inverters
Submitted: Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 15:05
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Member - bob v (WA)
hi all, we are going to travel the
anne beadell highway in september and are trying to decide on what size inverter we need to run a lap top. we may need to run it for some time as our mapping system/gps is used this way. we have been advised to get anything from 100 watts to 600 watts. also how hot should they get and do they need a fan. any info would be of help. we only need to run it while driving as we have a gennni with us for when we set up
camp. thanks bob.v
Reply By: garrycol - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 15:27
Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 15:27
If you want it just for your laptop then you will be better off getting a 12v laptop charger from somewhere like Jaycar. These run from your 12v socket and have selectable voltages suited to your laptop. They come in different wattages/amp ratings and are normally only about $70.
You state you intend to use the inverter while mobile - this is a no no. In the case of an accident the car can become live with 240v. While there have been no deaths in this scenario - a few rescue staff have been electrocuted/zapped attending accidents where
inverters were in use.
AnswerID:
460509
Reply By: Member - DW Lennox Head(NSW) - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 15:30
Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 15:30
Bob
You can get 12 volt adapters to run a laptop. I bought
mine at JB Hi Fi. I have used it on my Dell Vostro successfully during my current trip.
Inverters use up quite a bit of power to run almost anything.
I also have a 300 watt inverter in the vehicle to charge up camera batteries on the run.
Have fun
DW
AnswerID:
460510
Follow Up By: Puma1 - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 23:04
Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 23:04
You can get 12v adapters for camera batteries too! I have 12v adapters for just about everything now. Cheers!
FollowupID:
734248
Reply By: AdlelaideGeorge - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 16:26
Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 16:26
Are you going to power up an electric blanket? - absolutely essential for some of us on those chilly nights...stabber/mixer for your yorkshire puddings etc?...600W is ideal.
Happy days
George
[Before I'm howled down - this is my recent persomal experience]
AnswerID:
460519
Follow Up By: Puma1 - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 23:11
Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 23:11
You can get a cordless stabber mixer (I just bought one from Harvey Norman) a Phillips with processor and ice crusher, fair enough it comes with a 240v power lead but that is reduced to 12v to charge the unit so I will be adapting a 12v charger to suit it. So no inverter needed for that either!
I can't find a 12v electric blanket though:-)
FollowupID:
734250
Reply By: Time - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 19:36
Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 19:36
300w will be plenty. They have an inbuilt fan, just make sure it isn't "buried" under luggage etc.
I use a 300w for the same purpose as you intend, as
well as running battery charging for the camera, no problems in the 6 years I have used it.
AnswerID:
460538
Reply By: Member - Serendipity(WA) - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 21:35
Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 21:35
I tried a 300w inverter for a while but it eventually blew my power pack for the laptop.
Later I found out that I should have purchased a pure sine wave inverter and a larger inverter.
Now I have a pure sine wave inverter 1000w nominal up to a 2000w peak. Seems to do the job. When you have an inverter of course you will want to run some other stuff like battery rechargers, etc.
I think the cheapest way would be to get a 12 v adapter if you want to run it while driving. But if you still want to get one just be aware it will produce 240v that can kill you. I have fitted
mine with a great big isolator switch so the leads which come directly from the battery can be switched off. And that is another point - what ever inverter you get buy some 6mm2 (min) cable to run it directly from the battery and try to make it as short as possible.
I purchased my gear from this website - others on ex oz have also used them and reported good results.
http://stores.ebay.com.au/Bit-Deals/Pure-Sine-Inverters-/_i.html?_fsub=1750571018&_sid=302026428&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322
Cheers
Serendipity
AnswerID:
460548
Follow Up By: AdlelaideGeorge - Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 20:22
Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 20:22
The 600W model is shown today as $92.00!!! Can that really be right?
Is it for 'auction' or is it really $92.00? I don't understand this interwebebaycheepcheepthingy.
Is yours double insulated Serendipity?
George
FollowupID:
734334
Follow Up By: Allfour4x4 - Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 21:30
Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 21:30
"I tried a 300w inverter for a while but it eventually blew my power pack for the laptop."
I didn't need to hear that! Just bought a 150w (cheapy) to run my netbook and charge camera batteries.
FollowupID:
734783
Reply By: Puma1 - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 23:30
Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 23:30
G'day Bob.
Here's a current eBay listing item No 270354695066 12v or 240v laptop power source.
Research it to find others as I just bought 2 of these from one of the catch of the day type sites they cost me between $20-$30 each delivered (identical to the one in this listing which is $164)
You just don't need an inverter to power a laptop and one of these type of power units won't blow up your laptop either.
Cheers!
AnswerID:
460558