Power inverter - Recommendations?

[danos]

HI
I'm looking at getting a power inverter to go from 12V to 240V. I will use it to run a laptop, charge cameras and toaster.

I have noticed some cheap 100W inverters in Kmart etc. Would these be suitable?

Thanks
Dane

[ausoops]

toaster is probably around 1200-1600W, a 100W inverter is only good for around 0.5A at 240V, all they are good for is running chargers for batteries.

[chimpboy]

Things with heating elements are not so easy to power with an inverter.

For your laptop and cameras, no problems. For the toaster, I would tend to suggest either looking out for a 12V toaster (I think they exist, 12V kettles do anyway), going for some kind of gas cooker option, or just eating something other than toast.

Anyway, for a smaller inverter I would still prefer to get one from Jaycar than from KMart. Got a good 300W one from Jaycar that is up to any tasks I subject it to... mainly charging things up.

[danos]

Ok, bread it is.

I'll have a look around. The reason i liked the kmart one was because it was cylindrical and compact.

Thanks

[chimpboy]

http://www.google.com.au/search?q=12V%20toaster

[danos]

Some info for those interested

http://www.exploroz.com/vehicle/electri ... rters.aspx

[on4tou]

give Hobbzee a ring he has 1000w and I think 1200w on he ebay shop.
Steve

[bushy555]

Buy cheapish china ones off ebay for next to nix.

Got a 1800w invertor mounted in the ute, up under the dash on the passenger side. Use it to run 240v tools - angle grinder and drill etc out in the middle of nowhere. Paid around $150 delivered.
Somewhere around the $250 will get you a 3000w (6000w surge) invertor.
Chunky, but works good. Runs any 240v welder with no sweat. Better have a dual batteries in parallel - sucks around 350 to 400amps at full strength, so they'll be eaten fairly quickly, more so if the ute is not running.

Sure - might get what you pay for, but for $150.00 to run your angle grinder and if it blows up, who really cares?