Inverter Safety (& Advice)

If you are happy with 240v floating around in your vehicle.

I installed several extra lighter sockets and used them with the different chargers permanently in them

Used a 12-19v step up power module to run the laptop with no probs as long as its at least a 6amp 90w model.

Not a fan of being in a ditch with the car live and no one can get you out.

Unlikely I know but it could happen

You may also be reducing the voltage again to charge all these things so why use two steps when 1 wil do.

Paul,

There's been some heated discussion on inverters and safety here recently, but it's generated a lot more heat than enlightenment.

The one your link points to appears to be a quality unit, and should be perfectly safe to use. BUT - as with all high voltage sources, if something goes wrong, such as water ingress, it MIGHT become dangerous if there is also some fault in the insulation of the output lead or any appliance attached to it. Being in a metal vehicle makes this situation far more dangerous than it would be in your home, since the vehicle can become one of the electrodes.

The high voltage exists between two wires in the output cable. The danger from high voltage electricity does not come from TOUCHING either of these wires. It comes from the current that can flow through your body if you touch one of them AND are also connected somehow to the other wire. The particular risk in a metal vehicle is that an insulation breakdown could result in at least a partial connection between one of the wires and the body of the vehicle. If you then touch the vehicle (hard to avoid if you're inside it) and also the second wire you will get a nasty shock, which could be fatal. This situation requires two faults to occur, so the risk is small, very very small with quality gear kept clean and dry. The consequences though are potentially very serious.

I prefer to use individual 12V adapters to run all the technology. Suitable adapters are available for anything you are likely to need - laptop, cameras, ipods, torches....... Using 12V adapters you avoid the hassles and risks of high voltage, use less power from your battery, save money. If you prefer the flexibility of an inverter, I think the one you've suggested is a good choice. The specs look good, though the standby current (1.2A) is a bit high and the efficiency (<90%) not too flash.

HTH

John

Paul,
I've had my 300 Watt PSW inverter for a number of years now, and use it when traveling and also when stationary too.
I'm not getting into a floating argument as mine is 'attached' to the end of a timber bed frame so it goes nowhere.

However, I do run all 240v through a 4 plug powerboard which is protected by an inline 240v fuse, which I believe should be just as mandatory in a 240v circuit as it is in a 12v circuit.

Maîneÿ . . .