Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » 110 power supply
| 110 power supply [message #80165] |
Sun, 11 April 2010 13:41  |
Smitty52
Messages: 181
Registered: July 2007
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In a few weeks we fly out to Calif to pick up our coach. Lisa has a medical condition that requires IV infusion for 6 hours during the day and then all night. Her IV pump has a battery pack that needs to be charged daily. We are wondering what people have found to provide about 400 watts of 110 power while on the move. We really don't want to be tied to ground power every night. Our coach has a 12V outlet in the back and I assume on the dash. If not, it soon will have. Anyway, any ideas? I am sure someone has the answer.
Thanks
Wayne and Lisa,
Bolton Landing, NY,
Patriot Guard Rider,
Standing for those who stood for us.
[Updated on: Sun, 11 April 2010 13:42] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] 110 power supply [message #80168 is a reply to message #80165] |
Sun, 11 April 2010 14:03  |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
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An inexpensive inverter should do the trick with no ill effects.
On Sun, Apr 11, 2010 at 11:41 AM, Wayne E LaMothe <superglider@juno.com> wrote:
>
>
> In a few weeks we fly out to Calif to pick up our coach. Lisa has a medical condition that requires IV infusion for 6 hours during the day and then all night. Her IV pump has a battery pack that needs to be charged daily. We are wondering what people have found to provide about 400 watts of 110 power while on the move. We really don't want to be tied to ground power every night. Our coach has a 12V oulet in the back and I assume on the dash. If not, it soon will have. Anyway, any ideas? I am sure someone has the answer.
>
> Thanks
> --
> Wayne and Lisa,
> Bolton Landing, NY,
>
> Patriot Guard Rider,
> Standing for those who stood for us.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
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--
Steve Ferguson
'76 EII
Sierra Vista, AZ
Urethane bushing source
www.bdub.net/ferguson/
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| Re: [GMCnet] 110 power supply [message #80173 is a reply to message #80165] |
Sun, 11 April 2010 14:52 |
GMCWiperMan
Messages: 1248
Registered: December 2007
Karma: 1
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Walter,
Here's a link to Sam's Club. They've got a much broader range of inverters
than I had any idea. There are a couple of 400W units that are cheap and
may suffice. But you need to be sure that the medical unit can run on a
modified sine wave inverter. If not, the $388 1000W pure sine wave may be a
better choice -- but it WILL require SHORT HEAVY cables to connect it to the
battery. The 400 W unit can run from the dash cigarette lighter outlet --
and PERHAPS other outlets.
http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/search.do?searchtype=simple&catg=1&simplesearchfor=inverter&x=0&y=0&simpleitemtype=0
Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven
www.gmcwipersetc.com
On Sun, Apr 11, 2010 at 2:41 PM, Wayne E LaMothe <superglider@juno.com>wrote:
>
>
> In a few weeks we fly out to Calif to pick up our coach. Lisa has a
> medical condition that requires IV infusion for 6 hours during the day and
> then all night. Her IV pump has a battery pack that needs to be charged
> daily. We are wondering what people have found to provide about 400 watts
> of 110 power while on the move. We really don't want to be tied to ground
> power every night. Our coach has a 12V oulet in the back and I assume on
> the dash. If not, it soon will have. Anyway, any ideas? I am sure someone
> has the answer.
>
> Thanks
> --
> Wayne and Lisa,
> Bolton Landing, NY,
>
> Patriot Guard Rider,
> Standing for those who stood for us.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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| Re: 110 power supply [message #80174 is a reply to message #80165] |
Sun, 11 April 2010 15:13 |
idrob
Messages: 645
Registered: January 2005
Location: Central Idaho
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| Wayne E LaMothe wrote on Sun, 11 April 2010 11:41 |
In a few weeks we fly out to Calif to pick up our coach. Lisa has a medical condition that requires IV infusion for 6 hours during the day and then all night. Her IV pump has a battery pack that needs to be charged daily. We are wondering what people have found to provide about 400 watts of 110 power while on the move. We really don't want to be tied to ground power every night. Our coach has a 12V outlet in the back and I assume on the dash. If not, it soon will have. Anyway, any ideas? I am sure someone has the answer.
