12.v Power Inverter

[Weerider]

I want a 12V Power Inverter, I have looked and looked and there are too many choices. After much reading I don't think I need a pure sine wave... I think a modified sine wave will do. If I camp without shore power, all I will want to run is a LCD TV, a DVD player and a couple of 13W compact fluorescent lights. I have 12V lights and gas to cook and make coffee. What I really need is feedback as to what you have and if you are satisfied with it. Any advice will also be gladly accepted.

Thanks,

Howard

[Alphacarina]

A small 400 Watt unit should be adequate for what you describe - $35 or so

Don

[halfdome, Danny]

A small 400 Watt unit should be adequate for what you describe - $35 or so

Don

We have one that size and it runs the LCD/DVD TV quite well. Danny

[nawlinsteardrop]

You know there are a lot of reasons to go with true sine wave and only one reason to go with modified sine wave.

Since modified only has one reason, lets just say it. PRICE!!

Modified sine inverters are cheap.

Sine waves are more expensive.

For your money on true sine wave you get Usually better picture quality, better reliability, and also safer for more sensitive loads.
Sine Wave inverters will run almost every device whereas modified sine has a list of devices that are incompatible.

If you want a good inverter look at a 300 watt sine wave inverter. Should meet most of your needs and offer much better power.

Only about $110.00 over the price of a modified sine.

http://www.outsidesupply.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=78&HS=1

Hope this helps. Either way just make sure that you are using your power safely. Goog luck and enjoy teardropping.

[Sonetpro]

You need to compare the noise factor. I have a 300 watt Xantrex in the tear and all it runs is the TV. 13" tube and DVD. It is completly silent.
I have a 400 watt Victor in my company truck (i.e. mobile office) and I had to mount the thing in the back tool box cause the fan makes so much noise.

[Gerdo]

[quote="nawlinsteardrop"]:o
http://www.outsidesupply.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=78&HS=1
quote]

I've been looking for a small true sine wave inverter, thanks. Do you have one of these? I don't know the brand. Are the a quality item?

[campadk]

I've used a 400W inverter for 2 different TV/DVD combos. It was VERY fussy with either setup... and sometimes would trip out. Had 2 inverters... same issue. I'd go for something with a bit more power... 600W plus.

My experience...

Cheers!

[MrBuzz]

While we are talking about inverters....
I don't run much 110v stuff. But on a long weekend I do have need to charge my laptop, cellphone, MP3 player. What type of inverter would work well for that? I did see a 400W Black & Decker unit at one of the discount stores, WalMart I think, that had a couple 110v outlets and a USB connection on it.
Has anyone used that one?
One review said that this model had a quiet, thermostatically controlled fan so that would be nice.

[brian_bp]

I don't run much 110v stuff. But on a long weekend I do have need to charge my laptop, cellphone, MP3 player. What type of inverter would work well for that?

An alternative to taking your 12V DC power and making it into 120V AC with an inverter, then back into various voltages of DC with the collection of power adapters, is to use one universal adapter. There are travel power supplies with interchangeable output tips which take in 12VDC and put out what each device needs (although typically only one at a time). For example, Targus Mobile 70 Universal Auto/Air Adapter.

[eamarquardt]

With all of the 12 volt stuff avialable out there why go through the hassle of inverters. None of them are 100% efficient and just one more thing that can go wrong. To run a high load you need a high power inverter, a lot of battery storage (depending on how many amp hours you want) and a high power way to charge the batteries. Keep the load light with led and efficient fluorescent lights. Perhaps use a laptop with a 12 volt adapter for a dvd player and add a usb tuner if you want over the air reception.

Unless you really need AC power for air conditioning (not practical off an inverter), a cpap (assisted breathing device), or some need that can't met with AC power go 12 volt. Wire the trailer for AC and if it is available where you're camping take advantage of it.

Had a sailboat for 10 years and spent a lot of time in the Channel Islands off of So.Cal. and never missed AC. Now I did miss refrigeration and I will have a real refrigerator (3 way) in my tear.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Gus

[nawlinsteardrop]

Just my opinion and not the opinion of the network...LOL




DC power is great for certain applications.

However AC power is better for others.

For example a lot of the 12 volt items are often lower in quality than comparable 120 volt items.

Now there are some nice 12 volt items but they are usually priced 5 to 10 times as much as a 120 volt item with same quality.

This is because 120 volt AC items are made for the masses. DC items are specialty. So they are not as competitive and innovative. There are always exceptions to this but I have found a lot of products follow this.

Also with the new DTV, I have found a good true sine wave inverter and a converter keep many people from buying new TVs.

FYI and inverter and a new TV is more efficient and will most likely be easier in the long run.

With an inverter you get the best of both worlds AC and DC power. Find what works for you. Just don't expect to run everything off of a small battery bank.

I always tell people running on a DC based system is like balancing a checkbook. you have to put as much power in as you take out. Else you will end up running out of power.. Real bummer. ...

I have a friend Richard who lives full time on a sailboat in the Keys. He has lived on his boat for 7 or 8 years tied to a mooring ball. So he is the real deal for off grid DC based system. He has a couple hundred watts of solar and decent battery bank. He got an inverter for his boat, http://www.outsidesupply.com/index.asp? ... D=153&HS=1 , as discussed, just so he can try and chat with people on the net. His TV is now clearer and he has a couple other AC items he moved in. He found some of these AC based low wattage devices better choices for his style. His efficiency is down but his quality of life with electronics is better.

In the end you have to balance what resources you have and what minimum qualities you expect. Think of the 12 Volt Man song by Jimmy Buffet, All he needed was a Die Hard... LOL

Think he had an inverter for the Blender... You know these 1500 watt blenders are reason alone to have a nice inverter in your teardrop...

http://www.willitblend.com/

God I love these videos. I want one of these for Margaritas in the Galley!
Wifey loves smoothies too! Anybody have one?

[canadian_gypsy]

i'm also in the market for a bigger one.....mine 200w eliminiter doesn't like to charge my laptop turned off to often with out beepin and makin all kinds of noise...got forbid i roll up my window while its pluged it

[nawlinsteardrop]

Yeah some brands of inverter aren't all they are marketed for. You will find huge deviations in operation, circuit design and specifications. On the bench many have not come close to their specs.

Know the brand you are buying: I recommend Go Power, Xantrex and Exeltech. Now, I sell all 3 brands, but I get tons of calls to carry other brands, but I want the top of the line. I don't like returns and customers who aren't happy because of product quality. I know these three are great.

[eamarquardt]

I guess I can get by without 120 volts (but will install the wiring during the build for resale for after I'd dead or too feeble). In ten years of cruising the
Channel islands in our boat I never wanted for A/C. I will, however, carry a Honda 1000 (garage sale $100) and n 5000 btu a/c (COSTCO) if I go someplace hot and humid (but I HATE hot and humid so probably won't carry the gen and a/c often).

But, it's your unit, do it your way.

Cheers,

Gus

[madjack]

Gus, I know you are an EE but have you checked the numbers or experimented to see if that 1000W Honda, will run/start up that 5000btu window shaker...others have had problems with similar setups...by the way, I have a 500W inverter from Vector(35bucks from Sam's club)...it ran a 13" tube type TV and a fan for 4 days during Rita outages, off of 2 group 27 troll motor batteries and was still going strong when the power came back on...don't know who noisy the fan is since it was running a box fan the whole time...........
madjack