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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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Small Inverters ?
I want to buy a small inverter to use for charging radios, 18V tools, laptop etc. I was thinking of the cigarette lighter variety. We would run it off
our 2 camper batteries or run the deisel truck for a while ?? Never had one before.
Any recommendations or words of wisdom ?
Can I use the same inverter to run a small TV or blender ?
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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
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The only experience I have had with the cigarette lighter variety was not good. It would not blow up an air mattress, the kind that has an airpump
included.
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Royosbaja
Newbie
Posts: 24
Registered: 12-20-2005
Location: Santa Maria CA, PC Baja Sur
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We have a 400w inverter that is the kind you are refering to. It can be pluged into the lighter socket or hooked directly to a battery. Have used it
for the laptop without any problems, (from a set of two batteries, as well as the truck).
Only issue was when using from batteries or when the truck was not running. The inverter has an automatic shutdown that will prevent it from draining
the "source." This prevents it from sucking all the juice out of your battery, probably a good thing.
I have never tried to use it to "recharge" portable tooling.
As far as a blender or other appliance, you would need to check the wattage of the appliance and ensure the inverter is large enough to operate it.
Good luck.
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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Any particular brands ? Where to buy ?
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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2 400 watt units for $25 is a pretty good deal. I've paid about $20+ for one in the past - never had a problem running laptop or christmas lights
(decorated desert buggy)
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8807
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Blender....TV...400w too small
I had a 400w and it was too small for the boat blender.
I got a 700w for $49 and have been happy since then
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turtleandtoad
Senior Nomad
Posts: 730
Registered: 1-20-2005
Location: Wherever I park. See sig for current location.
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Mood: Good if fishing
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Xantrex; Prosine; Vector; There are dozens of manufacturers.
Most cigarette lighters won't give you enough power to do much no matter what size inverter you have. The wires to the lighter are too small to handle
the load for extended periods of time. They were designed for short-time use. If you use one, make sure to check out the wires (both the pos and the
neg) to make sure they aren't heating up. I've seen a lot of wire loom fires caused by this.
You're better off if you get one with alligator clips and connect directly to the battery.
Another thing to check is if you need a sine-wave output or will a modified sine-wave (square-wave) work. Some equipment won't work on the square
wave. My DVD player just cycles from off to on when plugged into a square wave, same for my electric blanket until I switched to some blanket controls
I had from an older blanket (I kept them when the blanket quit, don't know why). For more info on waveforms and typical appliance loads, check out
"www.xantrex.com"
Check out "www.invertersRus.com" or "DonRowe.com" for a selection of various manufacturers. I use Xantrex, myself but it's a little bigger (2500W)
Mike & Robin; Full-Time RV\'ers
37\' Georgetown w/3 slides & 275 Watts of Solar Power
06 Taco TRD
www.turtleandtoad.com
I am here
To paraphrase Frank Lloyd Wright; I\'m all in favor of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let\'s start with keyboards. --
Mike Dean |
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
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Small Inverters
I've used (and am still using) numerous "Statpower" Inverters (now owned by Xantrex) and they are GREAT. Low no-load current draw. My oldest
functioning Statpower 150W is Twenty years Plus. I have a newer Statpower Prowatt 150 powering my Direcway, Dishnet receiver and 10" Color TV in my
office space.
I use the older ones now for charging numerous cordless tools, radios, etc.
When you look at Small Inverters, look for units that DON'T use a small cooling fan, but simply use passive cooling ribs. The fan will use more
current than the no-load draw of the inverter. Compare No-Load specs when shopping. They vary from model to model. The "Coleman" and others like it
have a relatively high no-load draw.
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soulpatch
Nomad
Posts: 399
Registered: 7-30-2005
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Who makes your 18v batteries?
I found out from the manufacturer of mine(Milwaukee) that unless it is sinewave they eat batteries. I found this out from experience, too,
unfortunately.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8807
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Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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What would sinewave have to do with the batteries?
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jerry
Super Nomad
Posts: 1354
Registered: 10-10-2003
Location: loreto
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wire size is the key to inverters when you get to 2500 w your battery wires should be as big around at your thumb
have a good one jerry
jerry and judi
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soulpatch
Nomad
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Re: Sinewave
I have no idea. I just know that I ate two batteries and then checked w/the manufacturer and they said no on the modified sinewave.....them things
ain't cheap.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8807
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Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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jerry your right...expensive!!!
