Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- electrical:inverter [2016/11/20 11:32]
frater_secessus [understanding the specs]
+++ electrical:inverter [2018/06/09 00:22]
frater_secessus
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+[[lifestyle:words_of_wisdom|Words of Wisdom]]:  "Inverters are excellent battery depleters." -- sternwake((https://vandwellerforum.com/showthread.php?tid=1462&pid=25783#pid25783))
+[[lifestyle:words_of_wisdom|Words of Wisdom]]:  "One can only put so much inverter on so much battery... A lot of people will put a 2KW inverter, or larger,  on a single 12v battery, but this can be compared to a 5 second drag car, which uses 5 gallons of gas to run the 1/4 mile, but then only having a 2 gallon gas tank."  -- sternwake((https://vandwellerforum.com/showthread.php?tid=256&pid=3823#pid3823))
 Inverters take 12v DC and turn it into 110v AC.  For shore power charging see [[electrical:converter|Converters]].
+It is **more efficient to use DC power directly** whenever possible. In particular it is more efficient than running a laptop of phone charger off an inverter.((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Here-s-one-for-you-inverter-lovers))
+AC-only items will require an inverter.
 ====== Modified Sine Wave ======
-Originally called "square wave" inverters, MSW inverters are inexpensive and ubiquitous.  If your inverter doesn't say it is MSW or PSW then it is MSW.
+Originally called "square wave" inverters, MSW inverters are inexpensive and ubiquitous.  If your inverter doesn't say it is MSW or PSW then it is probably MSW.
 Pro:
@@ Line 14: / Line 23: @@
   * can cause motorized items to run warmer
   * can cause some electronics to malfunction
-  * there is anecdotal evidence that MSW can damage some electronics.  The most commonly repeated stories are cordless tool battery chargers and laptop chargers.
+  * some reports of damage to electronics;  see below
+===== MSW and electronics =====
+there is anecdotal evidence that MSW can damage some electronics.  The most commonly repeated stories are Dewalt cordless tool battery chargers and laptop chargers.
 ====== Pure Sine Wave ======
@@ Line 40: / Line 53: @@
 Note that motorized equipment like the drill likely have **different current requirements for startup and for running**.  Getting that motor spinning takes more power than running it.    There are tricks you can use to minimize the start load, like starting a sewing machine at a low-load position.((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Is-it-possible-to-Boondock-with-an-electric-sewing-machine?pid=165956#pid165956))
-The best way to understand how much your 110v equipment needs during startup/running is to use a **power monitor** like the [[http://amzn.to/2fdgIrs|Kill A Watt]]. You may find that even non-motorized 110v items run at much lower power than their labeling would suggest.
+The best way to understand how much your 110v equipment needs during startup/running is to use a **power monitor** like the [[http://amzn.to/2fdgIrs|Kill A Watt]]. You may find that even non-motorized 110v items run at much lower power than their labeling would suggest.  Kill A Watts may be available for loan from your public library.((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=26835&pid=337451#pid337451))
 ===== understanding the specs =====

RV and vandwellers wiki

User Tools

Site Tools

Differences

Page Tools