Re: 12 volt power supply
 

Michael Pardee wrote:
> <nm5k@wt.net> wrote in message
> news:1162709236.086552.176290@e3g2000cwe.googlegro ups.com...
>
>>One note.. If you do run new wires to the battery, fuse
>>*both* the positive and negative.
>>MK
>>
>
>
> Too often overlooked! In the event of failure of the engine ground the
> negative lead can carry massive currents, including the starter current.

True'dat. Which is why my preference would be to use the vehicle chassis
ground, and beef up or duplicate the battery/chassis ground cable(s).

Re: 12 volt power supply
 

Michael Pardee wrote:
> <nm5k@wt.net> wrote in message
> news:1162709236.086552.176290@e3g2000cwe.googlegro ups.com...
>
>>One note.. If you do run new wires to the battery, fuse
>>*both* the positive and negative.
>>MK
>>
>
>
> Too often overlooked! In the event of failure of the engine ground the
> negative lead can carry massive currents, including the starter current.

True'dat. Which is why my preference would be to use the vehicle chassis
ground, and beef up or duplicate the battery/chassis ground cable(s).

Re: 12 volt power supply
 

Michael Pardee wrote:
> <nm5k@wt.net> wrote in message
> news:1162709236.086552.176290@e3g2000cwe.googlegro ups.com...
>
>>One note.. If you do run new wires to the battery, fuse
>>*both* the positive and negative.
>>MK
>>
>
>
> Too often overlooked! In the event of failure of the engine ground the
> negative lead can carry massive currents, including the starter current.

True'dat. Which is why my preference would be to use the vehicle chassis
ground, and beef up or duplicate the battery/chassis ground cable(s).

Re: 12 volt power supply
 

Michael Pardee wrote:
> <nm5k@wt.net> wrote in message
> news:1162709236.086552.176290@e3g2000cwe.googlegro ups.com...
>
>>One note.. If you do run new wires to the battery, fuse
>>*both* the positive and negative.
>>MK
>>
>
>
> Too often overlooked! In the event of failure of the engine ground the
> negative lead can carry massive currents, including the starter current.

True'dat. Which is why my preference would be to use the vehicle chassis
ground, and beef up or duplicate the battery/chassis ground cable(s).

Re: 12 volt power supply
 

I am considering another choice. Other manufacturers make rechargable
batteries for the same type of application. The batteries can turn out 25
amp but the charger only requires 7.5 amp. I could keep this charge plugged
into the ac outlet in the back of the Odyssey and avoid the extra wiring job
and issues. I wouldn't consider this if the lift got frequent use but it
will probably be used once per week at most.

Re: 12 volt power supply
 

I am considering another choice. Other manufacturers make rechargable
batteries for the same type of application. The batteries can turn out 25
amp but the charger only requires 7.5 amp. I could keep this charge plugged
into the ac outlet in the back of the Odyssey and avoid the extra wiring job
and issues. I wouldn't consider this if the lift got frequent use but it
will probably be used once per week at most.

Re: 12 volt power supply
 

I am considering another choice. Other manufacturers make rechargable
batteries for the same type of application. The batteries can turn out 25
amp but the charger only requires 7.5 amp. I could keep this charge plugged
into the ac outlet in the back of the Odyssey and avoid the extra wiring job
and issues. I wouldn't consider this if the lift got frequent use but it
will probably be used once per week at most.

Re: 12 volt power supply
 

I am considering another choice. Other manufacturers make rechargable
batteries for the same type of application. The batteries can turn out 25
amp but the charger only requires 7.5 amp. I could keep this charge plugged
into the ac outlet in the back of the Odyssey and avoid the extra wiring job
and issues. I wouldn't consider this if the lift got frequent use but it
will probably be used once per week at most.

Re: 12 volt power supply
 

Art wrote:
> I am considering another choice. Other manufacturers make rechargable
> batteries for the same type of application. The batteries can turn out 25
> amp but the charger only requires 7.5 amp. I could keep this charge plugged
> into the ac outlet in the back of the Odyssey and avoid the extra wiring job
> and issues. I wouldn't consider this if the lift got frequent use but it
> will probably be used once per week at most.

That might be alright, but a few things to consider:

What is the cost of the "custom" battery/charger system? Once again, there is
nothing wrong with having heavy wiring to the back of the vehicle; this is
common in car-audio applications and any competent installer can do a good job
of it, potentially cheaper than the setup you're talking about once all the
other considerations are taken into account.

Make sure the battery in this setup is able to provide not only the necessary
current, but has the necessary capacity as well (rated in Ah, or Ampere-hours).
It's not much use if it has the juice to get the lift down, but then needs to
recharge for a long time before it can get the lift back up. You also want to
be sure the system isn't charging the auxiliary battery if the engine isn't
running, or you risk running down your van's own battery and not being able to
start it.

