Inverter deal

[firetruck41]

Though some of you might be interested in an inverter bargain. I bought a Cobra 800w continuous/1600w peak inverter from Amazon for $39.99, it also has free shipping if you order from Amazon and not one of the "third parties" that are also listed on the page. It is not listed as to how many watts it is in the product title, but if you look in the details it is the 800w unit.

I can't comment on how it works yet, 'cuz I won't recieve it for a couple days yet, but it is one of the cheapest ones I found and is from a "reputable" brand, not one of the no names I have seen elsewhere on the web. Most of the 800w units are $89+


When you check out, you can pay for shipping and it says it will ship sooner, or you can get the free super saver shipping. I choose the free supersaver shipping and it said to expect it in two weeks, however, I tracked it and it shipped, from Kentucky, the next day and will arrive tuesday, which is exactly 7 days.

I will post a follow up when I get it.

Hope this link works: Cobra 800w Inverter, model #CPI-850

 

[yep]

Thanks.

This is a great deal on a direct-connect 6.6 amp inverter.

 

[97 FZJ80]

Pretty good deal. I have two inverters, 1.2k and 1.5k watt units. I got the bogger units so that they can power my microwave.

 

[firetruck41]

Recieved it today, it has a nice molded plastic storage case and comes with short cables to diret connect to the battery. I am short on time, but did a quick test and it lit up a halogen desk lamp just fine, I didn't try to stress it out yet. According to the manual it is rated at 7 amps, will run 800 watts for 60 min, then supposed to let it cool for 15 min, 1600 watt peak, automatic- overheat, over voltage, under voltage alarm/shutoff. It also has a fan, most of the other smaller (800w or less) inverters did not appear to have fans when I was looking, so that's a bonus.

 

[cabron]

I think I'm going to have to order one.

 

[nat]

I ordered on too, should be here soon. Should be perfect to charge camera batteries while out on trips.

 

[BOUNDER]

Hurricane season begins again in a few months - usualy power goes out for days - this could probably ease some of the burden. Thanks.

 

[97 FZJ80]

Might want to look into a cheap generator to tie you over during the hurrican power outages.

Pep Boys has a inexpensive 1.2k watt generator for $130.

 

[MrMoMo]

Just be aware that a lot of the cheaper inverters do NOT put out true sine wave, they put out what is known as "modified square wave" This will not cause an issue for things like lights, possibly not fridges, but can screw with electronics. There are ways to solve this problem, but the ones that I know of are more expensive than the inverters themselves.

Oh, and just so you know firetruck41, that halogen desk lamp will light up with 12VDC. (just draws more current than it would at 120V)

very simple explenation...

lets say it's a 100W bulb. - it is "basically" a resistor, what is known as a resistive load.

100W @ 120V = 0.83A
100W @ 12V = 8.3A

So, running that bulb directly off your vehcle battery would draw 8.3A. running it through the inverter would draw slightly more, as there are losses through the inverter...

It will not however run, if there is a transformer on the wall plug and you wire the wall plug directly to thebattery, DC power can not pass through a transformer. I am only suggesting that the bulb iself would light up if conected to the battery.

 

[firetruck41]

Just be aware that a lot of the cheaper inverters do NOT put out true sine wave, they put out what is known as "modified square wave" This will not cause an issue for things like lights, possibly not fridges, but can screw with electronics. There are ways to solve this problem, but the ones that I know of are more expensive than the inverters themselves.

Oh, and just so you know firetruck41, that halogen desk lamp will light up with 12VDC. (just draws more current than it would at 120V)

very simple explenation...

lets say it's a 100W bulb. - it is "basically" a resistor, what is known as a resistive load.

100W @ 120V = 0.83A
100W @ 12V = 8.3A

So, running that bulb directly off your vehcle battery would draw 8.3A. running it through the inverter would draw slightly more, as there are losses through the inverter...

It will not however run, if there is a transformer on the wall plug and you wire the wall plug directly to thebattery, DC power can not pass through a transformer. I am only suggesting that the bulb iself would light up if conected to the battery.

