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Inverter?

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Inverter?

Postby Woodster » 17 Aug 2022, 16:24

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Re: Inverter?

Postby Cabinetman » 17 Aug 2022, 20:01

Be interesting to see how long the battery lasts on 1200w! But handy if you just want a cup of tea whilst out.
I "reviewed" a rechargeable battery pack on here recently. Handy but heavy.
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Re: Inverter?

Postby Guineafowl21 » 18 Aug 2022, 09:35

That produces a ‘modified sine wave’, for which read ‘not a sine wave’. More delicate electronics just won’t run properly on it. I would spend a little more and get a decent pure sine type.
For a little while I used to repair broken inverters. Not very lucrative, but fun. Here’s a shot from my scope of a mod sine wave - nasty, choppy edges make for spiky voltages:
62CFBC24-EF18-4151-B5CF-0DF03FECEB22.jpeg
(328.36 KiB)


The difference in build quality between various units was striking. My rule of thumb was 1/10th input for output, ie to output 1000W you’ll draw about 100A from the battery. These are colossal currents to put through components and boards. Indifferent heat sinking was the most common cause of failure, but the mod sine units almost always failed on the output transistors, presumably due to heat and the awful waveform.

You really get what you pay for with these - a good 1200W unit should cost 4-5x your example.
Last edited by Guineafowl21 on 18 Aug 2022, 10:11, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Inverter?

Postby Woodster » 18 Aug 2022, 10:10

Guineafowl21 wrote:That produces a ‘modified sine wave’, for which read ‘not a sine wave’. More delicate electronics just won’t run properly on it. I would spend a little more and get a decent pure sine type.


Thanks, Yes, I read about that yesterday. It would be mainly for running table lamps and charging phones and iPads etc.
This one’s a bit expensive but looks pretty good.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B092D2Q56H/ ... _lig_dp_it
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Re: Inverter?

Postby Guineafowl21 » 18 Aug 2022, 10:11

I added some more to the post once I’d found that scope pic.

That second unit looks better, but there are so many brands out there it’s hard to be sure. Choose one like I choose wine (I’m a beer enthusiast) - price, label, recommendations... :mrgreen:
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Re: Inverter?

Postby AndyT » 18 Aug 2022, 10:32

If your need is just for lamps and phone charging, you could leave out the inverter and stick with a 12v supply. Have you considered one of the newish Li-on based power packs? I think you can get them with a lamp and USB sockets built in.
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Re: Inverter?

Postby Woodster » 18 Aug 2022, 13:40

AndyT wrote:If your need is just for lamps and phone charging, you could leave out the inverter and stick with a 12v supply. Have you considered one of the newish Li-on based power packs? I think you can get them with a lamp and USB sockets built in.


I’d like the ability to plug other stuff into it just in case. ;) The Lithium power packs are what prompted me to look into this. They seem to be around three times the price of a simple deep cycle battery and inverter setup. I won’t be lugging it around so weight isn’t an issue like it would be for say glamping. :D
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