Thanks
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This company has wonderful prices and great inverters, and fast service. Here is a sample URL to one which would fit your needs. This is a sine wave one which I would recommend for medical equipment. Modified sine wave might work, but it is always better to use pure sine wave.
http://www.donrowe.com/inverters/puresine_600.html
You can search their site for other units.
Rob Allen
former owner of '76 x-PB
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| Re: [GMCnet] 110 power supply [message #80175 is a reply to message #80173] |
Sun, 11 April 2010 15:16 |
Keith V
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
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Remember the 1000w unit will only need the big cables if you are actually pulling 1000w from it.
If you are only running 400w, whats the difference?
And I would be leary of running a 400w device from a 400 watt inverter, too close in my book! Go for 600w or more.
Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
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| Re: 110 power supply [message #80178 is a reply to message #80165] |
Sun, 11 April 2010 15:32 |
midlf
Messages: 2212
Registered: July 2007
Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
Karma: 1
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| Wayne E LaMothe wrote on Sun, 11 April 2010 13:41 |
In a few weeks we fly out to Calif to pick up our coach. Lisa has a medical condition that requires IV infusion for 6 hours during the day and then all night. Her IV pump has a battery pack that needs to be charged daily. We are wondering what people have found to provide about 400 watts of 110 power while on the move. We really don't want to be tied to ground power every night. Our coach has a 12V outlet in the back and I assume on the dash. If not, it soon will have. Anyway, any ideas? I am sure someone has the answer.
Thanks
|
I believe you are having Miguel work on your coach. Call him and tell him what you need and ask him if your coach has adequate house battery capacity to do what you need. Have him upgrade if necessary.
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
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| Re: [GMCnet] 110 power supply [message #80193 is a reply to message #80178] |
Sun, 11 April 2010 16:39 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Steve,
GOOD POINT! Figures that a guy that works in the power supply industry would
come up with this! ;-)
Wayne,
I just did a eBay search for "inverter" and got 42 thousand hits, I noticed
that 500 watt models are around $30. It might be a good idea to buy a spare
- just in case!
Regards,
Rob Mueller
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion-The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion-Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Steve Southworth
Sent: Monday, 12 April 2010 6:33 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] 110 power supply
I believe you are having Miguel work on your coach. Call him and tell him
what you need and ask him if your coach has adequate house battery capacity
to do what you need. Have him upgrade if necessary.
--
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150
Palmyra WI
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] 110 power supply [message #80194 is a reply to message #80176] |
Sun, 11 April 2010 16:41 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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| Chuck Garton wrote on Sun, 11 April 2010 15:21 |
Keep in mind, the 12VDC outlet in the dash was wired to the starting
battery. If you are going to run the inverter without the 403 running
I would rewire the 12VDC outlet to the house battery.
Chuck Garton
77 Kingsley 455
Ridgecrest, CA
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First you are not going to pull 400 watts through the front cigarette lights plug. 400 watts at 12 volts is 33 amps and that does not include the additional power consumed by losses in the inverter.
If you could pull that kind of amperage it would kill your engine battery in an hour or two.
You could wire up a cigarette lighter adapter to the house system which is accessible in the cabinet under the drawers but I still do not think you will have enough battery power to supply 400 watts for that length of time.
Now going down the road with the alternator running or with the Onan running, that is a different story. The alternator will easily put out that kind of current so you should be OK. Hard wire the inverter to the house system with wiring heavy enough for 40 amps and use it while you are running down the road.
Even with a good pair of house batteries, if you are parked over a couple of hours and are running that thing you will need shore power or the Onan running.
Are you sure that really consumes 400 watts?
