Advice on deep cycle setup?
Hello, I have a Safari van that I've converted into a camper. I replaced the starting battery with a Duracell Ultra Dual Purpose (Starting/Cycling) Battery that cost $105 (got it at batteries ...
Forum Discussion
JohnnyGood wrote:
Would getting a 1000 watt inverter (pure sine wave), a heavy duty alternator, and another deep cycle battery make this viable to do while running the vehicle?
the battery you have is NOT a deep cycle battery, but a dual purpose battery... very little difference between it and a regular starting battery, except it also has wing nuts to connect wires to it.
but two of them are better than one.
you need a high amp alternator that has a strong low rpm output...
as to whether your proposal would be a viable way to get to where you want to go depends on how long you will have the cooker on... up to about 30 minutes, the plan should work without stressing 2 batts excessivly...as long as you are running the alternator. much longer and you may get the same symptoms that you are having now, but this does depend on how much output the alternator has.
and just because an alternator is rated for 100amps, the actual usable output will be closer to an average of 65amps, as the harder it works the warmer it gets, and the less it puts out... the 100amp rating is only a short circuit bench test rating for a certain amount of time.
you can buy special alternators, of which a lot of these types are used in marine applications, that are 100% duty cycle rated when used with an equally expensive special external regulator....
and keep in mind that harbor freight has a 900watt generator that can be purchased on sale for about $75... I have had one for several years now that I carry just to supply the power to the battery charger, to keep the batts topped up... and it will also run my small sharp microwave.
when boondocking for extended periods, using an extension cord, I can carry it out behind a tree or over the bank and let it run without any noise near the trailer and still have power.
it uses about a gallon of gas every 6 hours, which is about 5-6 times better than you will get with your pickup pulling a high powered alternator.... and much cheaper to replace after you get several hundred hours on it.
