- Location
- S.Subs of Chicago, IL.
Need someone to explain how to pick one. I know it's based on what you plan to run, but, has anyone found a good rule-of-thumb to follow?
Power Inverter
- Thread starter TKDx00
- Start date
- Location
- Amarillo, TX
bigger = better you can never have too big of an invertor, you can easily have too small of one.
R
ryandavenport
Guest
I agree. Definitely get one that needs battery cables ran to it. Less than that really isn't worth much.
Sent from my DROIDX
Sent from my DROIDX
- Location
- S.Subs of Chicago, IL.
OK...what size are you talking? 875w, 1000w, 1500?
Agreed in this case bigger is better but didn't want TOO big.
Note to me: Cobra 2500 @ Cabela's $250
Agreed in this case bigger is better but didn't want TOO big.
Note to me: Cobra 2500 @ Cabela's $250
Last edited:
- Location
- SW OK & formerly Eastern NM
It all depends on your needs man. I have a little one that I barely use at all, but I don't plan on needing it very much. So far it's been handy for the times I've ran out of juice on my camera and need to be able to charge it. It's like most things for your X, what are YOUR NEEDS?
- Location
- Amarillo, TX
honestly, I'd go 1500-2500W
but, I found ya this....
http://www.amazon.com/Power-Bright-...YQ/ref=sr_1_34?ie=UTF8&qid=1327722078&sr=8-34
if that's a bit overkill for you, try this...
http://www.amazon.com/Whistler-Pro-...DI/ref=sr_1_26?ie=UTF8&qid=1327722031&sr=8-26
As far as it goes, if I drop the cash to throw an invertor in, I wanna be able to power my pancake air compressor, nothing beats having a full power air compressor to refill tires with after dropping air pressure to go wheeling. Or big enough to run a microwave if needed, or absolutely anything else that I could want to throw at it.
but, I found ya this....
http://www.amazon.com/Power-Bright-...YQ/ref=sr_1_34?ie=UTF8&qid=1327722078&sr=8-34
if that's a bit overkill for you, try this...
http://www.amazon.com/Whistler-Pro-...DI/ref=sr_1_26?ie=UTF8&qid=1327722031&sr=8-26
As far as it goes, if I drop the cash to throw an invertor in, I wanna be able to power my pancake air compressor, nothing beats having a full power air compressor to refill tires with after dropping air pressure to go wheeling. Or big enough to run a microwave if needed, or absolutely anything else that I could want to throw at it.
- Location
- S.Subs of Chicago, IL.
The whistler is more my speed price wise. My tools are an investment over the years and they work. No sence in reinvesting in things I already have. The essential ones are small enough to carry in my tool/storage box. The inverter is just what I need inside. As far as a nukerator...that's for the trailer and was thinking about a small generator... HAHAHAHA 
- Location
- Columbus OH
I have a couple of 800w and have never needed any more. About all that ever use them for is to charge a laptop or batteries for a camara, or recharge my cordless drill. It is so much easier to get 12v stuff to begin with instead of loosing efficancy by having to run the inverter. Just about everything that you want you can get in a 12v version.
- Location
- Huntsville, AL
This.
I've had one for a couple of years, being transported from car to car, that I've always used for road trips. If you're like me and just need one from time to time to recharge something or travel with, you don't need the biggest and baddest one out there. I have a 350W inverter that charges a computer+ when on road trips. Its all about needs with it comes to inverters. Best part about mine? It cost me about $40 on sale.
- Location
- S.Subs of Chicago, IL.
I guess I started the debate over watts. I have the need to run something electrical all night long or I sound lke a busted chain saw on steroids when I sleep. It doesn't have a battery version because batteries wouldn't last 8 hrs of continious use every night. So an inverter is the solution. Additionally as stated before, I've got plenty of electrical tools that I just can't see replacing with rechargeable ones... just because.
So there, the secret is out...Either an inverter or yall stay awake all night while we go wheelin... :lolz:
So there, the secret is out...Either an inverter or yall stay awake all night while we go wheelin... :lolz:
- Location
- Amarillo, TX
I presume you mean a CPAP machine, or wtf ever they're called, that's supposed to help with sleep apnea. You should be able to look up the mfgr info, they should have a contact number or e-mail address, and tell them that you are getting ready to go on a camping trip and have their machine (model number xyz) and need to know what it's wattage draw is so that you can ensure that you have an adequate power inverter to take care of running the machine. They should be able to give you exact numbers, and you can gauge it from there
- Location
- S.Subs of Chicago, IL.
Yea, I'm set w/ the CPAP. There are a few other things I would need house current for tho. Things yall don't need to know about yet...lol
- Location
- Amarillo, TX
electric blanket, massaging pillow etc, I fully sympathize, I like camping with those too
- Location
- S.Subs of Chicago, IL.
electric blanket, massaging pillow etc, I fully sympathize, I like camping with those too
yea...those flavored coffee containers for the cappuccino machine are taking up too much room...
- Location
- Columbus OH
There is nothing better than a 12v electric blanket tucked into your sleeping bag. most of them have a timer built in so if you get cold, you hit the button and go back to sleep. After 20 min or so it shuts off, but you stay nice and warm for the next couple of hours.
And I must admitt, that I do have a way to make espresso, or capp on the trail, it is much easier than you would think.
And I must admitt, that I do have a way to make espresso, or capp on the trail, it is much easier than you would think.
One thing you might want to look for is your output wave form. Sensitive electronics like laptops can sometimes be damaged by inverters that output power digitally, or in what's called a modified sine wave. Inverters that output a pure sine wave are much better, but harder to find and much more costly. I haven't had a problem with my laptop and inverter, which is a modified sine wave output, but I know a couple of people who have had problems with laptops, camera chargers, and one buddy burned up a compressor motor on a refrigerator on his boat. At least, the electrician told him that the inverter was the cause.
Anyway, something to be aware of.
A quick search for "pure sine wave inverter" finds this:http://www.invertersrus.com/puresinewaveinverters.html
Prices aren't as high as they used to be. That's something.
Anyway, something to be aware of.
A quick search for "pure sine wave inverter" finds this:http://www.invertersrus.com/puresinewaveinverters.html
Prices aren't as high as they used to be. That's something.
- Location
- Amarillo, TX
good to know, thanks for the heads up!
I'm seriously contemplating building in an inverter and putting an AC plug up in the front, and one at the back seat....after all, I do have the kiddo to worry about in the future.
I'm seriously contemplating building in an inverter and putting an AC plug up in the front, and one at the back seat....after all, I do have the kiddo to worry about in the future.