jimh425 wrote:
Gdetrailer wrote:
Why bother with solar OR an inverter..
To be able to run other things AC such as phone charger etc.
Umm.. you do realize that 12V "cell phone" chargers are DIRT CHEAP and use NEXT TO NOTHING as far as power draw?
Using an inverter to power a 120V cell phone charger simply is a waste of 12V power. The inverter will draw MANY more times of the power it takes to charge a cell phone..
Modern day cell phones also tend to universally use a 5V DC "USB" port for charging.. That means you can buy a cheap cig lighter USB charger and use a simple computer USB cable to charge your phone.
We keep a cig lighter USB charger in every vehicle we have, they can cost as little as $3 for a 1A up to $6 for a dual 2A USB charger..
Each time you add a conversion into the process you WASTE power.. The idea of boondocking or off the grid type experience it is all about CONSERVATION.. You want to eliminate as many conversions as possible..
12V to 120V then 120V back to 5V is a huge waste of energy when a simple 12V to 5V plug in charger can get the job done just as well but much less wasted energy..
