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mfeinstein Samba Member
Joined: August 11, 2017 Posts: 1 Location: Santa Monica, CA
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Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 3:38 pm Post subject: 1970 Transporter - Alternating Current? |
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I have a beautiful 1970 Transporter and am looking to expand the electricity options while traveling out of the vehicle.
I know there is the option to have a heavy weight power cord connected to the outside of the vehicle to get electrical power on the side panel on the inside - and I have such a cord. I also know that there is no cigarette lighter outlet in the front into which an adapter can be plugged in to get direct alternating current, the way many other vehicles of the era had.
My question is, is there anything in the front of the vehicle that can be modified in order to have it operate like the cigarette lighter outlets did in other older vehicles of that era, so that I could use that to use the vehicle's battery to charge my lap top computer and other such devices
Thanks |
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busdaddy Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 51057 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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Wildthings Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50259
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Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 4:49 pm Post subject: Re: 1970 Transporter - Alternating Current? |
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Don't expect unlimited power from your battery and charging systems. They are absolutely tiny when compared to the Hoover dams and coal fired monoliths you are used to plugging your devices into. If you do not have a second "house" battery to store energy to handle these extra loads you may find yourself with an engine that will not start when you need it most. |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22568 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 5:06 pm Post subject: Re: 1970 Transporter - Alternating Current? |
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Quote: |
I also know that there is no cigarette lighter outlet in the front into which an adapter can be plugged in to get direct alternating current, |
The phrasing here, needs work.
There is a great book on sailboat electrics by Don Casey that I recommend budding electrical techs read. If you carry boat practices into,your land yacht, you will have a really safe install. _________________ .ssS! |
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BayCreamPuff Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2015 Posts: 769 Location: Oakland, CA
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Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 5:32 pm Post subject: Re: 1970 Transporter - Alternating Current? |
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If you want to run laptop and other devices you're in luck. They run on DC (the same current coming out of your car battery). Just buy a DC receptical and charger for your laptop (so it can plug into the outlet).
Inverters are good if you're trying to run something that only runs on AC and even then they're pretty inefficient. Charging a laptop from an inverter means you're converting DC -> AC -> DC. _________________ Cream Puff
'79 CA Stock FI Deluxe Campmobile
Earl Grey
'87 GoWesty 2.2 Westfalia
Marsha Mellow
'00 Eurovan VR6 Full Camper |
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busdaddy Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 51057 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 5:55 pm Post subject: Re: 1970 Transporter - Alternating Current? |
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BayCreamPuff wrote: |
If you want to run laptop and other devices you're in luck. They run on DC (the same current coming out of your car battery). Just buy a DC receptical and charger for your laptop (so it can plug into the outlet).. |
But many run more than 12 volts DC, like closer to 18 if I recall, unless the car charger incorporates some sort of step up converter (inverter) you may have a problem.
Little cig lighter size inverters can charge laptops through house current adaptors, but if you plan on making a latte and blow drying your beard while it charges you'll need more amps. Or a really really long extension cord. _________________ Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Слава Україні! |
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SGKent Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007 Posts: 41031 Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 7:08 pm Post subject: Re: 1970 Transporter - Alternating Current? |
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To charge different items I bought a 12V receptacle with heavy duty battery clips. It has about a 6' cable attached. Then used that on the battery to a plug-in 100 watt inverter. Then let the bus idle while charging big lithium batteries to be sure it didn't pull the car battery down. Worked like a charm. The only thing I still have to do is put a fuse inline even though the inverter has one. We use it when camping to charge things. Since things are charged when we leave home, they don't need to be recharged while driving on 1 - 2 day trips. The inverter draws about 9 amps at 12V DC to put out 100 watts at 120V AC.
from Amazon
_________________ “Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin
Last edited by SGKent on Mon Aug 14, 2017 10:02 am; edited 2 times in total |
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KentABQ Samba Member
Joined: September 11, 2016 Posts: 2406 Location: Albuquerque NM
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Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 7:13 pm Post subject: Re: 1970 Transporter - Alternating Current? |
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I bought this...
https://www.amazon.com/MEIDI-2-Socket-Cigarette-Sp...&psc=1
...and attached it with Velcro under the dash. Cut off the plug-in cigarette adapter, and splice it into a spare prong on your fuse panel. When you're done, you will not only have two cigarette outlets but, more importantly, two USB charging ports. It was very helpful on our camping trip. |
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Tom Powell Samba Member
Joined: December 01, 2005 Posts: 4855 Location: Kaneohe
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Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 7:13 pm Post subject: Re: 1970 Transporter - Alternating Current? |
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mfeinstein wrote: |
I have a beautiful 1970 Transporter and am looking to expand the electricity options while traveling out of the vehicle.
I know there is the option to have a heavy weight power cord connected to the outside of the vehicle to get electrical power on the side panel on the inside - and I have such a cord. I also know that there is no cigarette lighter outlet in the front into which an adapter can be plugged in to get direct alternating current, the way many other vehicles of the era had.
