Inverter: which to buy?

[Corbet]

Charging my cordless chainsaw might be the only thingy I can think of for an excuse. Probably cheaper to simply buy extra batteries.

Everything else I have will charge off an USB or cig 12v cord.

 

[Inukshuk]

I meant to link the 1,000 watt. A bit of overcapacity is ok. Last time I tried a blender at A-basin I blew the fuses. Ended up walking over to the building and finding a plug. So embarassing. LOL
Pure sine wave seems worth it. Very good chance I'd want to run a printer/scanner at some time, plus just the overall benefit of clean power.
Yes its possible to have 12v adapters for many things but that's more things to buy. Any power tools would probably be cordless so I'd only be charging those batteries.
And yes, I already have the small one i can plug in a cig lighter and throw it in the glove box for a laptop when needed.

Seems like there are many, many options out there for the units to buy. The one I linked has a display showing how much power is being used, which seems like a great idea.

 

[DaveInDenver]

In the case of an inverter bigger isn't always better. An inverter efficiency isn't singular and varies as a function of load. Being at either side of the curve can affect efficiency.

This is a generic curve but a good manufacturer should have this available for each model. In the case of using a 1kW inverter to run a cell phone charger would put you way down on the efficiency. That's because the inverter itself consumes energy regardless of how much you draw through it. A 1kW inverter might consume 50 watts even at no load and that's a lot of wasted energy if you're asking for 10 watts of load (e.g. 20% efficient).

This is not even to speak of regulation. A power supply run at either end of its rating will be more likely to not produce a clean output. You really want to be in the sweet spot of the inverter's rating and not be testing its minimum or maximum duty cycles. You ideally want to be in the middle, 20% to 80% of rated capacity.

Make it worthwhile to run the inverter is my point. If you're going to pay for 50 watts then use it for a 500 watt load. If you're only expecting small loads use a 100W inverter that costs maybe 1 or 2 watts.

 

[nakman]

I have a 1000w Tripp Lite in the Gx and I rarely use it.. and when I do it's silly things like power tools or Christmas lights, or bringing a croc pot to a party, etc. I ran a TV on it at Cruise Moab last year for vendor night... kinda fun but again non essential.

I am going to experiment with the portable power supply next- kind of a combination extra battery, inverter, and solar charge controller. ACO calls them portable solar generators, I just got this one: https://www.acopower.com/collections/portable-solar-generators/products/hy-sg-ps5b

Competes directly with the Goal Zero stuff- less capacity, but also less than half the price.. you can charge it up by the sun, the car, or the house... and then run it down with 110v stuff, 12v stuff, or USB stuff. I could bring it to the January meeting if anyone wants to mess with it, could get you one also if you want, would order along with the fridge group buy.

 

[Corbet]

No need for an inverter if blending is your goal. I've come close to pulling the trigger on this a couple times.

http://absolute-wits-end.com/wits-fender-blender-air-powered-blender/

 

[DaveInDenver]

 

[Stuckinthe80s]

No need for an inverter if blending is your goal. I've come close to pulling the trigger on this a couple times.

http://absolute-wits-end.com/wits-fender-blender-air-powered-blender/

View attachment 83052

Now if THAT isn't #OLAF, I don't know what is, lol!

 

[nakman]

Here's a little more information on the power supply I've been playing with... I like it more after messing with it a little more. One function in particular is its ability to measure output from various inputs... so plugging different solar panels into it then reading the wattage, then moving the panel, creating a shadow, etc. and measuring that effect. Kind of eye opening tbh, I had no idea how significant those changes are, has me rethinking my whole solar setup.

http://www.gamiviti.com/portable-power I could likely organize a group buy of these, if there's any interest? LMK. it's a pure side wave inverter too, I ran an angle grinder off it for a while just for funsies.

 

[Yeti]

http://www.gamiviti.com/portable-power I could likely organize a group buy of these, if there's any interest? LMK. it's a pure side wave inverter too, I ran an angle grinder off it for a while just for funsies.

I'm interested.

 

[Shark Bait]

Daniel, did you mean to link to a 100 watt or 1,000 watt inverter?

