Hi,
To answer some of your questions, take a look at
http://www.mdspower.com/inverters/inverter_faq.pdf
Remember, square wave inverters could fry your charger unit electronics as well as the batteries you are trying to charge up (depends on batteries used). They can certainly cause the charged batteries in your device to have a reduced life (caused by the harmonics generated by the inverter).
Lots of electronics will not run off a square wave inverter system (ie TVs, Monitors etc).
Pure Sinewave Inverters cost a lot more money (for a good reason). They will run any kit. Just make sure they have a good surge current capability and remember, just because your gadget is rated at say 500W output, this does not mean that is the total power used (could be 750W) It all depending how efficient the device you are powering is.
Rule of thumb would be 1000W inverter to run a gadget / gadgets rated at 750W.

Hope this comment has not caused you more confusion.

Just to give you an idea of new prices in UK pounds:-

For a really good 2000W pure Sine Wave Inverter £1700

2 off 300Ah Gel batteries to connect to it £500 each battery

Then add on cables (70mm Sq) plus battery terminals, relays, fuses etc £150

So you can see how prices go up a lot as the wattage increases.

Conclusion:- Keep it simple. Low wattage if possible (a lot cheaper)

Pay the extra and go for pure sine wave inverter.

regards,

Bob

Hiya

As far as I've read all the scare stories about how you need a pure sine wave or everything will fry is old news. Newer stuff is built to accomodate poorer quality a/c, and the reality for the recent few years is you most likely won't have a problem. Battery chargers where there is no contact, like a cordless toothbrush, probably won't be happy, but everything else "seems" zero risk.

Toothbrushes can actually be found powered by hand, lots of stuff can be 12v which seems a good way to go as has been said. The only use I'd have for a 2000W inverter (from http://www.sterling-power.com/images...0EX%20VAT2.pdf perhaps) is for a washing machine, and a 2KW Honda genny is also about a grand, is more versatile and works just fine

Just to add my agreement to previous posters, go 12 volts, so much is USB now for charging. I run a netbook which can run off a 12 volt supply (charger was a few quid off ebay and I bought a long life battery too)

I cannot actually think of a use for an invertor in my truck anymore ( i have a manual toothbrush......)

__________________
Rich

Iveco Turbo Daily 4x4 40-10
Ex Owner LR101 300Tdi Ambi 'Tiggurr'

Hi,
Please note that my commernt about possible damage referred to Square Wave inverters.
Modified Sine Wave Inverters will mostly be ok for charging purposes but will not run all types of equipment.
Pure Sine Wave inverters will run any type of equipment.
I agree that for what most people will want, the 12v - USB charging route will be OK. But remember USB voltage is 5V which may well not be a high enough voltage, hence the use of a small inverter.
Also I would also like to see you run a Combination Oven off 12v and a Honda genny whilst not putting out a pure sine wave, (hence may well not work your telly) is also damned noisey.
At the end of the day, everyone's needs are different.

Hiya

Its relatively easy to find either a tv that gets fed 12v from its mains adapter (so you just need a stabilised little 12v supply), or one that can just be connected to your 12v battery bank even with its varying voltage.

The washing machine I mentioned wouldn't be on for long, so a genny would be OK if I did get a small one. The genny can also recharge the vehicle battery too, since I've twice managed to flatten them (although used the leisure battery to jump myself, not ideal but works).

The one thing I'm still dubious about is a cordless drill charger on anything but a pure sine wave inverter, although I have heard latest developments have brought about a hand operated drill too. What will they think of next?

Jason

Hi,

I thought the hand drill was invented in the time of the Pharaohs (Ha Ha), maybe earlier.
Seriously though, I assume you mean a windup electric drill.
Speaking of windups, check this, ( How to make a wind-up generator for your notebook computer )
May save a few power packs but would be a hell of a way to run a washing machine.. Keep you fit though.
I agree that you can find virtually anything that will run from 12V these days (At a price though).
At the end of the day, I think once you've got high power mains from a beefy inverter it just makes life so easy. Use the stuff from home rather than buy 12v versions and just flick the switch to put the kettle or Coffee on.
(Cappuccino anyone?).
You are right about the drills and other motors not guaranteed to work off inverters other than pure sine wave. I would have thought the charger would be ok though, although I haven't researched this.

However you charge / power things I think you'll agree, we all need Gas bottles.
(Please don't say you can run from wood and diesel / petrol/ Yak shit)

)

Cheers,

Bob.