Inverter options

[Backwoods Rambler]

I notice that a lot of expedition rigs use 2000-4000 watt pure since wave inverters. That represents a lot of coin! I've seen anywhere from $400-$1000 for a unit like this. Perhaps it's necessary, perhaps not.

My question then is: What inverter do I really need. In order to answer that, you need some information from me, like: what do I plan to run.

But first let me ask you, if you slept in and spent time in your rig, what would, or do, you run?

I sleep inside my jeep, here are the things I can think of needing to run....

I know I want to run a laptop (to charge and to run off of if batt dies)
Some type lighting for nightime
Fan
A safe heater (I assume a propane catalytic cupholder style heater is not safe to run overnight)
3/8" corded drill
Small welder (am I dreaming here?)

Except for the Laptop and lighting, I would only be running one of these things at a time ever.

Besides these things, what do you run off of your inverter????

 

[Martyn]

Most electronics will work on modified sine wave, laptops, lights, fans are fine with it.

So unless you are running something sensitive, like a TV, a pure sine wave inverter is not essential.

I'd go with an 18 volt cordless drill rather than the corded drill.

For a welder you need to go with something like a Premier Power Welder, I don't know of any portable inverter that you can run a welder off.

 

[762X39]

You could go with a combination of a 400 watt pure sinewave inverter for sensitive electronics and some cordless tool battery chargers (they don't like modified sinewave ac and will fail) while other stuff doesn't mind modified sinewave and you can use a 1kw or larger inverter for those applications.
I know a lot of people use the modified sinewave inverters and swear by them (several of our service trucks including mine have a 1kw unit installed) but for my travel trailer I run true sinewave and don't worry about it. There is a whole new batch of true sinewave inverters out there for not that much more than a good modified sinewave unit.
As always, you really do get what you pay for.

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

For the drill, I'm thinking of converting my 12v cordless to run off of my jeep battery with a set of long cables. I think a 12v drill would be good enough for most off road needs.

After doing a bit more research, I don't think any of my needs require a pure sine wave.

So now I just need to decide what different devices I might need to run in order to determine my power needs.

So what devices do you run??

what about that heater?? most small ceramic space heaters use 800-1800watts. Obviously a thermostatically controlled one would be in order.

 

[Martyn]

Heaters, coffee makers, hair dryers, etc. are all bad ideas for inverters, they draw too much power. Think along the lines of low power draw, and more importantly items that have a low start up draw.

Remember after you do all of your calculations that good inverters run at about 94% efficiency.

If you want to run high draw items you are going to have to have a high output alternator. If you plan on running items without the alternator running a dual battery system may be in order.

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

All good points Martyn.... I don't currently have a dual batter setup (soon hopefully) but I think my stock alternator is 90amp....is 90amp high??

So, if down the road I want to run and engle or waeco, will I need a dual battery setup as well?

 

[JIMBO]

:archaeolo This 700 watt (1400 watt surge)VECTOR POWER INVERTER, takes care of all my requirements and it was $79 bucks a couple years ago

Lights, heaters,hair dryer,light chain saw

Of course, never all at the same time-works great

:REOutIceFishing: :safari-rig: :safari-rig: JIMBO

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

What kind of heater Jimbo?

 

[JIMBO]

:suning: Can't help to much there, I got this little Cigarete lighter outlet heater from KRAGENs years ago and it puts out a lotta heat, draws a lotta current, so we just used it to take the chill off before going to sleep (tent,Xterra,Jeep)

What kind of heater Jimbo?

I ran it thru my Power Werz DC power control sw., so the circuit shut off when the Battery dropped to 12.7 volts +20 minutes

Never could trust my Propane heater

Anyway, with my wife with me, inside our good Double sleeping bag, never got cold, no Problemo

:hehe: :Wow1: :safari-rig: :safari-rig: JIMBO

 

[Martyn]

All good points Martyn.... I don't currently have a dual batter setup (soon hopefully) but I think my stock alternator is 90amp....is 90amp high??