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] 110 power supply [message #80196 is a reply to message #80193] |
Sun, 11 April 2010 16:46 |
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The bigger and better units are made for attaching directly to the battery;
at least as they are sold. I'd check out the possibility of putting an
inverter in the house and running cables to the house battery. For some of
us, that means placing the inverter near the front, others is means near the
rear.
Those types with the short cable and alligator clips must assume you're
going to raise the hood and enjoy 110 for about an hour or so. That,
however, isn't the reality in your situation.
If, however, the battery on the pump is all that gets recharged, I should
think a 400 watt unit would work well while running down the road.
Byron Songer
1978 Royale by Coachmen
Louisville, KY
Personal - http://web.me.com/bnsonger
Eastern States - http://www.gmceast.com
Rob Mueller wrote:
> Steve,
>
> GOOD POINT! Figures that a guy that works in the power supply industry would
> come up with this! ;-)
>
> Wayne,
>
> I just did a eBay search for "inverter" and got 42 thousand hits, I noticed
> that 500 watt models are around $30. It might be a good idea to buy a spare
> - just in case!
>
> Regards,
> Rob Mueller
> Sydney, Australia
> AUS '75 Avion-The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion-Double Trouble TZE365V100426
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
> [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Steve Southworth
> Sent: Monday, 12 April 2010 6:33 AM
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] 110 power supply
>
>
> I believe you are having Miguel work on your coach. Call him and tell him
> what you need and ask him if your coach has adequate house battery capacity
> to do what you need. Have him upgrade if necessary.
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
--
Byron Songer
Full-timing to enjoy the USA
Former owner but still an admirer
GMC paint schemes at -
http://www.songerconsulting.net
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| Re: [GMCnet] 110 power supply [message #80213 is a reply to message #80196] |
Sun, 11 April 2010 17:47 |
Smitty52
Messages: 181
Registered: July 2007
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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OK, I need to back up a bit. It has been 35+ years since I had to figure out anything electrical. To make it all seem more doable I actually looked at the charging unit for the battery packs - this time with my glasses on! I was doubling the requirement to be safe. After further review it is 17watts at 110 not 170watts. Helps when you can see the tiny print. That means the unit pulls .154 amps according to my calculations. Yes, no? I would then assume it would be about 1.5 amps at 12V?
The pump will not be run off the inverter. It will be used to charge the battery pack after it has been disconnected from the pump. Thanks for the ideas and taking the time to respond.
Wayne and Lisa,
Bolton Landing, NY,
Patriot Guard Rider,
Standing for those who stood for us.
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| amps from cig lighter [message #80235 is a reply to message #80213] |
Sun, 11 April 2010 19:58 |
bukzin
Messages: 840
Registered: April 2004
Location: North California
Karma: 0
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Hey guys,
With a standard/factory cigarette lighter
approx. how many 12 volt amps should we expect?
Bukzin
1977 Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] 110 power supply [message #80246 is a reply to message #80213] |
Sun, 11 April 2010 20:26 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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| Wayne E LaMothe wrote on Sun, 11 April 2010 17:47 |
OK, I need to back up a bit. It has been 35+ years since I had to figure out anything electrical. To make it all seem more doable I actually looked at the charging unit for the battery packs - this time with my glasses on! I was doubling the requirement to be safe. After further review it is 17watts at 110 not 170watts. Helps when you can see the tiny print. That means the unit pulls .154 amps according to my calculations. Yes, no? I would then assume it would be about 1.5 amps at 12V?
The pump will not be run off the inverter. It will be used to charge the battery pack after it has been disconnected from the pump. Thanks for the ideas and taking the time to respond.
|
OK let's start over with these new figures.
17 watts at 12 volts is approximately 1.5 amps.
17 watts at 120 volts is approximately .15 amps
With inverter losses I would guess the whole arrangement will draw 2.5 amps or less at 12 volts DC.
These much smaller figures we can work with.
Any decent inverter should be able to supply your needs.
work. I would not go overboard on size because there are some losses in the inverter and the larger the inverter usually the higher the losses.
