Inverter Help

Yes,
but use a P U R E sine wave inverter

Ask your computer geek / shop techno person to inform you of the "technical" difference between pure and UN-pure sine wave inverters.

Most often the 240v runs the computer directly, not indirectly through the computer battery, hence the pure sine wave inverter which is 'cleaner' power without any chance of the damaging power bursts is safer.

Hi Phil,
Sorry to break the bubble, about 15 months ago I had a 150 W (Jaycar) modified sine wave inverter to run a laptop.

The laptop pulled approx 60 watt. After about 1 hour the inverter would alarm and shut down due to overheating.

I thought I had a dud inverter, so did some tests and plugged in a light (60W) and let the inverter run for several hours, no problems.

I checked current draw (12V side) and in each case (laptop / Light Bulb) the inverter was pulling approx 5 amps.

I took the inverter back to Jaycar and explained the problem. Despite the advertising in their catalogue, I was advised "dont use a modified sine inverter" for equipment with switch mode power supplies, which of course a Laptop has.

It "stresses" the inverter and also the switch mode power supply. Interestingly, the laptop power supply died approx 2 months later, and it was a short on the 240Vac side.

I exchanged the modified sinewave inverter for a pure sinewave unit and have not had any problems since.

Cheers,
Mal

Hi Mal

Thanks for your response and you have broken my bubble so to speak as my inverter is a 150 watt Jaycar about 2 year old. I must admit that I have not run my laptop on the inverter for more than about 15 minutes a time, and as mentioned previously it seems to get very hot for the time running. I have not measured the amps while it is running but the laptop specified max load is 4.1 amps which should not cause significant overheating.

I will now investigate buying a pure sine wave inverter for my laptop because your advice has convinced me that the cost savings for a modified sine wave inverter are not worth the risk.

Once again thanks for your advice

Cheers
Phil

I have and do run any combination of four of the following, fridge/freezer, plus computer, plus Energiser 'rechargable' battery charger, plus mobile phone charger, plus Coleman light recharger, off a 300w Pure sine wave inverter - without any hassles, since March 2006.

It does not overheat, maybe because it's fan cooled and not 'cheap-n-nastie' lol

I use a 4x outlet 240v power board, plugged into the Inverter, it allows 4x 240v products to run/charge 24/7

Note;
I run the fridge/freezer on 240v only when camped out of the sun (no solar) for long periods because it will independently recharge the AGM Aux battery system :-)

The budget priced inverters use a 'heat sink' without a fan

The (better quality) more expensive inverters still use a form of heat sink - but also use 'fan forced ventilation' to remain running cool.

Mine has never cut off, however I have some times heard the fan go on /off during the day.
The inverter stays on 24/7 when away because there is always some battery or light that needs charging or power.