My question is, is there anything in the front of the vehicle that can be modified in order to have it operate like the cigarette lighter outlets did in other older vehicles of that era, so that I could use that to use the vehicle's battery to charge my lap top computer and other such devices
Thanks |
There is no such thing as direct alternating current. I have a 12VDC cigarette lighter under the dashboard of my '69 camper and another on the jumpseat box. You can use those with a cord like this to charge your Apple laptop.
https://www.amazon.com/Magsafe-Adapter-Charger-Mac...le+charger
You can use this to charge your iPhone.
https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Adapter-Built-Light...ne+charger
These devices should be used with caution because there is no overcharging protection.
You can add a 12VDC cigarette outlet anywhere with this.
https://www.amazon.com/Foxnovo-Waterproof-Motorcyc...%3AFoxnovo
or this
https://accessories.lazydays.com/prime-products-du...WCEALw_wcB
Aloha
tp |
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Tcash Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2011 Posts: 12844 Location: San Jose, California, USA
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NASkeet Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2006 Posts: 2947 Location: South Benfleet, Essex, UK
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Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2017 8:16 am Post subject: Re: 1970 Transporter - Alternating Current? |
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Don't forget that a large proportion of the World's domestic AC single-phase electrical supplies, are nominally 240 Volts RMS, at a frequency of 50 Hz; unlike the USA which is 110 Volts RMS at a frequency of 60 Hz.
If your electrical equipment is frequency sensitive, there might be a problem! _________________ Regards.
Nigel A. Skeet
Independent tutor (semi-retired) of mathematics, physics, technology & engineering for secondary, tertiary, further & higher education.
Much modified, RHD 1973 VW "1600" Type 2 Westfalia Continental campervan, with the World's only decent, cross-over-arm, SWF pantograph rear-window wiper
Onetime member, plus former Technical Editor & Editor of Transporter Talk magazine
Volkswagen Type 2 Owners' Club (Great Britain)
http://www.vwt2oc.net |
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kreemoweet Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2008 Posts: 3889 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2017 12:06 pm Post subject: Re: 1970 Transporter - Alternating Current? |
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NASkeet wrote: |
Don't forget that a large proportion of the World's domestic AC single-phase electrical supplies, are nominally 240 Volts RMS, at a frequency of 50 Hz; unlike the USA which is 110 Volts RMS at a frequency of 60 Hz. |
The standard USA domestic nominal supply voltage has been 240V nominal for something like the last 50 years. It is provided with a transformer center tap wire, giving two phases of 120V (not 110V). All V's RMS of course. _________________ '67 bug: seized by the authorities
'68 bug: seized by the authorities
'71 kombi: not yet seized by the authorities
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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Wildthings Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50259
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Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2017 12:11 pm Post subject: Re: 1970 Transporter - Alternating Current? |
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kreemoweet wrote: |
NASkeet wrote: |
Don't forget that a large proportion of the World's domestic AC single-phase electrical supplies, are nominally 240 Volts RMS, at a frequency of 50 Hz; unlike the USA which is 110 Volts RMS at a frequency of 60 Hz. |
The standard USA domestic nominal supply voltage has been 240V nominal for something like the last 50 years. It is provided with a transformer center tap wire, giving two phases of 120V (not 110V). All V's RMS of course. |
Most of our small appliances run on 120v though, whereas small appliances elsewhere may well use 240V. |
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telford dorr Samba Member
Joined: March 11, 2009 Posts: 3547 Location: San Diego (Encinitas)
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Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2017 11:49 pm Post subject: Re: 1970 Transporter - Alternating Current? |
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And the voltage is slowly creeping up. It's typically around 125 and 250 volts now. Many years ago, it actually was 110 volts, then increased to 115, 117, 120, etc. [The cynic in me thinks: instant revenue increase for power companies: P = E˛ / R.] _________________ '71 panel, now with FI
'Experience' is the ability to recognize a mistake when you're making it again - Franklin P. Jones
In theory, theory works in practice; in practice, it doesn't - William T. Harbaugh
When you're dead, you don't know you're dead. The pain is only felt by others.
Same thing happens when you're stupid. - Philippe Geluck
More VW electrical at http://telforddorr.com/ (available 9am to 9pm PST) |
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SGKent Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007 Posts: 41031 Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2017 10:07 am Post subject: Re: 1970 Transporter - Alternating Current? |
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telford dorr wrote: |
And the voltage is slowly creeping up. It's typically around 125 and 250 volts now. Many years ago, it actually was 110 volts, then increased to 115, 117, 120, etc. [The cynic in me thinks: instant revenue increase for power companies: P = E˛ / R.] |
The bean counters find lots of little ways to jack up their profits. It is like their billing. The late charges actually make them money - many companies fish different billing dates trying to find the ones that customers will be late on. I am not making that up - I came from the credit industry before IT. Or like I sometimes wonder if the foamy gasoline throws the amount off a little. Air is cheap to introduce and I wonder what percentage of air stays in suspension 1%? 2%? 3%? Some stations a couple years ago here in California were caught pumping warm gasoline according to the news back then - warm fluids expand... _________________ “Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin |
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