You can get 75 to 100 watt inverters for $30.00 or less. I have one that I use all the time to power my laptop and recharge my laptop battery. My laptop uses about 70 watts.
These will plug in to the cigarette lighter and run with no problems. I just would not leave it on overnight.
If you want to use it over night I would attach it to the house battery. If you have 76 or later GM coach then the house battery(s) are in the rear and the house fuses are in the same cabinet that I mentioned before.
Simply wire or throw a couple of alligator clips on one of the fuses and ground. Wally World has them already made up with about a 6 or 8 foot cable. They cost around $5.00. Also any truck stop will have them for about double the price.
You should be fine at these reduced wattage figures. 2.5 amps is nothing to worry about.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
[Updated on: Sun, 11 April 2010 20:29] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: amps from cig lighter [message #80250 is a reply to message #80240] |
Sun, 11 April 2010 20:33 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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| mcolie wrote on Sun, 11 April 2010 20:08 |
| bukzin wrote on Sun, 11 April 2010 20:58 |
Hey guys,
With a standard/factory cigarette lighter
approx. how many 12 volt amps should we expect?
|
10 Amps -
I don't have any of the documentation in front of me, so I can't tell you what a GMC is fused at, but going over 10amp on a 12V mousehole is just not a good idea - EVER.
Some that I know are fused at 15A - most are less.
The associated hardware gets real bad even at that load.
(A question I frequently have to answer.)
Matt
|
I burned one up one time using a long term power supply drawing less than 10 amps.
I agree. Keep any long term load under 10 amps. If you need higher, wire it direct.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] amps from cig lighter [message #80254 is a reply to message #80235] |
Sun, 11 April 2010 20:32 |
zhagrieb
Messages: 676
Registered: August 2009
Location: Portland Oregon
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Cigarette lighters are notorious for poor electrical connection. Poor
connection means high contact resistance means increased current flow and
excessive voltage drop means potential damage to devices not to mention
overheating of the plug itself. Glenn
On Sun, Apr 11, 2010 at 5:58 PM, Richard <bukzin@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Hey guys,
>
> With a standard/factory cigarette lighter
> approx. how many 12 volt amps should we expect?
> --
> Bukzin
> 1977 Palm Beach
> Chico California
> _______________________________________________
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Glenn Giere, Portland OR, K7GAG
'73 "Moby the Motorhome" 26'
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| Re: [GMCnet] amps from cig lighter [message #80283 is a reply to message #80250] |
Mon, 12 April 2010 08:45 |
mlincoln
Messages: 107
Registered: August 2006
Location: Salt Lake City
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Many infusion pumps I've seen use those small, 12v sealed batteries with the small tabs, similar to what I use in the sailplane to power the electrical system. Some compact ones use NiCads. These are intended as backup batteries, but operate for at least several hours (long enough for extended smoking breaks, trips to radiology, the canteen, etc). You should check with a durable medical supplier to see what batteries your pump uses. Perhaps you could get a couple of those and rotate them on a charger. You might even be able to jury rig a 12 v connection to the internal battery connection on the pump. Your DME company might also have an alternative pump with a direct 12 v power option.
I don't think you have said whether she needs intermittent infusions or continuous infusion (i.e., 24 hours/day operation), or what is infusing (e.g., feeding tube to the gut, IV antibiotics, hyperalimentation, or chemo). If it is an IV infusion of some sort, then I'm assuming that she has an indwelling catheter (central line, long antecubital line, etc). Make sure you're properly trained in line care if this is the case; getting one those infected, given the sometimes sketchy hygiene in a motorhome environment, would be troublesome, and you'd be far from your normal resources. Any fever > 100.5 F or night sweats, possibly indicating a line infection, would be a firm indication for an immediate visit to the nearest emergency department (as opposed to "we're only two days from home, maybe it is nothing").
Make sure her own doctor knows what you're planning to do. You might have him give you a clinical summary of her condition (problem list, complete medication list, brief note or summary) that you can print and carry along with you in case you run into trouble and have to seek care along the way.