There's several reviews on a 300 W Bestek inverter, a couple with oscilloscope shots. Seems like a decent enough inverter.

https://www.amazon.com/BESTEK-300Watt-Power-Inverter-Adapter/dp/B07KQ4Q2L5

One person had a failure. Not surprising with relatively unknown brand Chinese stuff. Looks like typical poor workmanship, a few bad solder joints, that sort of thing. One thing to mention is they were running a 300 W inverter from a cigarette lighter plug. I'd strongly recommend against that for anything larger than 100 watts and even then I'd still prefer better connection.

This Bestek is 400W and slightly cheaper https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FMFYDRD/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3CACBKFDCS7PM&psc=1

 

[Inukshuk]

This Bestek is 400W and slightly cheaper https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FMFYDRD/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3CACBKFDCS7PM&psc=1

The one I linked is more expensive because it is Pure Sine Wave.

 

[Inukshuk]

FWIW, I have had this one:
BESTEK 200W Power Inverter DC 12V to 110V AC Inverter with 4.2A 4-Port USB Car Adapter [ETL Listed]

for a few years now. Have used itto charge batteries and run laptops no problem

 

[Stuckinthe80s]

I scored a factory inverter out of an FJ Cruiser at the pull a part in Littleton a while back. They only charged me $10!!! I didn't realize FJ's came with inverters. Not sure about the wattage, the dash button had 2 lights 100W and 400W. Even though I said I don't use an inverter, this will be a nice mod to the wife's Hundy.

 

[DaveInDenver]

I scored a factory inverter out of an FJ Cruiser at the pull a part in Littleton a while back. They only charged me $10!!! I didn't realize FJ's came with inverters. Not sure about the wattage, the dash button had 2 lights 100W and 400W. Even though I said I don't use an inverter, this will be a nice mod to the wife's Hundy.

It may be the same or similar to the one in Tacomas (same 100/400 watt rating anyway). It's worth $10 but not a lot more. It's output waveform isn't pretty. They are fine for most device chargers but I'd be wary of using it with something sensitive to noisy 120VAC.

The EWD pages for the inverter incase you need a reference on how to connect it. The factory configuration won't let you use 400W while you're moving for some reason. It will let me use 400W only with the engine running, clutch pedal out and MPH = zero. When I put the clutch it reverts to 100W.

 

[Corbet]

I’ve considered using a GoalZero or similar power station as a dual battery/inverter/portable solution. I could wire it to an ignition switched source to charge and isolate it, use it to power the fridge and has a built in pure sine inverter.

Down side is cost. Similar products out there at lower cost. Upside I guess is ability to remove from truck and use at any location.

https://www.goalzero.com/shop/portable-power/goal-zero-yeti-500x-portable-power-station/

 

[Old40Dog]

I have a WF5100 WFCO, 1000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter in my travel trailer that I can run a 1 Cup Keurig in the morning after running my CPAP all night. Its all about what you want to do and need to do...I have 2- 6V deep cycle golf cart batteries to power it. Looking to go to Lithium battery(s) when these are done in another year or 2. Very happy with the set-up.

 

[rover67]

I’ve considered using a GoalZero or similar power station as a dual battery/inverter/portable solution. I could wire it to an ignition switched source to charge and isolate it, use it to power the fridge and has a built in pure sine inverter.

Down side is cost. Similar products out there at lower cost. Upside I guess is ability to remove from truck and use at any location.

https://www.goalzero.com/shop/portable-power/goal-zero-yeti-500x-portable-power-station/

View attachment 84578

FYI Tim has some options that might be worth checking out if you are looking at Goal Zero

 

[Corbet]

FYI Tim has some options that might be worth checking out if you are looking at Goal Zero

@nakman ?

I'm not so much as looking, just have considered as a client has them at his retail store. I feel GoalZero is priced about double its real MSRP value.

 

[nakman]

@nakman ?

I'm not so much as looking, just have considered as a client has them at his retail store. I feel GoalZero is priced about double its real MSRP value.

Yeah I carry all of the ACO Power stuff... I have been messing with their portable power stations and have been generally happy with it, though tbh haven't put it to a real test, other than making it run angle grinders while simultaneously being charged by solar. And yes, about half the cost of the Goal Zero stuff, check out this page: http://www.gamiviti.com/portable-power

 

[Corbet]

Pure Sine?