I got an "inverter" at a garage sale today-----------300 watt, and very small---------what would an inverter this size run??
radio?, shaver? what?
I don't have a clue about this thing----any advice would be appreciated.Diver - 6-5-2008 at 10:10 PM
(3) 75 watt bulbs, (1) am/fm or vhf radio, slow battery charging....
I have a 400 watt that won't run my beard trimmer at full rpms.
It's also not big enough to charge my laptop while it's running.Barry A. - 6-5-2008 at 10:22 PM
Thanks, Diver. That gives me some idea----------it is no power house, obviously. Since it costs me a dollar, I guess it is worth something, tho.
BarryDiver - 6-5-2008 at 10:37 PM
Does work fine to charge (1) vhf radio, (1) cell phone etc, if you don't have the right ciggy adapter.
Can't go wrong for a dollar !!BajaWarrior - 6-6-2008 at 05:32 AM
Actually Diver, the vhf is going to be 12v. No need for the inverter.
Those small inverters are about $20-$30.
I use one at my Beach House to power a dusk to dawn security light while I'm away so I don't have to leave my big inverter on. Bought it at Costco for
$25.Bob and Susan - 6-6-2008 at 06:36 AM
i have one
it powers a laptop easily...100 watts
you should wire it directly to the battery with bigger wiree and put a fuse inlineLee - 6-6-2008 at 07:35 AM
I have a 300w and it will charge my cell phone -- but not my Mac Pro laptop. Haven't tried charging anything else.
inverter
bonanza bucko - 6-6-2008 at 07:55 AM
If you divide WATTS by VOLTS you get AMPS. If you look on the data plate for an appliance it will tell you how many AMPS it consumes. Most
appliances use good ole 120 VOLT power that we get from the power company in the USA.
Your inverter has 300 WATTS so it has 2.5 AMPS at 120 VOLTS. (Since W/V=A, A X V=W etc.)
A typical color TV will burn about 2 AMPS. A small fridge a little more...maybe 5 AMPS.. etc.
If the appliance you're trying to run has a motor you have to allow for the "starting current"....the motor will require about 2-3 times its running
current (AMPS is current) to start up.
Batteries produce DC current. The inverter converts the DC current to AC so you can use it with most appliances we have in the USA and Mexico.
You can, however, get some appliances that run on DC. The little black box that is attached to power cord on some computers and other stuff like that
is converting AC back to DC! But don't try to run your computer directly from a DC source until you know exactly what power it needs.
We have a solar powered house with panels, batteries and an inverter that produces all the power we need to run fridges, freezers, TVs, lights....even
my wife's hair dryer if she doesn't use it all day. This technology is REALLY neat and it won't be long before it starts to put some power companies
in the USA outa business.....if the danged gummint keeps its face out of the thing that is.DENNIS - 6-6-2008 at 08:02 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by bonanza bucko
.....if the danged gummint keeps its face out of the thing that is.
The Dems are talking about a Sunlight tax, I'm sure. Twilight and Dark taxes are next.Barry A. - 6-6-2008 at 10:10 AM
Thank you all----------this is great info to know---------really appreciate the help.
BarryBob and Susan - 6-6-2008 at 10:37 AM
" it will charge my cell phone -- but not my Mac Pro laptop"
you should have gotten the V8
i mean a regular computer with "vista"BAJACAT - 6-6-2008 at 10:05 PM
I bought one for $60, fairly new,it's a HUSKY W/750 watts.so what i can run with these baby?Bob and Susan - 6-7-2008 at 07:05 AM
i have a small 560 watt coffee pot...
i used to open the hood of the truck and
hook my 700 watt inverter to the batteries and
make a pot of coffee...
but...
watch out most coffee pots are 1200 watts LancairDriver - 6-7-2008 at 09:43 PM
From an Invertor Sales catalog
225W powers small electronics+camcorder
400W powers small electronics+desk fan
750W powers small electronics+buffer
1000W powers small electronics+electric heater
1500W powers household appliances
2500W powers appliances+water pump
3000W powers appliances+washer/dryer
The "surge" or initial instantaneous draw is about double on all invertors and is allowed for.
Open for interpretation- what kind/type of
small electronics and appliances?capt. mike - 6-8-2008 at 06:49 AM
Bucko have you seen the new 24 and 48 volt solar campatible AC compressors? Israeli tech.
saw them on $1M plus homes being built in Cabo last october.
we are looking at them for SE AZ developments where 4800' elevation allows milder desert climes.
i think they'd be killer for beach homes off the grid.
my 1000 W trailer invertor would not do my coffee pot for instance. i can't see it doing any kind of resistance type heater. i had to kick in my honda
2000w. for anything serious like micro wave etc.Diver - 6-9-2008 at 01:29 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by soulpatch
Costco on Morena blvd has the Xantrex 1kw inverter for $40. Pretty good deal.
VERY good deal !!wiltonh - 6-9-2008 at 02:05 PM
I run a small microwave off my 1KW Costco inverter all the time. Here is a link to how I installed it in a small motor home. I used a relay to
isolate the output of the inverter from shore power. I did not want to take the chance that it would get burned up.
