Thread: 240v inverter

Avoid 240. It's inefficient.

Get a DC-DC laptop adapter and use USB chargers for phones etc

Hi Jim, as Tombie posted, try to use devices that can be powered/charged using a USB adapter.

If you do decide to go with a 240vac inverter, try to keep it to no more than a 300w unit.

But the best and safest option is to use a USB adapter ( or two ).

These will allow you to power and recharge devices safely while you are camped and while driving.

I have a Jaycar 300w inverter in the back of my D4,its wired into the Traxide system.
Originally bought it for Lindsay to run his computer off whilst travelling when he was young in our Trytoo,then the D2.Was still going strong so I fitted it to the D4 thinking I can run a floro light or charge my cordless tool batteries if need be whilst travelling.
Andrew

If you need to fit an inverter there are two types a modified sine wave and pure sine wave. The modified are much cheaper and will run most chargers etc but using them to run portable fridges can cause damage to the fridge compressor as with modified sine wave generators. The new charging adaptors with most new laptops require a pure sine wave inverter or they will not work found out the hard way when travelling went to charge the laptop would not charge. After purchasing a Pure sine wave inverter back in business .

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

I have a Jaycar 300w inverter in the back of my D4,its wired into the Traxide system.
Originally bought it for Lindsay to run his computer off whilst travelling when he was young in our Trytoo,then the D2.Was still going strong so I fitted it to the D4 thinking I can run a floro light or charge my cordless tool batteries if need be whilst travelling.
Andrew

I have had my Jaycar unit for about 5 years. Flogged by the kids on a regular basis. Great inverter.
I agree with the USB idea but a lot of camera battery chargers are not available in12v, or are very expensive.
Pete.

Originally Posted by rocket scientist

I have had my Jaycar unit for about 5 years. Flogged by the kids on a regular basis. Great inverter.
I agree with the USB idea but a lot of camera battery chargers are not available in12v, or are very expensive.
Pete.

Unfortunately my experience with them has not been the same as you guys - and thier warranty isn't worth ****ing on...

I lashed out after killing a cheapy and the Jaycar ones and bought a Selectronic unit, but that's overkill to the max for what is being asked for here.

Also worth noting is that most inverters draw power while tunred on but sitting there doing nothing - the bigger the unit, the more standby power they chew - a cheap 1000 watt unit will pull over 1 amp from your batteries while doing absolutly nothing. There are some good more expensive units that will go to sleep automatically if they arent required and ony draw a few mA, but for what is being asked of here, that wouldnt be an issue - just don't leave it on when you aren't using it.

Originally Posted by rocket scientist

I have had my Jaycar unit for about 5 years. Flogged by the kids on a regular basis. Great inverter.

I agree with the USB idea but a lot of camera battery chargers are not available in12v, or are very expensive.

Pete.

What camera chargers are you talking?

I have a selection of chargers for my Canon gear and all very well priced.

I use an external laptop lithium battery which has 24 v, 12 v and 5 v usb outlets on it. Charge all devices from this while camping etc, and runs a CPAP machine, and internal tent lighting. This is charged from a dc dc device while on move or from Traxide DBS, and it has variable output voltage ( required 19v), purchased from Jazcar for about $ 80. Doesn't produce much waste heat while charging and much less power draw than an inverter.