Thread: Inverter/ Charger Question

Switch mode power supplies like that with a wide range of input voltages will list the maximum current at the lowest voltage needed to create the output power. So at 220V in it would need less than 1/2 the maximum current specified, ie around 0.5 amps.

Dave, I would recommend a 300 watt unit for charging a laptop. If you have a need to use it for anything else, then go bigger again. I just bought a Kogan 1000 watt pure sine wave inverter for $129. Works great, but not sure what life expectancy I'll get from it yet...

As Bacicat as said, I'd be going for at least a 300W inverter - if that suits your particular laptops power needs.

A lot of inverters are listed has having "X" amount of watts, however that may well be the max surge current of the unit - you really don't want to be running it at a max surge current, what you are looking for is the continuous current.

To be on the safe side I would be looking for an inverter with a continuous current of 25% more that what you require to be on the safe side.

I am looking at a 300 watt with a 600 surge capacity. I had no doubt that 300 would do but I just did not understand how my small charger could be pulling 360 watts.

Bee utey has answered that for me.

I am looking at one of these.

SureSine ? Morningstar Corporation

I am waiting for a nephew living in the US to get back to me on postage.

That looks like a nice unit Dave.

Originally Posted by bacicat

That looks like a nice unit Dave.

But it's 110V output, so useless for anything other than some switchmode equipment.

Some gear is very sensitive to modified sinewave so look for a pure sinewave.

For running a laptop, id suggest going the more efficient Dc-Dc converter route...

Originally Posted by bee utey

But it's 110V output, so useless for anything other than some switchmode equipment.

Go back and have another look. It is available in both Au and US voltages.