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Cen-tech @Harbor Freight

Posted:
Mon May 08, 2017 8:54 pm
by Padilen
Anybody use these? Opinions please if you do.
Thanks

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Re: Cen-tech @Harbor Freight

Posted:
Mon May 08, 2017 10:22 pm
by GuitarPhotog
What do you have in mind to power with it? And how much battery capacity do you have to power it with?
Two important questions when considering inverters. You can't choose intelligently with the answers.
<Chas>

Re: Cen-tech @Harbor Freight

Posted:
Mon May 08, 2017 10:31 pm
by boltman
use them all the time ...but you better have that engine running ...i found easier to use 1800 watt honda generator

Re: Cen-tech @Harbor Freight

Posted:
Tue May 09, 2017 7:08 am
by Padilen
I'm not buying, not now anyway. Just interested in what owners have to say about it.
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Re: Cen-tech @Harbor Freight

Posted:
Tue May 09, 2017 8:18 am
by daveesl77
We have the slightly smaller one and have used it for years now, in 2 different campers and a tent setup. It is now permanently mounted in Conch Fritter and its primary purpose is to run our dorm fridge when either traveling or if no electric hookup and using solar. It works great! The fridge is a cheap, 3.3 ft3 Haier that I got for my daughter while in college years ago. It powers now from a Rural King (Exide) farm duty battery. On the trip we just returned from yesterday, it allowed the fridge to maintain a temp range of 29-33 degrees, for over 10 hours each way, in outside temps reaching up to the lower 90s.
We have tested it running a very old Haier 5k btu window shaker with starter capacitor and it ran it fine during a 4 hour test, but that was only a test. I like it.
dave
Re: Cen-tech @Harbor Freight

Posted:
Tue May 09, 2017 11:41 am
by Padilen
Thank you
Sounds good then.
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Re: Cen-tech @Harbor Freight

Posted:
Tue May 09, 2017 2:36 pm
by ae6black
I used to use these all the time to run my children's nebulizer equipment. No complaints.
Art
Re: Cen-tech @Harbor Freight

Posted:
Tue May 09, 2017 4:27 pm
by Padilen
Thank you also!
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Re: Cen-tech @Harbor Freight

Posted:
Wed May 10, 2017 6:21 am
by flboy
I had a 1500w Centec in my old CTC. It worked fine, but the annoying thing was that the cooling fan always runs whether needed or not. So if it is on, the fan is on using power also. The fan was also noisy. The fan should only come on when heavily loaded for cooling.
The power from those is a modified sine wave and motors (AC and fridge) seemed to "whine" alot versus normal power. That is due to less average power in a modified sinewave. That causes motors to strain more.. so it is understandable that can reduce the lifespan.
I am not a big fan of modified sine wave inverters (now) after learning more about the differences, and if you read some of the fridge warranties and etc., they will say to not use them.
They are less expensive, but I am not sure they are worth the risk to sensitive electronics and electric motors.
All said.. I used one for two years the times I was boondocking and it worked for its intended function albeit maybe a little more stressful on the AC and Fridge.
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Re: Cen-tech @Harbor Freight

Posted:
Sat May 13, 2017 6:58 am
by Padilen
Thanks Don,
I wish you were closer I understand nuts and bolts. How things fit together. But electric is not something I do. I can wire AC/DC but I do not figure out loads and such. 15 amp 14 gauge- 20 amp 12 gauge. That's about it

.
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