Selecting a power inverter.
02-06-2011, 08:24 AM
#1
Selecting a power inverter.
I want to be able to use a TV, blender and lights without having a generator. My boat has 4 batteries so I think as long as I dont go crazy with the power usage, Ill be ok without killing batteries. I have seen inverters priced from 50.00 to 400.00 bucks. Just wondering what I need to look for and which model I should buy. Thanks for any help!
02-06-2011, 02:49 PM
#2
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
There are plenty of TVs these days that run off of 12V power via a "wallwart" cord or a cord with "power brick". Basically, all LCD tv's are DC internally (except for the CCFL backlighting) so just look around for a TV that is already setup for DC power.
Inverters are one of two classifications: portable, intermittent use or installed, continuous usage.
The portable/intermittent use ones are very affordable. The others are expensive.
Blender, fans, stuff like that run fine off of cheaper inverters. Cooling is the main thing. Keep em cool and they live, let them get hot and they kick the thermal overload. For a blender, you need a good sized unit, but it can be a cheaper one.
I do, however, think you're better off running DC lights and a DC tv.
mc
Inverters are one of two classifications: portable, intermittent use or installed, continuous usage.
The portable/intermittent use ones are very affordable. The others are expensive.
Blender, fans, stuff like that run fine off of cheaper inverters. Cooling is the main thing. Keep em cool and they live, let them get hot and they kick the thermal overload. For a blender, you need a good sized unit, but it can be a cheaper one.
I do, however, think you're better off running DC lights and a DC tv.
mc
02-06-2011, 11:09 PM
#3
Charter Member # 55
Charter Member
There are plenty of TVs these days that run off of 12V power via a "wallwart" cord or a cord with "power brick". Basically, all LCD tv's are DC internally (except for the CCFL backlighting) so just look around for a TV that is already setup for DC power.
Inverters are one of two classifications: portable, intermittent use or installed, continuous usage.
The portable/intermittent use ones are very affordable. The others are expensive.
Blender, fans, stuff like that run fine off of cheaper inverters. Cooling is the main thing. Keep em cool and they live, let them get hot and they kick the thermal overload. For a blender, you need a good sized unit, but it can be a cheaper one.
I do, however, think you're better off running DC lights and a DC tv.
mc
Inverters are one of two classifications: portable, intermittent use or installed, continuous usage.
The portable/intermittent use ones are very affordable. The others are expensive.
Blender, fans, stuff like that run fine off of cheaper inverters. Cooling is the main thing. Keep em cool and they live, let them get hot and they kick the thermal overload. For a blender, you need a good sized unit, but it can be a cheaper one.
I do, however, think you're better off running DC lights and a DC tv.
mc
You can get 12v DC blenders also, but I have heard they are pretty weak.
02-06-2011, 11:32 PM
#4
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Xantrex make a bunch and I can vouch for their quality - I bought a couple of continuous supply units for the cottage in case the power goes out and they are perfect.
They make high quality full sine wave inverters which are expensive compared to their standard clipped sine wave inverter,
but, as mcollinstn said, it will be more efficient to get a TV/radio/electronic navigation devices to run 12v DC, as long as they are close enough to the batteries to minimize line loss. (voltage drop due to resistance of the wire);
Count on running #12, maybe #10 wiring for longer DC runs.
Griff, this is probably why you've heard 12v blenders run "weak" - the cable to the batteries is too thin or long and causing the 12v blender to see only 8 or 10 volts.
Anything with a hi draw should bo on an inverter (120-240) to avoid running big copper.
