Charging deep-cycle U1s from car & inverter?

From: Lance Morgan (alancemor_at_yahoo.com)
Date: 06/24/04 

Date: 24 Jun 2004 13:02:06 -0700

I use a mobility scooter w/two group size U1 (pseudo?) deep-cycle
(either AGM or gel) batteries: 12V, 32ah, wired in series.

On trips, away from AC, I need a way to recharge the batts [which can
take up to 14 hrs after using the scooter for the day (don't know
DOD), using the scooter's built-in 24V 3.5 amp charger, powered off of
110-120 VAC]

I'm also looking at this charger

http://www.batterystuff.com/battery/soneil/soneil-24v8a.htm

for faster (but not too fast) charge times, and as the primary
charger, with the on-board charger relegated to backup

Would a good option be to simply use an inverter of off the car's
cigarette lighter, and then just plug one of the chargers above into
it?

Will a modified sine-wave suffice or do I need a full-sine wave
inverter? Recommended minimum wattage rating and brand names (saw
Xantrex, APC (or APS?), and some other brands yesterday at a local
Fry's)?

Hopefully I can turn the engine off, charge overnight from the car's
battery (the charging system is in excellent condition), being careful
to disconnect everything prior to switching the ignition off/on

The only other consumer I might have is a (still to be purchased)
laptop, and the archives seem to recommend using the cigarette adapter
plug-in directly (and not an inverter)

Any thoughts or other recommendations appreciated

Lance

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