Michael J. Lincoln MD
mlincoln1 AT gmail DOT com
1978 Coachman Royale
On Apr 11, 2010, at 9:33 PM, Ken Burton wrote:
>
>
> mcolie wrote on Sun, 11 April 2010 20:08
>> bukzin wrote on Sun, 11 April 2010 20:58
>>> Hey guys,
>>>
>>> With a standard/factory cigarette lighter
>>> approx. how many 12 volt amps should we expect?
>>
>> 10 Amps -
>>
>> I don't have any of the documentation in front of me, so I can't tell you what a GMC is fused at, but going over 10amp on a 12V mousehole is just not a good idea - EVER.
>>
>> Some that I know are fused at 15A - most are less.
>> The associated hardware gets real bad even at that load.
>>
>> (A question I frequently have to answer.)
>>
>> Matt
>
> I burned one up one time using a long term power supply drawing less than 10 amps.
>
> I agree. Keep any long term load under 10 amps. If you need higher, wire it direct.
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
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Mike
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| Re: [GMCnet] amps from cig lighter [message #80287 is a reply to message #80283] |
Mon, 12 April 2010 10:06 |
Smitty52
Messages: 181
Registered: July 2007
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| mlincoln wrote on Mon, 12 April 2010 09:45 |
Many infusion pumps I've seen use those small, 12v sealed batteries with the small tabs, similar to what I use in the sailplane to power the electrical system. Some compact ones use NiCads. These are intended as backup batteries, but operate for at least several hours (long enough for extended smoking breaks, trips to radiology, the canteen, etc). You should check with a durable medical supplier to see what batteries your pump uses. Perhaps you could get a couple of those and rotate them on a charger. You might even be able to jury rig a 12 v connection to the internal battery connection on the pump. Your DME company might also have an alternative pump with a direct 12 v power option.
I don't think you have said whether she needs intermittent infusions or continuous infusion (i.e., 24 hours/day operation), or what is infusing (e.g., feeding tube to the gut, IV antibiotics, hyperalimentation, or chemo). If it is an IV infusion of some sort, then I'm assuming that she has an indwelling catheter (central line, long antecubital line, etc). Make sure you're properly trained in line care if this is the case; getting one those infected, given the sometimes sketchy hygiene in a motorhome environment, would be troublesome, and you'd be far from your normal resources. Any fever > 100.5 F or night sweats, possibly indicating a line infection, would be a firm indication for an immediate visit to the nearest emergency department (as opposed to "we're only two days from home, maybe it is nothing").
Make sure her own doctor knows what you're planning to do. You might have him give you a clinical summary of her condition (problem list, complete medication list, brief note or summary) that you can print and carry along with you in case you run into trouble and have to seek care along the way.
Michael J. Lincoln MD
mlincoln1 AT gmail DOT com
1978 Coachman Royale
|
All good ideas, thanks.
Lisa has a central line cath attached to a port in her right chest. She does an all night infusion and 6 hours in the day for 500ml normal saline with 18 grams of L Carnitine. She had a major line infection a couple of years ago that stemmed from her gall bladder. Took less than 6 hours for the infection to get out of control. The were prepping me for the possibility that she would not make it. That was a close one! We could carry a bunch of 9V batteries that will power the pump but they do not last all night and she ends up having to change them out and interrupting her sleep.
The battery packs are the size of a paperback book and we have two of them to rotate out. We just want to be able to keep one charged at all times, hence the question to the group.
We carry a statement of care from her Doc along with a copy of all her meds. We also have the Doc's private cell number for a hospital to use along with a set of emergency orders. The real problem is that there are only about 35 Docs in the country who specialize in her condition so we get a lot of blank stares when we go to a general practioner.
Lisa's story is at:
http://www.superglider.thinkhost.com/Lisa-1.jpg
http://www.superglider.thinkhost.com/Lisa-2.jpg
Thanks for your comments.
Wayne and Lisa,
Bolton Landing, NY,
Patriot Guard Rider,
Standing for those who stood for us.
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