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electrical:inverter [2024/04/04 01:23] frater_secessus [MSW and electronics] timwarren |
electrical:inverter [2024/04/18 00:01] frater_secessus [Inverters] |
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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:// | 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:// | ||
- | AC-only items will require an inverter. | + | Note: **only AC loads will require an inverter**. [[electrical: |
+ | |||
===== efficiency ===== | ===== efficiency ===== | ||
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Once you have made your MSW vs. PSW decision the next step is **sizing the inverter** (picking the right capacity). | Once you have made your MSW vs. PSW decision the next step is **sizing the inverter** (picking the right capacity). | ||
+ | ==== special case: tiny loads ==== | ||
+ | [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | For ~120w loads you can use [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | Note: Ciggy ports are already prone to failure and poor connections. | ||
+ | |||
+ | In any case, find out what kind of fuse your ciggy port uses and have some on hand. Mistakes are easy to make and easy to fix (if you have the spare fuse waiting). | ||
==== estimating your needs ==== | ==== estimating your needs ==== | ||
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The low voltage cutoff is to protect your batteries from [[electrical: | The low voltage cutoff is to protect your batteries from [[electrical: | ||
- | HandyBob((https:// | + | HandyBob((https:// |
+ | |||
+ | ===== cooling ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Most inverters have fans to pull cooler air through them. Some do this only when they are too warm, or at a given power output regardless of temp, and some run 100% of the time. | ||
+ | |||
+ | If your fan runs only when hot, do not turn off the inverter until the fan has cooled the insides and stopped running. | ||
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+ | ===== running big loads at lower power ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | see [[electrical: | ||
===== sharing power ===== | ===== sharing power ===== | ||
- | Because higher voltage power has less losses over long wires, it may be most efficient to share power between RVs as 120v. The donor vehicle would invert to 120v, plug in an extension cord to their inverter and run it to the recipient. | + | Because higher voltage power has less losses over long wires, it may be most efficient to share power between RVs as 120v. The donor vehicle would invert to 120v, plug in an extension cord((outdoor rated and approprate gauge)) |
===== differences from shore power 120vac ===== | ===== differences from shore power 120vac ===== |