Notice: We request that you don't just set up a new account at this time if you are a previous user.
If you used to be one of our moderators, please feel free to reach out to Chris via the facebook Outerlimits4x4 group and he will get you set back up with access should he need you.
Recovery:If you cannot access your old email address and don't remember your password, please click here to log a change of email address so you can do a password reset.

power inverter size!

For all things Electrical.

Moderator: -Scott-

Post Reply
Posts: 2513
Joined: Sat Mar 05, 2005 1:14 am
Location: ingleburn

power inverter size!

Post by familybus »

what size is your inverter?
what brand?
what do you run off it?

i want to buy one but dont want more than i need powerwise so as to keep it real in price! thanks
Posts: 1516
Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2004 3:36 pm
Location: melbourne australia

Post by pcman »

ok ive used a 300w inverter to power a computer and 12" lcd screen worked fine
for info some aprox power wattage some things will use

videocamera battery charger - 20w
mobile phone charger - 10w
laptop - 100w
lights - whatever wattage they are
fluro light - 20-40w

most appliances have there wattge listed on them so decide what you wanna take then buy a inverter to suit

i would say a 600w inverter would cover most ppl's usage

i have ran a 800w angle grinder of a 300w inverter it didnt like it tho lol
Posts: 1619
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2003 11:26 pm
Location: Brisbane, Australia

Post by Rainbow Warrior »

I have a 1700w inverter by MR Inverter on the Sunshine Coast.

I run a 900w air compressor off it, sometimes a 1000w circular saw or the house fridge, TV, video etc during blackouts.

They really don't work effeciently on heating elements or microwaves etc, motors like my saw lose a bit of grunt. Anthing straight electronic is no problem. Remember motors can pull around 3 times their wattage on start up depending on loadm so cheack the surge rating as well as run.
Pat,
Brisbane, Australia,
JK 4door Rubicon, currently 4 Sale :(
It's a Jeep thing, I don't understand........
Posts: 3523
Joined: Sun May 18, 2003 8:42 pm
Location: Somewhere they can't reach me, shoot me or electrocute me...

Post by Area54 »

150W in the hilux
300W in the Mav

Both of these are mainly used for charging the camera batteries when in the field, or the laptop for field video capture work.

Inverters are not 100% efficient, with losses to the conversion process itself and other ancillary items like the fan to cool the units heatsinks. As a rough guide the wattage of the unit equates to the amperage drawn at full load, or the wattage of the appliance will equal the amperage drawn from the battery - very rough guide though as lots of variables can change the amp rate.

Both of mine are dick smith specials, very happy with the reliability, mine would prolly get more use than most - lots of field work.

Both mounted solidly to cargo barrier or under dash to reduce knocks etc.
Built, not bought.
Posts: 1570
Joined: Mon Aug 02, 2004 9:38 am
Location: Dalby

Post by Utemad »

I had a 150w Jaycar unit.

I would run
2x 40w fluoros
1x laptop
1x AA battery charger.

Sometimes all at the same time. However a screw came loose inside and shorted the unit out so it is now DEAD.

I now have a Xantrex 300w but it won't run my laptop. Wierd.
Land Rover Discovery series 1 V8
Posts: 367
Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2005 10:45 am
Location: Tasmania

Post by Tas_Dean »

Utemad wrote:
I now have a Xantrex 300w but it won't run my laptop. Wierd.


Plug a small lightglobe in as well as your laptop, then you can unplug the lightglobe. Some invertors have trouble turning on with a switchmode load, but use the resistive load of the lightglobe to start it, then it should be fine!

Cheers, Dean
Just a web wheeler now!
Posts: 126
Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2004 9:55 am
Location: Toowoomba

Post by wannaberacer »

I run a 400w inverter to power the XBOX for the kids. It supposedly needs around 300w to run, so I added a bit more as they apparently power spike on startup.
Posts: 1570
Joined: Mon Aug 02, 2004 9:38 am
Location: Dalby

Post by Utemad »

Tas_Dean wrote:
Utemad wrote:
I now have a Xantrex 300w but it won't run my laptop. Wierd.


Plug a small lightglobe in as well as your laptop, then you can unplug the lightglobe.


Tried that but that didn't work. Turned out the inverter actually shuts down (even thought the failure light does not light). End result is the inverter shuts down and the laptop power supply just sits there clicking.
Land Rover Discovery series 1 V8
Posts: 367
Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2005 10:45 am
Location: Tasmania

Post by Tas_Dean »

Bugger!
Just a web wheeler now!
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests