Does anyone know more than I do about power inverters? I will definitely be installing one to provide real A/C current inside my MINI, but am not sure how much I should spend. The prices vary wildly from "too good to be true" to "It costs HOW much?" I just want to get the best power for my money and keep the actual unit as small as possible for my needs.

Looks like I need to get a "pure sine wave" model which is much more expensive, but claimed to be necessary for any sort of delicate stuff like a lap-top computer, etc.

How would I figure out how big of an inverter I need? I will likely only want to power a computer, charge various sorts of batteries, run an ARB portable freezer/fridge, and maybe make frozen drinks with a blender. . . . none of which must be done at the same time, but I might like to do 2 at the same time.



_________________
~Yucca Patrol~
Good judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgement.

7 sub 21

 

YuccaPatrol,
Check the web site of WestMarine Boat Supply. A 3000W portable AC Power station cost $139.99 or a 75W model for $29.99.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...p;x=30&y=4
Good luck,
Jceviche

_________________

<IMG SRC="https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...humb.jpg" >

 

Typical notebook uses about 60W of power.

I agree check West Marine or Comp USA.

Kesh

 

I have a nice 300W Sima inverter that cost around $75 when I bought it about 4 years ago. It's also nice in that it has 2 AC outlets and for the input allows you to switch (via screw connectors) between the standard lighter plug or cables that can attach to a battery. You could also use this arrangement to wire directly into your electrical system for a more permanent setup. Also, this may be nesc for the MINI in that I've found that getting a "standard" cig lighter plug into the MINI's front DC outlet (lighter socket) can be challenging. For example, the ones for my cell phone charger and radar detector DID NOT fit w/o first installing an extension cable which gave me more room to plug. The problem isn't the size of the actual outlet, but rather the clearance over the outlet (low). The rear (boot) outlet is much more servicable, but you either may not have one (I heard they discontinued them for 2003) or you may not want to be running extension cords around the interior of your MINI.

Finally, I'd note that for the computer you may be better off buying one of those airline/auto power supplies. They are the same size as the standard "brick" AC adapter and come with input plugs that allow you to plug into car ligher sockets AND the DC outlets found on some airlines (American and USAir in particular). Cost only about 50 - 75 and probably are better than getting a "good" AC inverter for your car. Check out port.com or any of the online computer places.

 

YuccaPatrol,

Don't be fooled by wattage ratings. The important thing is amperage. The initial draw of current from a device is the killer. When you know the wattage you require, look for the highest amp rating.

 

I had a little bit of experience with this sort of thing, as I am a "retired" drug chemist and we once had to go around all of the labs and determine how many amps/watts every piece of equipment required as we were planning a UPS system to prevent power-outages that were very common in the old industrial area of town.

I want to get a powerful enough one that will allow me to project video with one of those portable digital projectors (about 130W for the bulb inside), and I want a very clean pure sine wave so that sensitive electrical components are happy with good juice.

Harbor Freight has a 300W (600W peak) pure sine wave inverter for about $100 that looks to be very nice and should fit easily near the battery in the boot.

If I did not think I required the pure sine wave, I could get a much more powerful modified sine wave inverter very cheaply.

 

>>YuccaPatrol,
>>
>>Don't be fooled by wattage ratings. The important thing is amperage. The initial draw of current from a device is the killer. When you know the wattage you require, look for the highest amp rating.


Voltage X Amps = Watts

Kesh420

 

[clip]
>>I want to get a powerful enough one that will allow me to project video with one of those portable digital projectors (about 130W for the bulb inside), and I want a very clean pure sine wave so that sensitive electrical components are happy with good juice.
[clip]

OK, I've got to ask...why do you want to run a portable video projector from your MINI? Thinking of operating your own, portable, drive-in movie theatre?

Maybe you can rig something up to project out of the air intake slot on the S...then you can come up behind people at night and show videos -- or PowerPoint presentations -- into their rear view mirrors. Inquiring minds want to know.

 

Nam Tai Electronics, Inc. makes power inverters.

 

the frightening thing is I actually understand the reference. ...yet more evidence I am actually starting to think a little like 2minis

 

>>>>
>>the frightening thing is I actually understand the reference. ...yet more evidence I am actually starting to think a little like 2minis

Sorry Dave. I was involved in the recount. It drove me crazy.

 

>>Voltage X Amps = Watts
>>
>>Kesh420

That's as a constant, not instantaneous, which is where overload come from.