Power Inverters
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Power Inverters
Ok...I know I will probably be put into my place (Electrical Thread)...;-), but I am not really sure it applies here. I am looking into a Power Inverter. I am looking for something small, but efficient. I will never be using it for more than 50 - 80 watts. Anyone got suggestions or experience in purchasing/using?...Any feedback will be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Deb
Thanks
Deb
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
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From: Washington State
Power Inverters
Deb,
I got a great one from BJ's Wholesale club for $40. It is, I believe, 350W. I run a 13" TV/VCR combo with it on long trips with the kids. One of the best investments ever made. No more
(kids)
I got a great one from BJ's Wholesale club for $40. It is, I believe, 350W. I run a 13" TV/VCR combo with it on long trips with the kids. One of the best investments ever made. No more
(kids)
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Power Inverters
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 14-Jan-02 AT 04:46 PM (EST)]Hey Greywolf...My thought too...I haven't seen anything that inexpensive for that amount of wattage.
Like to add also, what kind of drainage on the battery, when not in motion??
BTW: Thanks Barry for the Radio Shack info, all else fails will look into theirs.
Thanks
Deb
Like to add also, what kind of drainage on the battery, when not in motion??
BTW: Thanks Barry for the Radio Shack info, all else fails will look into theirs.
Thanks
Deb
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 29,941
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From: Drummonds, TN USA
Power Inverters
Seems to me the ones I've seen are all up around a hundred bucks , US.
I was also told that when they are running they get real hot! Keep that in mind when you look for a place to mount it...
Also remember that watts are completely different from AMPs, a watt is a measure of power, an amp is a measure of current.
The simplest formula for it is:
amps times volts equals watts.
So if you have a twelve volt sytem, and something is drawing ten amps - you have 120 watts altogether.
A 350 watt converter can pull up to about 30 amps, but that's if there is a full load on it.
I was also told that when they are running they get real hot! Keep that in mind when you look for a place to mount it...
Also remember that watts are completely different from AMPs, a watt is a measure of power, an amp is a measure of current.
The simplest formula for it is:
amps times volts equals watts.
So if you have a twelve volt sytem, and something is drawing ten amps - you have 120 watts altogether.
A 350 watt converter can pull up to about 30 amps, but that's if there is a full load on it.
Postmaster
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Power Inverters
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 14-Jan-02 AT 06:42 PM (EST)]If all you want is to run a small TV/VCR, there are several small units, 9-13 in) on the market already set up with an internal converter. We've used one for the last 6 years, for movies, while traveling and as I remember, it was relatively inexpensive. I believe we found it at Sam's Club or Best Buy.
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Power Inverters
I was actually looking into a portable unit to run a gaming system in my Expy with the factory installed video/ent. unit. (Ironic enough, the gaming system actually runs on 12 Volts...it's not recommended to use a standard 12V supply because of the varied current, it's not consistent enough. Frustrating, but understood). I was also planning to use it in our boat on camping trips for small appliances (coffee maker, blender, etc.).
And of course I will keep in mind the amps, I wasn't sure how many amps the gaming system was drawing.
Thanks to all for the information, appreciate the input.
Thanks
Deb
And of course I will keep in mind the amps, I wasn't sure how many amps the gaming system was drawing.
Thanks to all for the information, appreciate the input.
Thanks
Deb
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Power Inverters
That coffee maker will probably draw the most UNLESS, you want to also use a Toaster,Electric frypan,Broiler Oven.
These guys draw plenty.
I got my inverotr at a Farm related Business like Peavy Mart.
Best quality <> Cheapest price !
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
These guys draw plenty.
I got my inverotr at a Farm related Business like Peavy Mart.
Best quality <> Cheapest price !
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
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Power Inverters
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 14-Jan-02 AT 08:18 PM (EST)]Trust me, I won't allow anything bigger than a blender or a coffee maker to go on camping trips...Any other appliance is considered what motorhomes are for...
Thanks for all the info...
Deb
Thanks for all the info...
Deb
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Power Inverters
I use it out in the fish house to
>run a 19" tv. It runs the tv for close to 10 hours.
What are the fishes Favourite Programs?
I know Saturday's are the best for Fish shows
(er fishing shows).
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
>run a 19" tv. It runs the tv for close to 10 hours.
What are the fishes Favourite Programs?
I know Saturday's are the best for Fish shows
(er fishing shows).
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
Senior User
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Power Inverters
Walmart was selling a 600W continuous item for either $59 or $69. Anytime you can get a good quality item for around $1/10W it seems like a good price. I think these were 'vector' units but it's been awhile since I saw them. Ebay has a good listing, but you might have trouble with service.
TonyG
TonyG
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Power Inverters
>Walmart was selling a 600W continuous item for either $59 or
>$69. Anytime you can get a good quality item for around
>$1/10W it seems like a good price. I think these were
>'vector' units but it's been awhile since I saw them. Ebay
>has a good listing, but you might have trouble with service.
>TonyG
Just stopped in at Wally World tonight. They are "Rally" brand, made in china for "Rally manufacturing company". The specs look ok, but I'm not that knowlegdable about what is best. 600 continuous watt and 1200 surge watt. $59.95.
TonyG
>$69. Anytime you can get a good quality item for around
>$1/10W it seems like a good price. I think these were
>'vector' units but it's been awhile since I saw them. Ebay
>has a good listing, but you might have trouble with service.
>TonyG
Just stopped in at Wally World tonight. They are "Rally" brand, made in china for "Rally manufacturing company". The specs look ok, but I'm not that knowlegdable about what is best. 600 continuous watt and 1200 surge watt. $59.95.
TonyG
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Joined: Dec 2001
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Power Inverters
Debby,
Tripplite makes nice compact power inverters. I got the single outlet one recently for the same reason PS2 which'll double as a dvd player. It was like $30 from J&R Music world http://www.jandr.com . They make other models for 2 and more outlets with a higher rated amperage, but you can definitely take a look to see what your needs and budget are.
Johnny Mo
2002 XLT Silver, 5.4L
Tripplite makes nice compact power inverters. I got the single outlet one recently for the same reason PS2 which'll double as a dvd player. It was like $30 from J&R Music world http://www.jandr.com . They make other models for 2 and more outlets with a higher rated amperage, but you can definitely take a look to see what your needs and budget are.
Johnny Mo
2002 XLT Silver, 5.4L