Inverters

Submitted: Friday, Mar 15, 2013 at 10:02

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Inverters

This article discusses how Inverters work and why they are so desirable to many travellers. It explains the difference between modifed sine wave inverters and pure sinewave inverters; contains a

The Escapees

Can I please have some thoughts on the following?
I have a ute fitted with:-
2 x 160 watt solar panels
2 x 120 Amp AGM batteries
Redarc BCDC1240 Charger/MPPT ccontroller

I am mostly running a 70 litre fridge freezer ( permanently on ) as our second fridge with our main gear in our van which has its own panel and batteries.

My question : I wish to buy an inverter and would like to know what are/if any the disadvantages of purchasing say a 1500/3000 watt pure sine inverter over say a 600/1200 watt inverter if only running say 500 to 600 watt items.
Apart from the obvious $ difference am I using more power to run a larger inverter when only powering a small appliance? Is there is a power difference is it worth worrying about.

I would like a bigger inverter for just in case scenarios and better to buy now rather later.

Thanks

Neil

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Reply By: Member - Frank P (NSW) - Friday, Mar 15, 2013 at 10:27

Friday, Mar 15, 2013 at 10:27

Neil,
The inverter will draw only what it needs to draw to run the load, plus a small overhead, so the capacity of the inverter will make little or no difference to the power used out of your 12V system.

In a well-designed inverter the overhead is small, but can be a significant drain on your 12V system if left switched on with no load for a long time.

Cheers

FrankP

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AnswerID: 506822

Reply By: patsproule - Friday, Mar 15, 2013 at 11:50

Friday, Mar 15, 2013 at 11:50

Look at the full specifications sheet and check the 12v load at idle (no output load). If the larger one is not significantly more then no issues.

AnswerID: 506826

Reply By: olcoolone - Friday, Mar 15, 2013 at 11:58

Friday, Mar 15, 2013 at 11:58

The only disadvantage is the physical size of the inverter and the heavier cabling and fuse you have to use.

Be cautious re output of cheap inverters...... what they say and whet you get are sometime miles apart.

AnswerID: 506827

Reply By: GEMAC Solar and Power - Sunday, Mar 17, 2013 at 16:12

Sunday, Mar 17, 2013 at 16:12

hi guys
i have installed a 2700 watt unit. this also doubles as a battery charger as required.
great unit and now the princess can make coffee, bread, and run her hairdryer.

regards

Geoff

AnswerID: 506983

Reply By: GEMAC Solar and Power - Sunday, Mar 17, 2013 at 16:14

Sunday, Mar 17, 2013 at 16:14

hi guys
i have installed a 2700 watt unit. this also doubles as a battery charger as required.
great unit and now the princess can make coffee, bread, and run her hairdryer.

regards

Geoff

AnswerID: 506984

Reply By: Janos K - Thursday, Mar 28, 2013 at 18:24

Thursday, Mar 28, 2013 at 18:24

Hi Neil,
If using a 2Kw inverter to power a mobile phone then yes the power draw will be high compared to what you require.
If you do the same from a 300W inverter then the difference would be say 20mins ish on a 100aH battery.

However if you do have the need for 2000~3000W i would suggest going for the 3000W , Reason you ask? Some appliances such as kettles are rated at 2000W when infact they sink the full 10amps @ 240V which is 2400W , This draw is held longer than the peak or surge of an Inverter can handle. Hence a 2kw inverter will fail sooner than later. Whilst a 3K you will have no issues.

For most camping travelling applications all you really need is a 600W PSW max.
600W will do CPAP machines, TV, DVD , tablets and laptops.

Rarely you see the 2000W unless using Pixie coffee machines.

3000W if you are adamant in powering heavy power tools or Kitchen cooking appliances.
(bare in mind you need the batteries to support this system)

All we take camping is the 600W Pure, and rarely go above 300W unless we take the fridge for the longer trips.

AnswerID: 507752

Follow Up By: Janos K - Thursday, Mar 28, 2013 at 18:27

Thursday, Mar 28, 2013 at 18:27

PS : check out Invertershop , there's a large range their and another site Performanceshop

Any other suggestions sites ??
4WD Action mag have a subscription deal on with a 600W inverter for $300 , I saw this on the back of the Carravaning magazine

FollowupID: 785046