On Sat, 20 Dec 2008 19:14:24 -0500, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote:

Why would I want to forget jump start batteries? They charge relatively
easily off a lighter socket cord, and have enough power to run a fluorescent
light for a while.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.


"Jim Rusling" wrote in message
rg...

In addition to what the others have said, forget about the jump start
batteries. I use deep discharge batteries, like trolling motor
batteries, along with an inverter. With a properly sized inverter it
will handle compact florescence lights without any problem. An
inverter big enough for the fridge will run one battery down pretty
quick. Be sure and get a good intelligent battery charger and top the
batteries off every month or so.


A normal "jump start
battery is 12 to 22 AH. When it's dead, you are out of power unless
you have a generator to recharge it.
A pair of 6 volt golf cart batteries (GC2H) is about 225 AH - an
average trolling motoer battery somewhere around 100AH.. That is
1.2kwh - equivalent to running the 1000 watt Honda for 1.2 hours.

The generator is a lot more flexible - particularly the inverter type
"E" series Hondas which throttle to provide only the amount of power
being drawn - unlike a normal AC generator that needs to run at a
fixed speed regardless of load.
Just make sure you have gasoline available, or it is as useless as a
dead battery.