Inverters

[PradoGXL08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PradoGXL08]

Hi All,

Since I am unable to Search for this topic, I do apologize if one already exists.

I am looking at installing a Pure Sine Wave Inverter 300W/600W Peak (on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....=STRK:MEWAX:IT for the following items:

• Charge Up Hand Held UHF Radio
• Charge Up Video Camera/ Still Camera Batteries
• Charge Up 18V Cordless Blower
• Power my Laptop

What I want to know is, what do other Members use theirs for, and what Wattage do they have.
Am I better running my Engel from the Inverter or from 12v??

Any advise would be appreciated.

Stuart

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

I have a Projecta 300w inverter and use it for.

charging AA and AAA batteries
charging cordless drill
Powering Laptop and wireless modem
Running electric blanket in Camper Trailer
Charging phones, ipods, nintendo DS etc etc.

I wouldn't think that running the Engel off the inverter would make sense, you loose some power in the transfer from 12 - 240 volt. My understanding is that Fridge motors are 12-24 volts and if you run it on 240 volt it breaks the power back down the required voltage (again loosing some power in the transfer). Stick with the 12v for the fridge.

Cheers Andrew

[lockedup Member Find all posts View Profile Close lockedup]

I am looking at one but dont know if i will get the use out of it. I assume the 12v would be better for the fridge because of the easy dedicated 12v socket in the back of prado...

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

I am looking at one but dont know if i will get the use out of it. I assume the 12v would be better for the fridge because of the easy dedicated 12v socket in the back of prado...

The 12v plug in the rear of the Prado is not suitable for running a fridge, you still need to run dedicated wires to an auxillery socket for your fridge.

Cheers Andrew

[kav Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close kav]

hi stuart . i bought the same one off ebay last week . havent really used it yet . ive been looking around for weeks at these things and pricing them . some mobs want $300 for the same thing .i was a bit concerned when i read the instruction booklet which i will quote for you. "CAUTION do not use the inverter with the following equipment: small battery operated products such as rechargeable flashlights , some rechargeable shavers , and nightlights that are plugged directly into an AC receptacle to recharge. : certain battery chargers for battery packs used in hand held power tools . these chargers will have warning labels stating that dangerous voltages are present at the charger's battery terminals " it does go on to say later that some rechargeable units can damage the inverter and when a unit is used for the first time you should observe its temperature for 10 minutes , if it gets hot you can't use it . ahh well for 65 clams ill give it a run . oh yeah , good name , and the right spelling , you must be an intelligent fellow . stuart

[lockedup Member Find all posts View Profile Close lockedup]

The 12v plug in the rear of the Prado is not suitable for running a fridge, you still need to run dedicated wires to an auxillery socket for your fridge.

Cheers Andrew

Oh ok, my second 12v socket has a separate cable and 30 amp fuse run to it (must have been from the previous owner)... lucky me i guess

[samo Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close samo]

ive had an ebay 300w inverter in for 4 years now and its still going strong, cost me 40 delivered, its charges all my battery gear when im on the road, ie camera batteries, laptop, torches, soldering irons or what ever its cheap and reliable, ive have run 6.5mm twincore with a 30amp auto reset circuit breaker for safety. cheers samo

[PradoGXL08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PradoGXL08]

Hi All,

Thanks for your replies.

I will get the 300W unit and run some heavy gauge cable, similar to you Samo.

Stuart

[Trekrider Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Trekrider]

Hi Stuart,

I ordered one of those from the same company just over a week ago - still waiting. I plan to run my Netbook with OziExplorer from it. I will run dedicated wires from my second battery. Not sure where I'm going to put it yet, maybe under the passenger seat so the power cord can reach the netbook easily.

[Trekrider Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Trekrider]

Just to update, the inverter arrived this morning - just checked it using the cigar lighter cord in my second battery socket. Powered my netbook and GPS with no problems. It does say the cigar lighter lead should only be used for up to 150W but that was plenty to just run a netbook.

Just got to work out where to put it and wire it in permanently.

[lockedup Member Find all posts View Profile Close lockedup]

Sounds good, show us a pic when u get it installed!

How about under second row seat on side? I have my diff lock compressor on one side and I'll be putting invertor on other...

[Trekrider Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Trekrider]

Sounds good, show us a pic when u get it installed!

How about under second row seat on side? I have my diff lock compressor on one side and I'll be putting invertor on other...

Interesting suggestion - I didn't realise there is room under there.

Just been out to look, do you mean on the steps? If so I have my fire extinguisher one side and my Maglite on the other.

[Nifty07 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nifty07]

I have been using inverters for at least 20 years. In the early days I built my own. I dont know why you would wand a pure sine wave inverter for any switchmode powersupply such as chargers, TVs, video cameras, phones. They use more power and the stand by current is much greater.

I always purchase a shaped inverter.

The size depends on what you want to run but remember the 'in rush current'. That is the current when you first plug it in or turn it on. An example is with my laptopcomputer. It has a 75w powersupply but it would not start with my 300w inverter. I had to use a 500w inverter.

Check the specifications of the device and look for the 'in rush' or start current. If it is not stated just multiply the wattage by nine and you should be safe.

There are two important specifications on inverters, the stand by current and the efficiency. I just purchased a 1000w inverter (12v) as I want to run a projector and it has a standby current of less than 1 amp and an efficiency of 95%. I also found that when it was switched on but nothing pluged in it only pulled 0.1 amps which is great for running off batteries.

You want to smalest amount of standby current (or no load current) and the highest effiiency.

Nifty...

[samo Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close samo]

i mounted mine in cargo area on the drivers side. cheers samo

[vk2ss55 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close vk2ss55]

I don't really understand why there should be a problem running a modified square wave inverter to power small devices like chargers etc . Most of these devices use a switch mode power supply so having a modified square wave input shouldn't be an issue . Sure check if the device gets hot running off the inverter .
TV's and audio devices will give a buzz in the speaker and maybe lines on the screen running off a modified square wave inverter so a sine wave inverter is required here .

Cheers

Ross