I want to be able to use a computer and flat screen LCD in an 07 pathfinder for 1 to 2 hours without draining the battery.... any suggestions?
2007-12-10 04:44:26 · 6 answers · asked by Undead 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
unfortunately there's not much you can do other than running the engine. You might be able to add more batteries, but that can be more expensive than a couple bucks for the fuel to run the engine.
2007-12-10 04:49:55 · answer #1 · answered by Dave 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your main front battery, change it over to the largest cold cranking amp battery that will fit. Then either in the engine area, under the SUV or in the back area, wire in another battery, either the same or even go to a deep cycle marine battery for more cold amps. Link them so the alternator charges both. Now run an inverter off them to a plug for the computer. This set up, with a full charge, without running the amps and numbers. I'd guess 4 hours of use.
I do mobile work for dealers and at times my trucks radio is left on for hours, sometimes 8 hrs straight. I have increased my cold cranking battery to max and I never run it down.
2007-12-10 13:01:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You will want a battery(s) with the largest reserve capacity, not the most cranking amps...
Your only solution would be to idle the motor in your pathfinder, or add a second battery (or even a third). Power inverters use a lot of power, even if there isn't anything plugged in to them.
If you are near an outlet, you could use a battery charger and plug it in to replenish the battery/batteries while the vehicle is off.
2007-12-10 21:44:52 · answer #3 · answered by boogie_4wheel 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you mean a desktop computer, even with an LCD screen your inverter is going to be pulling close to 20 amps from the battery, which will kill it in about 3 or 4 hours if it's new. faster if it's a few years old.
2007-12-10 17:10:54 · answer #4 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may ultimately shorten battery and alternator life a little, but a laptop doesn't use THAT much power. I doubt an hour or two without the engine on is going to hurt anything.
2007-12-10 12:59:27 · answer #5 · answered by silverbullet 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NOPE...........WHAT YOU ARE ASKING JUST IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN AND BY DOING IT ON A REGULAR BASIS, THE BATTERY WILL SLOWLY GO DOWN IN CHARGE AND THE ALTERNATOR WILL BE FORCED TO PUT OUT MORE AMPS ON A REGULAR BASIS THUS CAUSING HE ALTERNATOR TO FRY ITSELF.
2007-12-10 12:53:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