On Fri, 27 Oct 2006 01:59:24 GMT, ml wrote:

it usually starts simple, i wanted somthing better than battery power

Hi Myles,

You are suffering from easy access to an answer to the wrong question.

First, investigate/research DC-DC converters. We've been through this
once before, haven't we?

The various storage methods you've been cycling through
Cell/Battery/Cap all have different voltage parameters compared to the
eventual load. True, the battery naturally fits that 13.6V
requirement, but it eventually fades.

With the right DC-DC converter, you can accommodate almost any
scenario you've described and efficiently transform to a steady
reliable voltage source capable of meeting the current load.

With the right DC-DC converter, you can also meet the requirements for
recharging a cap or a battery from any other source
(Cell/Battery/Cap). Flexibility allows you to move from any power
source to another and still supply your load reliably.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC