This comes under the heading of "To whom it may concern": If you happen to be one of us who is reliant on a suction machine to keep your mouth and throat operable [as my husband is] - here is something that might interest you. You can buy a "gizsmo" called a power INVERTER to use in your car to make the suction machine work while traveling. It converts 12 volt DC vehicle power to 110v AC household power. Thus the machine can go on trips. All you need to know is the watts and amps of your suction machine. [we bought a 750 watt-up to 7.o amps converter] It is sold by Vector Manufactoring, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. We plan to use it on the 13 hr. drive to Minnesota :rolleyes: Amy

I think that qualifies as an "Oh Wow" and it will come in very handy on that drive to Minnesota. Pretty amazing.
Regards JoAnne

As an RVer, I'm familar with inverters -- You can get them in various sizes from 75Watts up to 1600Watts (I've seen one set up in a Jeep to run the camper's coffee pot). The 75W plugs right into the cigarette lighter and is handy for recharging cell phone, laptop computer, etc. WalMart is a good place to find them at a good cost.

One tip when using the larger sizes of inverter is that the automobile's wiring to the cigarette lighter may not support the inverter in terms of getting the full voltage to it -- In those cases, it is best to wire the inverter directly to the battery (they make cords with battery clamps on one end and the cig outlet on the other).

Pete

Amy,
Although I've never tried to use it this way, I have a portable suction machine that I am suposed to be able to plug in to my cigarrette lighter in the car. Don't remember how long it will operate on this since I have never done it. Machine comes in a carrying case about 8" by 8" by 8". Don't know if it would work for you, but might investigate. Beats lugging one of those huge stationaries if it does.

Take care,
Eileen

Thanks, Eileen- that is interesting. John's machine is not very big [and the Ins. co. bought it for him.] It has a regular 110 plug so we have to adapt to the inverter. Wish there were more info available about these things before we need them. Amy

To add to Pete'e comment, be very careful about using those larger wattage devices. The conversion of 12v DC to 110v AC generates a substantial amount of energy (often heat) - potentially running through wires not designed to handle that load. It is easy enough to MELT the wiring in the dashboard (lighter socket, fuse box, etc.). Most car wiring can handle that extra power for a few seconds (like to heat the cig lighter), but not for a prolonged period of time. Check your vehicle owner's manual to find out what the 'sustained' load capacity is. When in doubt, like Pete recommended, get a heavy guage extension hooked directly to your battery by a pro. Only costs a few bucks and could save you a bunch in unexpected rewiring costs!! TJ

For those of you who don't know we live in the Orarks - The "expert " at the store where we bought the inverter suggested that we clamp the inverter cable to the car battery and then run a heavy duty extension cord to the suction machine in the car.I'm still trying to figure this out-Ma and Pa Clampet traveling down the road :rolleyes: Amy

Hi, Ma and Pa Kettle....I spent many happy hours on the Spring River outside Hardy, Arkansas, in the Ozarks, as a young person. Do you live near there? I might be a Clampet cousin! I actually grew up in Memphis, and my mother was a professional Girl Scout. The GS camp, Camp Kiwani, was at Hardy, near where Cherokee Village is now.

HI, August-rather than bore everyone here, I am sending you an e-mail-we might be kissing cousins Amy