I'll have to research modified sine wave but i think they bs'ed you.
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soulpatch
Nomad
Posts: 399
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Think what you want. I learned my lesson after the fact. I'm sure it's just me.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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I too have rechargable batteries that didn't like mod. sinewave. A neighbor had the same problem and contacted the mfgr. who sent them a different
charger then no more problems. It's not the battery it's the charger that's particular, at least in our cases. But lots of rechargables like it fine
- I have 3 battery powered drills that charge just fine - and they're the cheaper ones. Also my recharger for AA-C-D cells works just fine as does my
3 laptop computers and 2 printers. Other than the one brand of rechargable battery (for one of those Jump Start deals), a digital answering machine
and a VCR, I have found nothing that has problems with the modified sinewave. Been living off the grid with solar panels, 6V batteries and inverters
for over 10 years now.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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turtleandtoad
Senior Nomad
Posts: 730
Registered: 1-20-2005
Location: Wherever I park. See sig for current location.
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Mood: Good if fishing
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The waveform affects the purity of the DC output. Some (most?) chargers cannot filter the modified sinewave enough and the DC out has dips and spikes
that destroys batteries (this is a very rough explanation, a technically correct would be over most peoples head). That's another good reason to not
skimp if you're going to go that route.
That's another good reason to try for a DC input charger if all you're going to do is charge batteries. And as Braulio has pointed out, using an
inverter is very inefficient for battery charging, you are converting DC to AC in the inverter and then converting the AC to DC in the charger. You
lose efficiency in each step.
Jerry, actually my cables are about 1-1/2 times the size of my thumb, with a 300 amp fuse protecting them. 
For battery charging only, I'd go for a solar panel and charge controller. They come in all sizes, including portable set-ups.
As shown in my sig, I use solar to charge my battery bank that supplies my 2500W inverter.
Mike & Robin; Full-Time RV\'ers
37\' Georgetown w/3 slides & 275 Watts of Solar Power
06 Taco TRD
www.turtleandtoad.com
I am here
To paraphrase Frank Lloyd Wright; I\'m all in favor of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let\'s start with keyboards. --
Mike Dean |
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8807
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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Soulpatch...i guess you're right..
http://www.bitterrootsolar.com/help/basic-solar.htm
Get rid of the 
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jerry
Super Nomad
Posts: 1354
Registered: 10-10-2003
Location: loreto
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hea tourtle and toad how far you running those wires the distence make a lot of difference too, thers a formula and i allway upsize everything. works
better if its not overloaded boy the big inverters sure have gonnen cheap 20 yrs ago a 2500w heart cost $2500 have a good one jerry
jerry and judi
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turtleandtoad
Senior Nomad
Posts: 730
Registered: 1-20-2005
Location: Wherever I park. See sig for current location.
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Yeah Jerry,
I'm running the cables from the Battery bank to the inverter about 10 ft.
I know the formulas, I'm a retired electrical/electronics system designer. That's why they are so big.
The inverter battery bank is two 6 volt L16H 420 AH Trojan batteries. I run everything AC in my coach off the inverter when I'm boondocking, including
the TV and Microwave. I also have another battery bank for the DC systems and a third for the engine/chassis.
Oh, yes they are expensive but they've come down somewhat. I paid about $1600 for mine
[Edited on 12-29-2005 by turtleandtoad]
Mike & Robin; Full-Time RV\'ers
37\' Georgetown w/3 slides & 275 Watts of Solar Power
06 Taco TRD
www.turtleandtoad.com
I am here
To paraphrase Frank Lloyd Wright; I\'m all in favor of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let\'s start with keyboards. --
Mike Dean |
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jerry
Super Nomad
Posts: 1354
Registered: 10-10-2003
Location: loreto
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does the microwave color tv hair dryer and curling iron pop a few breakers
just kidding i know you need to ration them out so its not too mutch at any one time
i been hearing costco has some 2000W inverters for less then $100?? you know anything about that??
have a good one jerry
jerry and judi
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