Using Inverters to charge computer/phone

Submitted: Friday, Jan 10, 2003 at 01:24

ThreadID: 2885 Views:2643 Replies:6 FollowUps:4

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Adam

Hey guys;

does anyone know the implications (if any) of using a 12-240V inverter to charge a laptop battery and satellite phone from the cig lighter using their normal 240V chargers (rather thasn buying thiose product specific bloody expensive 12V things)....

thanks

adam

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Reply By: Member - Cruiser1 - Friday, Jan 10, 2003 at 04:41

Reply By: OziExplorer - Friday, Jan 10, 2003 at 07:31

Reply By: Lyds - Friday, Jan 10, 2003 at 08:51

Friday, Jan 10, 2003 at 08:51

I had heard that the cheaper inverters may cause problems with some adapters, so I bought a full sinewave inverter. I got it yesterday and the problem with this one is that if you don't draw enough power it turns off!
Great for a lamp, but can't run my ipaq pocket pc.

AnswerID: 10977

Follow Up By: Peter S - Friday, Jan 10, 2003 at 10:20

Friday, Jan 10, 2003 at 10:20

Some inverters have an ajustment that stops it turning off

FollowupID: 5932

Follow Up By: Oziexplorer - Friday, Jan 10, 2003 at 10:39

Friday, Jan 10, 2003 at 10:39

Lyds I have heard and even read in articles that these cheaper invertors can cause problems with some invertors, however, they are extensively used and have not heard of any problems. You may find that with that invertor you bought, if you get a 10w pygmy bulb and use it in conjunction with your iPaq charger it will not turn off. Major problem with a 10w bulb the filaments are not very durable so don't know how long it would last if you are using it mobile. As a matter of interrest. a 100w 240vAC load on your invertor equates to around 10amps on 12vDC, so make sure your wiring is up to scratch.
For those using the cheaper invertors, if you measure the voltage on them with a normal AC voltmeter, they will only show around 180vAC. This is normal, as you need a proper RMS volt meter to measure the voltage on them. The output is actually 240vAC. Lyds, on your sine wave invertor, with a normal voltmeter it should read 240vAC.
The Dick Smith invertors are made in Taiwan by a large company and is a major supplier of invertors world wide (URL below). You can buy these rebadged and in different colour cases in around 30+ brands with some amazing difference in prices, and they are all the same inside from the ones I have seen.
http://www.topsmate.com/powerInverter.htm