just about to get out auto sparky to do some work on our vehicle and I'm thinking of getting a pure sine wave inverter installed. Some questions for the gurus?
1 is it worth getting an inverter installed
2 we would only use it to charge a couple lap tops
3 what size should we look at getting - bearing in mind our second battery is only an 55amp hour Optima yellow top
If you only want to charge laptops then NO it is not worth it. Your battery is not up to doing much 240 V output as the power draw is high to run a 240V inverter.
All you need is a 12v laptop charger for MOST laptops. These can be purchased online or from electronics type retailers. They have a selection of tips to suit most laptops and similar devices and the voltage can be set to suit also. More efficient that stepping up to 240 then down again to 19 V or whatever. They work best when the battery is being charged and the voltage is up a bit on the battery.
I have used them for years and usually fully charge the laptops while driving or the solar is working. Then when you use the laptop and plug it into 12V it only need to keep supplying the power being used and no worries doing that OK any time. However perhaps Apple's cannot use these simple units.
Jaahn
something like this : http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Universal-12V-Car-DC-Battery-Charger-Adapter-For-Notebook-Laptop-/162141970993?epid=922183441&hash=item25c06a2231:g:NBIAAOSwtnpXjrcK
-- Edited by Jaahn on Saturday 22nd of July 2017 08:01:46 AM
We use a 100W pure sine wave inverter that we got a lot of years ago. Only use it gets is for charging things like camera batteries, e-cigarette batteries, phones, etc. With all sorts of chargers plugged in to a power board we draw less than 50W and only use it whilst on the move. Our camper came with a 1500W pure sine wave inverter installed that we haven't used yet except to run an electric rattle gun for removing and replacing the wheel nuts when we had our only puncture.
Your choice. Convenience of using your existing 240V chargers or getting a slew of 12V chargers. We went with the "bugger it, we'll just use the chargers that we already have" option.
We also have a small 150W inverter that we use for charging computer, camera battery and mobiles. Works fine. Our van came with a 2000W pure sine wave inverter that we have never used.
Cheers
Jaycar sell a very reliable 400w pure sine wave inverter that also has a USB port. Using this sort of inverter set up enables things like electric blankets, devices that can be USB charged and other devices that need 240vac for charging or operation. The battery wouldn't do well on its own but combined with solar for the chargers while camping or for the last hr or two of driving so the beds are warm and everything is charged up when you arrive. Maybe a better battery could be added in the future to add a bit of flexibility further up the track. You have to start improving living conditions some where if you want more than basic camping so a good inverter choice is a great start
T1 Terry
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THIS is Sunny Australia.
Tropics. beaches, sharks. Roos.
Oh Yes. I forgot.
That land down below Gladdie somewhere hey.
I use zilch, or a sheet. 10 months of yr.
Maybe a kids light blanket for a coupla weeks.
Queensland.....
The TRUE Australia.
The thort of even a "frost".
Makes my toes curl.
I'll have to live in Hibernation for a week next month in Melb.
Bed\Fire. Bed\fire. Movies. Whiskey for consolation.with a
box of Mars Bars, and Dark Chocky..
Grandkids can look after my cat at home.
They loove my heated pool.
Inverters.
In all the yrs.
I have a 150 for Laptop and Tablet. Plus a 600w.
The 600 is still in it's wrapper in box.
Most things 12\24v. The Air Cond = Genny.
You can choose between a 12 V input power supply for your computer or use an inverter, the choice is yours. Remember the 12 V power supply will be much more efficient as you have only one conversion process with the power supply but you have two conversions with the inverter. If you go for the inverter don't install it, you can just install a 12 V power point with heavy wire to the battery.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
Your battery is not up to doing much 240 V output as the power draw is high to run a 240V inverter.