A laptop, should run fine on a modified sinewave inverter.
My halogen light was the type with a transformer on the plug end, it worked fine.

True sine wave inverters are significantly more expensive ie. $65 for 750w modified vs $290 for 600w true. For those who may be interested in the difference, following is from a faq about true sine wave vs. modified sine wave:

Do I need Modified Sine Wave, or Pure Sine Wave?

Advantages of Pure Sine Wave inverters over modified sine wave inverters:

a) Output voltage wave form is pure sine wave with very low harmonic distortion and clean power like utility-supplied electricity.

b) Inductive loads like microwave ovens and motors run faster, quieter and cooler.

c) Reduces audible and electrical noise in fans, fluorescent lights, audio amplifiers, TV, Game consoles, Fax, and answering machines.

d) Prevents crashes in computers, weird print out, and glitches and noise in monitors.

e) Reliably powers the following devices that will normally not work with modified sine wave inverters:

* Laser printers, photocopiers, magneto-optical hard drives
* Certain laptop computers (you should check with your manufacturer)
* Some fluorescent lights with electronic ballasts
* Power tools employing "solid state" power or variable speed control
* Some battery chargers for cordless tools
* Some new furnaces and pellet stoves with microprocessor control
* Digital clocks with radios
* Sewing machines with speed/microprocessor control
* X-10 home automation system
* Medical equipment such as oxygen concentrators

We carry a full line of Pure Sine Wave Inverters here at DonRowe.com, though most of the inverters we carry are Modified Sine Wave inverters. Modified Sine Wave works well for most uses, and is the most common type of inverter on the market, as well as the most economical. Pure Sine Wave inverters (also called True Sine Wave) are more suited for sensitive electrical or electronic items such as laptop computers, stereos, laser printers, certain specialized applications such as medical equipment, a pellet stove with an internal computer, digital clocks, bread makers with multi-stage timers, and variable speed or rechargeable tools (see "Appliance Cautions" below). If you wish to use those items with an inverter, then choose a Pure Sine Wave inverter. If you mostly want to run lights, TV, microwave oven, tools, etc, a Modified Sine Wave inverter is fine for your needs.

We often are asked if computers will work with Modified Sine Wave. It's been our experience that most (with the exception of some laptops) will work (though some monitors will have interference such as lines or a hum). However, if you have any doubt about any appliance, tool or device, particularly laptop computers and medical equipment such as oxygen concentrators, we recommend that you check with its manufacturer to be sure it is compatible with a Modified Sine Wave inverter. If it is not, choose one of our Pure Sine Inverters instead.

The difference between them is the Pure Sine Wave inverter produces a better and cleaner current. They are also considerably more expensive. You might find it practical to get a small Pure Sine Wave inverter for any "special need" you may have, and also a larger Modified Sine Wave inverter for the rest of your applications.

 

[97 FZJ80]

Most laptops can function with some pretty distorted AC signals. Those laptop power supplies are design to work in places with bad AC power and unstable voltage.

An inexpensive modified sinewave cheap invertor or generator will power most things in emergency situations. If you need to power devices that require "clean" power, you can always attach a inexpensive battery backup/conditioner in front of the generator. It can also helps with the startup power requirements.

 

[MrMoMo]

A laptop, should run fine on a modified sinewave inverter.
My halogen light was the type with a transformer on the plug end, it worked fine.

Laptops run on DC, the wall adaptor has a transformer in it which drops the voltage down, it then runs through a rectifier circuit to make DC. This filters out the squareness of the wave, thus resolving the problem. Using a transformer to clean up square wave is what I was talking about, but usually costs more than the inverters do.

I was not suggesting that you lamp would not work, I was being careful in how people might read me saying that it would run from your battery, read carefully. The BULB will light directly from your battery. The light will NOT work directly off your BATTERY if it has a wall transformer and you wire that to the battery. (DC power can not pass through a transformer) Never said it would not work off your inverter.