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I've been plugging my laptop into the front dash of my motorhome. Everyone has told me this does not draw much power. Anyway, after three days of sitting without any hookups, I went to start it today to drive over to the dump station. Nothing but a grinding noise.

So I called Coachnet and started my generator in the meantime, thinking it might recharge my engine battery but not knowing for sure. They called back and suggested I let it run for maybe 40 minutes. Then I called my engineer son and left a message. He called me back and reminded me I had some sort of emergency switch. I had known it was there and was looking it up in my owner's manual. So while the generator was running, I held the switch in and used my keys to try again to start the engine. Voila!! It started.

I have driven this thing 28,000 miles in 15 months and had never had to use this. I vaguely remember the dealer saying something about it during that one-hour tutorial they give you on how to operate everything. Anyway, glad I know now how it works. Thought someone else might need a reminder as I did. in case it refuses again. Battery should not have been so low, so will get it checked when I can.

You probably should have ran the engine to recharge your battery since you were boondocking.

I did go for a drive to recharge it. It started OK after I dumped my tanks. I will not be charging anything for a couple of days off that battery. At least I know now how to get it started.

I will be going for a long drive on Monday morning. If I have any more problems, I will be taking it in for service as it is still under warranty. Battery should not be giving me problems so early.

I have a friend who left the light on in his car (purchased and taken home THAT day). Didn't know they had left the light on. In the morning the battery was dead. Dealer wouldn't honor it - as said it was user error. I learned from that and never use my engine battery to charge anything when not driving. (I don't have the emergency start on my rig).

Glad you were reminded and that it worked!

Ditto what Beth said. I never use the engine battery to charge things unless I'm driving, ie the engine is running.

Judy, I have one of those switches too. When I tried to use it, all my batteries were dead. So I am now careful about battery water levels and starting truck when parked for extended period. We live and learn.

I did a google search because I was told that a laptop consumes quite a bit when charging, and have seen it myself now that I can see the draw when using my inverter.

http://www.betterworldbetty.org/why-your-laptop-sucks/

Hello Beth.

I need to add an inverter to my camping gear.

I thank you for your past recommendations - can you recommend an inverter?

Thanks.

Anne

Cudedog wrote:Hello Beth.

I need to add an inverter to my camping gear.

I thank you for your past recommendations - can you recommend an inverter?

Thanks.

Anne

The one with the best price? Actually, that's partly true - but also you want one that's pure sine wave. And make sure it'll be the power you need - but don't spend to get one more powerful than you need if it's not necessary - as I learned, like everything else, that then it uses more power. (I actually have two inverters - my 1500 watt one, and a 2nd little 12 volt one that I use when I'm just charging minor stuff. My little one is not pure sine wave and I want to replace it (one of these days).

I'm very interested in learning more about inverters: how they work, why I would want one, what kind do I really need, etc. So I'm starting a thread in tech/maint with a link to the only article about inverters I've found that I can actually understand.

Beth, I'll also post a question about your 1500w inverter.

Maybe others want to know more about this topic and I'm afraid it will get buried here.

Nikki

Cudedog wrote:Hello Beth.

I need to add an inverter to my camping gear.

I thank you for your past recommendations - can you recommend an inverter?

Thanks.

Anne

Anne, I am in discussion with http://www.rvsolarelectric.com. They are located in AZ. They have been very patient in answering my questions and advising me on solar components based upon my rig, my power consumption and my appliances. We do not all need the same equipment. My rig has a built in inverter but it is too small for solar. In fact, in three years I have never used it.

You might check out their website or just give them a call. If you are not in their area, they also have info on what installations should average, so you can feel comfortable with your local installer's price quotes.