How many actually use 120VAC when off-grid?

[dreadlocks]

my inverter is largely so I can push a button and get coffee before crack of dawn w/out firing up generator.. letting kiddos sleep in while I watch sunrise in peace and quiet w/my caffeine.. I'm basically worthless without it, dunno if its safe for me to operate a gas stove or fire before I get my kick.

Kids also got alot of electric toys and I'm thinking mebe e mountain bikes here soon so they are nice knowing I can charge that w/out some convoluted contraptions.. wife wants a crockpot and ice maker, eh.. whatever.

 

[2Jeeps&PatriotX1]

Wife just asked me about using a Keurig k-mini plus which appears to be peak 1425 watts, so probably should pick up a 2k inverter. Anything else needing power would be macbooks (85 watts), drill battery or drone batteries. All minimal compared to the coffee maker. Id probably rather just get the inverter for her coffee maker than have her operating the stove lol.


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[67cj5]

Wife just asked me about using a Keurig k-mini plus which appears to be peak 1425 watts, so probably should pick up a 2k inverter. Anything else needing power would be macbooks (85 watts), drill battery or drone batteries. All minimal compared to the coffee maker. Id probably rather just get the inverter for her coffee maker than have her operating the stove lol.


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85 watts for a MacBook, that's more than 4 times what my laptop uses, my portable TV only uses 31watts,

 

[luthj]

We use 120V for cooking primarily. Usually 2 meals a day on the induction cooktop. We also use our rice cooker (120V unit) a fair bit. A waffle maker also has many uses (falafel). We do not use 120V for any long term items. All laptops, cameras, etc have DC chargers. Most meals use about 200-600 watt-hours.

 

[otis24]

I have to plug in my CPAP machine. I'm okay with out it for a night but after 2-3 nights I'll be really really tired.

I'm going to buy a compact travel machine that runs on it's own batteries at some point. They're about $1200 last time I checked. I can buy a lot of truck parts for $1200.

 

[2Jeeps&PatriotX1]

85 watts for a MacBook, that's more than 4 times what my laptop uses, my portable TV only uses 31watts,

My 13” MBP doesn’t use that much but the 15” does.


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[hour]

My 13” MBP doesn’t use that much but the 15” does.


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Jeez I never saw my top of the line 2017 touch bar 15" blabla MBP use anywhere near that, running two displays, running iOS simulator and Android emulator, compiling at the same time from Xcode and Android studio, with a zillion chrome tabs, photoshop open, youtube videos playing in HD.. Hell, I used to do all of that stuff on a 45W Aukey brick. Got warm, but even if I went in to work with 10% i'd always leave fully charged at the end of the day-no breaks.

 

[Ex Animo]

I totally understand that everyones needs are different but I've never understood the want for a microwave on overland rig. I've lived without one in my home for the past 10+ years and in all that time I've never thought gee I wish I could nuke this! I will however need need enough wattage for a nutribullet/blender for smoothies on longer trips once I get the camper build going!

 

[2Jeeps&PatriotX1]

Jeez I never saw my top of the line 2017 touch bar 15" blabla MBP use anywhere near that, running two displays, running iOS simulator and Android emulator, compiling at the same time from Xcode and Android studio, with a zillion chrome tabs, photoshop open, youtube videos playing in HD.. Hell, I used to do all of that stuff on a 45W Aukey brick. Got warm, but even if I went in to work with 10% i'd always leave fully charged at the end of the day-no breaks.

Don’t know if it actually uses that much power but the 2018 MBP 15” touchbar comes with a 85w charger.


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[Buddha.]

We use 120V for cooking primarily. Usually 2 meals a day on the induction cooktop. We also use our rice cooker (120V unit) a fair bit. A waffle maker also has many uses (falafel). We do not use 120V for any long term items. All laptops, cameras, etc have DC chargers. Most meals use about 200-600 watt-hours.

What are you running for a battery bank?

 

[luthj]

What are you running for a battery bank?

500 AH lead. Though a 300AH would work fine in hindsight.

 

[baughb]

I have to plug in my CPAP machine. I'm okay with out it for a night but after 2-3 nights I'll be really really tired.

I'm going to buy a compact travel machine that runs on it's own batteries at some point. They're about $1200 last time I checked. I can buy a lot of truck parts for $1200.

Hey regarding the CPAP... a lot of the companies make a DC cable that I could plug into a 12v system via a cigarette style male plug. Wasn't much cash at all. After all, they run on 12v and the wall warts knock em down for home 110v use. I lost the weight so I'm not diagnosed any longer but on a chilly night, It's nice to have a snorkel while I bury myself in my sleeping bag.

Bob

 

[john61ct]

If a device runs on 12V natively, no need to use a proprietary cable.

And ciggie connectors are a horrible design for something long term

 

[otis24]

Hey regarding the CPAP... a lot of the companies make a DC cable that I could plug into a 12v system via a cigarette style male plug. Wasn't much cash at all. After all, they run on 12v and the wall warts knock em down for home 110v use. I lost the weight so I'm not diagnosed any longer but on a chilly night, It's nice to have a snorkel while I bury myself in my sleeping bag.

Bob

Oh nice, I'm going to look into this for my machine.

The crazy thing is I'm 44 (diagnosed with sleep apnea at 42), I'm 5'10" 160 pounds, so not overweight by any stretch and I'm usually in pretty good shape. When I saw my sleep specialist he said it's very unlikely that I have sleep apnea because I'm a healthy weight, younger and fit etc. Oh well. I'm just happy to not be dead tired all the time.

If a device runs on 12V natively, no need to use a proprietary cable.

And ciggie connectors are a horrible design for something long term

Indeed. I bet the plug into the back of the machine is some kind of standard plug I could connect to the 12 volt system with an anderson plug. I'll have to do more research before jumping into the DIY route. My machine retails for about $700, I'd hate to damage it.

 

[Bayou Boy]

Oh nice, I'm going to look into this for my machine.

The crazy thing is I'm 44 (diagnosed with sleep apnea at 42), I'm 5'10" 160 pounds, so not overweight by any stretch and I'm usually in pretty good shape. When I saw my sleep specialist he said it's very unlikely that I have sleep apnea because I'm a healthy weight, younger and fit etc. Oh well. I'm just happy to not be dead tired all the time.



Indeed. I bet the plug into the back of the machine is some kind of standard plug I could connect to the 12 volt system with an anderson plug. I'll have to do more research before jumping into the DIY route. My machine retails for about $700, I'd hate to damage it.

There should be text either on a label on the box that plugs into the wall or molded into the same. It will give the input and output voltage and amperage.