So, if down the road I want to run and engle or waeco, will I need a dual battery setup as well?

150 - 350 amps would be considered high output.

The best way to approach all of this is to do power assessment.
What are you going to use?
What is the amperage of each item?
How long are you going to use them?
Will you be using them with the alternator running?
What size is your stock battery?
How old is your stock battery?
etc.

If you need help getting started look at the bottom part of http://www.adventuretrailers.com/12volt_solar.html

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

Martyn,

Yeah, I know I need to figure out my own actual power needs. This more of an excercise to see what power accessories others run and what inverter or power methods they use to run them.

For the record, I have a group 34 I think (slightly larger than stock) Sears Die Hard Platinum (the one like the oddessy batteries) and since my alternator just died, I'm considering a 120amp replacement, plus I'm considering running 1 large or 2 smaller solar panels for when the vehicle is not running. In addition to that I'm considering a 2nd battery that would be isolated unless my primary dies, then I would use the 2nd for emergency starting (this way the second does not have to be large). I always run my vehicle at least once a day for 20+ minutes while at base camp for various reasons.

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

Heaters, coffee makers, hair dryers, etc.

What about a little heater like this to take the edge off?

Specs:

features:

Powered from Your Vehicle's Cigarette Lighter Socket

Safe Efficient PTC Thermistor Adjusts Power Consumption Automatically

Switchable Power Settings Between 150 & 250 Watts

State-Of-The-Art Circuitry Ensures Low Current Draw

Includes Adhesive Mounting and Mounting Screws

8' Power Cord

CE Certified


Perhaps a heated blanket would be better, so you're not wasting energy heating the air in the Jeep.

Only pulls 50.4 Watts

Sometimes that's the problem though.... my face, shoulders, head, feet, etc... get cold due to the cold air and keep me from sleeping well. This is even with my -20* bag

 

[pete.wilson]

Hey

I have in my trailer setup a modified sine-wave 2200 watt (4400 max) inverter from Cobra Electronics which has a remote on/off switch plate; feeding it is two Cabela's series 31 trolling motor batteries rated for 790 CA and 242 RC (Reserve Capacity) each, wired in parrallel. I use this to power a 700 watt microwave oven, toaster, charge some of my gear and allow for 12V outlets. Several days have not been an issue thus far. I can run a Holmes ceramic heatsafe1500watt heater but use the low setting (800W) just to knock off the chill. The nice thing is your not touching the trucks batteries and if there is a problem, connect the jumper cables. I also have an on-board 2amp charger to plug in, if I'm at a camp-ground.

Pete Wilson

 

[peekay]

I notice that a lot of expedition rigs use 2000-4000 watt pure since wave inverters. That represents a lot of coin! I've seen anywhere from $400-$1000 for a unit like this. Perhaps it's necessary, perhaps not.

My question then is: What inverter do I really need. In order to answer that, you need some information from me, like: what do I plan to run.

But first let me ask you, if you slept in and spent time in your rig, what would, or do, you run?

I sleep inside my jeep, here are the things I can think of needing to run....

I know I want to run a laptop (to charge and to run off of if batt dies)
Some type lighting for nightime
Fan
A safe heater (I assume a propane catalytic cupholder style heater is not safe to run overnight)
3/8" corded drill
Small welder (am I dreaming here?)

Except for the Laptop and lighting, I would only be running one of these things at a time ever.

Besides these things, what do you run off of your inverter????

I've run multiple tvs, from 15" LCD to 21 inch CRT, with modified sine wave inverters, and they all have worked without any problems. I have also run a Craftsman 19.2 volt cordless drill charger with my Tacoma stock inverter without any problems. YMMV.

 

[ntsqd]

On the lighting, I have an 12 volt 35 watt RV fluorescent light in my bed shell. That is bordering on too much light for the space. In my old VW Caddy I had an 18 watt 12 volt RV fluorescent light in it's shell and it was just about right.

Places like Camping World and West Marine can be a good sources for stuff like this.