Finally, if the battery you're talking about here is a standard lead-acid
automotive type, you don't want it exposed within the passenger area, as all
batteries of this type generate hydrogen gas when they're charging. It should
be in its own enclosure, ventilated to the outside... unless of course, your van
is named The Hindenburg. (If it's a gel-cel battery, you're okay, although most
of those are not very high capacity).

Re: 12 volt power supply
 

Art wrote:
> I am considering another choice. Other manufacturers make rechargable
> batteries for the same type of application. The batteries can turn out 25
> amp but the charger only requires 7.5 amp. I could keep this charge plugged
> into the ac outlet in the back of the Odyssey and avoid the extra wiring job
> and issues. I wouldn't consider this if the lift got frequent use but it
> will probably be used once per week at most.

That might be alright, but a few things to consider:

What is the cost of the "custom" battery/charger system? Once again, there is
nothing wrong with having heavy wiring to the back of the vehicle; this is
common in car-audio applications and any competent installer can do a good job
of it, potentially cheaper than the setup you're talking about once all the
other considerations are taken into account.

Make sure the battery in this setup is able to provide not only the necessary
current, but has the necessary capacity as well (rated in Ah, or Ampere-hours).
It's not much use if it has the juice to get the lift down, but then needs to
recharge for a long time before it can get the lift back up. You also want to
be sure the system isn't charging the auxiliary battery if the engine isn't
running, or you risk running down your van's own battery and not being able to
start it.

Finally, if the battery you're talking about here is a standard lead-acid
automotive type, you don't want it exposed within the passenger area, as all
batteries of this type generate hydrogen gas when they're charging. It should
be in its own enclosure, ventilated to the outside... unless of course, your van
is named The Hindenburg. (If it's a gel-cel battery, you're okay, although most
of those are not very high capacity).

Re: 12 volt power supply
 

Art wrote:
> I am considering another choice. Other manufacturers make rechargable
> batteries for the same type of application. The batteries can turn out 25
> amp but the charger only requires 7.5 amp. I could keep this charge plugged
> into the ac outlet in the back of the Odyssey and avoid the extra wiring job
> and issues. I wouldn't consider this if the lift got frequent use but it
> will probably be used once per week at most.

That might be alright, but a few things to consider:

What is the cost of the "custom" battery/charger system? Once again, there is
nothing wrong with having heavy wiring to the back of the vehicle; this is
common in car-audio applications and any competent installer can do a good job
of it, potentially cheaper than the setup you're talking about once all the
other considerations are taken into account.

Make sure the battery in this setup is able to provide not only the necessary
current, but has the necessary capacity as well (rated in Ah, or Ampere-hours).
It's not much use if it has the juice to get the lift down, but then needs to
recharge for a long time before it can get the lift back up. You also want to
be sure the system isn't charging the auxiliary battery if the engine isn't
running, or you risk running down your van's own battery and not being able to
start it.

Finally, if the battery you're talking about here is a standard lead-acid
automotive type, you don't want it exposed within the passenger area, as all
batteries of this type generate hydrogen gas when they're charging. It should
be in its own enclosure, ventilated to the outside... unless of course, your van
is named The Hindenburg. (If it's a gel-cel battery, you're okay, although most
of those are not very high capacity).

Re: 12 volt power supply
 

Art wrote:
> I am considering another choice. Other manufacturers make rechargable
> batteries for the same type of application. The batteries can turn out 25
> amp but the charger only requires 7.5 amp. I could keep this charge plugged
> into the ac outlet in the back of the Odyssey and avoid the extra wiring job
> and issues. I wouldn't consider this if the lift got frequent use but it
> will probably be used once per week at most.

That might be alright, but a few things to consider:

What is the cost of the "custom" battery/charger system? Once again, there is
nothing wrong with having heavy wiring to the back of the vehicle; this is
common in car-audio applications and any competent installer can do a good job
of it, potentially cheaper than the setup you're talking about once all the
other considerations are taken into account.

Make sure the battery in this setup is able to provide not only the necessary
current, but has the necessary capacity as well (rated in Ah, or Ampere-hours).
It's not much use if it has the juice to get the lift down, but then needs to
recharge for a long time before it can get the lift back up. You also want to
be sure the system isn't charging the auxiliary battery if the engine isn't
running, or you risk running down your van's own battery and not being able to
start it.

Finally, if the battery you're talking about here is a standard lead-acid
automotive type, you don't want it exposed within the passenger area, as all
batteries of this type generate hydrogen gas when they're charging. It should
be in its own enclosure, ventilated to the outside... unless of course, your van
is named The Hindenburg. (If it's a gel-cel battery, you're okay, although most
of those are not very high capacity).