 03-03-2005, 10:18 PM

About that diode, it should be a high current schottky with a big heatsink on it. To make it easier, you could just buy it all done for you. See the Tank EZ v1.0 on our website.

KyferEz

**Bigassbike** · 03-03-2005, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by phatchink

so my carputer works as follows

Battery-->inverter-->computer. I control the computer's on and off through a extended switch over the side. The computer can be turned on without the car being on.

Sometimes I want to make quick stops where i have to turn off my car, when I do that, the comptuer would still be on ( thats how I want it )
but when i get back into the car and start it, the computer has to be restarted because of the startup voltage draw which takes away from my inverter causing it to turn off momentary and the computer would be off.

Is there a device that can keep a little bit of power so my computer can survive the crank?

I use the dual battery inverter setup, and it works great. I have a remote switch to the inverter and when I power it, my computer turns on. My next computer will have an opus type PS - I just can't use one with my current setup. Also if you do a search for tank circuit and surviving crank, you will find a lot of information.

Hope this helps.

**aguila** · 03-04-2005, 02:21 AM

Originally Posted by KyferEz

About that diode, it should be a high current schottky with a big heatsink on it. To make it easier, you could just buy it all done for you. See the Tank EZ v1.0 on our website.

KyferEz

Any similar products in Europe?

**KyferEz** · 03-04-2005, 10:08 AM

We ship worldwide.

As far as I know, we are the only manufacturer of any tank circuits.

KyferEz

**phatchink** · 03-04-2005, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by Bigassbike

I use the dual battery inverter setup, and it works great. I have a remote switch to the inverter and when I power it, my computer turns on. My next computer will have an opus type PS - I just can't use one with my current setup. Also if you do a search for tank circuit and surviving crank, you will find a lot of information.

Hope this helps.

YES that helps, and the romote switch is a really nice idea on the remote switch! I'm reading up on tank circuits as I type this !

Originally Posted by Vchat20

yes, it will keep rechargin the little battery. reason why the diode is needed is because without one, when cranking, the little battery will be using its juice to help start the car which scraps the whole tank circuit idea.

I just wished I paid more attention to Electronic Class in HS. Thanks for the info

Originally Posted by n8scstm

Careful plugging in any rechargeable device such as a shaver. Most rechargeable batteries will be fried by the modified sine wave inverter output. To bench test your system youll need a car battery or a battery charger that you can plug into the wall and output 12 volts. What I did with my system to survive cranking was install an aux battery with a battery isolator. Its expensive but very good.

really? but why?
I'm actually planning to plug a small fridge in the trunk when I'm going on long trips, dont scare me now! (maybe even upgrade my battery to deep cycle from the money I saved from Opus!!! BAM!)

Originally Posted by Red GTi VR6

pfft...that's not camping!

that's staying at the hilton!

bet you can make toasted marshmallow in there

thanks guys, you all helped a lot, this really seems to be the best setup for me
doing a quick ebay search I found this pocket bike battery what do you guys think? its $15 shipped
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...138862893&rd=1

But the EZ 1.0 is really tempting too, since its around $20 also, is anyone currently using that setup? I'm leaning towerds the EZ 1.0 because they're about the same price anyways. What do you guys think?

**n8scstm** · 03-06-2005, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by phatchink

really? but why?
I'm actually planning to plug a small fridge in the trunk when I'm going on long trips, dont scare me now! (maybe even upgrade my battery to deep cycle from the money I saved from Opus!!! BAM!)

The fridge will be fine, but takes a lot of power. But if your familiar with a sine waveform you'll know what I mean. Most inverters have a modified sine wave which is an approximation of a sine wave. There actually consists of small steps rather than a smooth curve. The corners of the steps are what causes the damage. Its basically dirty power. I have a gyration mouse and I wont charge it in my truck.