Thoughts on power inverter

reelsilly

New member

• Oct 20, 2016

• #1

Hello everyone, I had a question about power inverters. My rig is a 2012 and does not have an on board inverter. I have a portable one, but was wondering if anyone has installed a permanent one?

If so, what brand, thoughts, pros, cons. Pictures would be great. I do a lot of camping so I think one would come in handy.

Thanks, Chris


Sent from my iPad using WAYALIFE mobile app

 

Draconianwinter

New member

• Oct 20, 2016

• #2

Don't get the cobra brand inverters. Only seem to last about a year. Also will depend on what you want to be able to do with it. Power drive seems to hold up the best in most cases.

Sent from my SM-N920V using WAYALIFE mobile app

 

reelsilly

New member

• Oct 20, 2016

• #3

Are these portable ones? I'm looking one to hardwire and have a few outlet access points.


Sent from my iPad using WAYALIFE mobile app

 

Sharkey

Word Ninja

• Oct 20, 2016

• #4

First, figure out what you need to run (watts) and for how long.

I use a goal zero Yeti 400 electric "generator". I recharge with solar panels and it serves many purposes. Plus, the portability allows me to leave it at camp if necessary.

 

WJCO

Meme King

• Oct 20, 2016

• #5

I'm curious about this too. My only real need would be for tools, but as of now, I have a lot of cordless tools anyways. A full size coffee pot at camp would be nice though

 

bthomas

Member

• Oct 20, 2016

• #6

WJCO said:

I'm curious about this too. My only real need would be for tools, but as of now, I have a lot of cordless tools anyways. A full size coffee pot at camp would be nice though

Click to expand...

Coffee pots are killers! They're like giant watt sucking super resistors! I think my 12 cup Mr Coffee pulls around 1500 watts the best I remember. But it sure beats waiting on a percolator!


Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app

 

tdougherty81

New member

• Oct 20, 2016

• #7

bthomas said:

Coffee pots are killers! They're like giant watt sucking super resistors! I think my 12 cup Mr Coffee pulls around 1500 watts the best I remember. But it sure beats waiting on a percolator!


Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app

Click to expand...

I started using these with a kettle and my burner. It works out well and I actually prefer the pour over vs my coffee machine.

 

JeepJeep75

New member

• Oct 20, 2016

• #8

fellas, this is where it's at for coffee whores such as myself! Makes 10 delicious cups almost as fast as a plug-in.

 

catahoula

Caught the Bug

• Oct 20, 2016

• #9

I here are small compressors like Yamaha and Honda that have them all n there as well. I have been looking at this "cute" fini at Lowe's for about $159.... compressor that is. I had a Stanley brand inverter and come to think of it I wonder where it is?!

Sent from my XT1080 using WAYALIFE mobile app

 

Frydaddy

New member

• Oct 20, 2016

• #10

I've used my inverter on occasion, not very often though.

This setup uses a 400 watt Harbor Freight inverter. Pretty small for my needs, but I cant argue with free. thats only 3 amps at 120V, so 33 amps at 12V.
I used some 8 gauge jumper cable wire to get the power back there. That should handle up to 50 amps, and a 50 amp breaker up front before it hits the battery directly.




If youre using any big loads, a 1500 watt Inverter will pull 125 amps at full load. That means you'll need at least (1/0) gauge wire, and probably rev the engine too.
I would recommend a pure sine wave inverter as these cheap ones actually create a modified square wave signal, Not a big issue, but your devices will work harder to fix that "dirty power"
The ground pin is also floating on these modified square wave inverters, not a real ground. This usually isnt an issue, just don't connect it to the chassis.