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Inverters

For all things Electrical.

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Inverters

Post by StarkRavingSimmo »

What are people running at the moment?

I'm going to be going for a dual batteries setup in my next 4WD (coming shortly) and I want to run a laptop from an inverter.

I've come across this one here

http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/p/lenoxx- ... er-source/

But is that too cheap? What should I be looking for in an inverter?
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Post by chimpboy »

Bit of a worry how it says 300W on the page but 120W on the product itself...

But if the picture is an error then the price is okay.

I have this one: http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MI5104

One last comment though, if you are planning to run a laptop then you are imho going to be better off getting a DC-DC converter to suit.

eg. http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MP3474
http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MP3472

I have both and really, the inverter is reserved for stuff that I can't get in DC form.
This is not legal advice.
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Post by StarkRavingSimmo »

Well, so far all I've really wanted to run is a laptop so I think you could be right, I'd be better off with the laptop jobbie.

The 150W one looks good and decently priced. It wouldn't be too hard to wire in. I might just ditch the inverter then
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Post by festy »

^^^ what the chimp said.

Cheap MSW inverters like those can occasionally wreck laptop batteries, the DC-DC ones will not. I have been using a 60w Jaycar DC-DC PSU for a couple of years and couldn't be happier with it.
They are also safer, smaller, and just better for laptops.
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Post by StarkRavingSimmo »

Sweetness. Thats good to hear.

What laptop you running in the car / for what purpose?
You might be able to offer an opinion on this?

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic165610.php
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Post by festy »

Already offered an opinion ;)

I'm running a P3 laptop (minus screen) mounted behind the rear seat on the cargo barrier with an 8" TFT screen on the dash, running Roadrunner frontend, Oziexplorer and a few other navigational/entertainment/communication/car monitoring apps as well.
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Post by StarkRavingSimmo »

Yeah i just realised that :) Cheers mate.

Sounds like a sweet setup. Not sure how i'll mount my laptop up front :?

I'm open to suggestions
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Post by Red Dog 4x4 »

Dont bother about running a inverter unless you want it to also run some thing like a tv. I bought a power pack for my laptop that runs of 12volts and pulles 3amps i think it cost me about $70 and it pluges in to a Cigeret lighter socket
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Post by StarkRavingSimmo »

yep thats what chimp said

eg. http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MP3474
http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MP3472

they look pretty good. i think that'll be the option i go with
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Post by festy »

I just looked at that dealsdirect inverter - it's 300w peak - so it's not a 300w inverter, it's 120w.
Also, I doubt it's isolated, I'd avoid it...
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Post by StarkRavingSimmo »

yeah i'm gonna avoid it.

i only need it for the laptop so i like the 150w one from jaycar you suggested
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