| Author | Message | ||
| Wayne Cooksey (Starliner58)
Registered Member Username: Starliner58 Post Number: 4 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 72.20.92.220 Rating: N/A |
I need some help deciding which inverter to get. I have been advised true sine wave only. Could use some input from expereinced full timers or frequent inverter users. Wayne | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 81 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.106.117 Rating: N/A |
I just bought one of these for our class "b".... 2000 Watt Continuous/4000 Watt Surge Power Inverter 92464 manual A customer at the store said he was using one in his RV, and claimed it powered the rooftop AC unit just fine as long as the RV engine was running. I haven't had a chance to wire it up yet, but I'll post the event here when I do. For under $150? Even if it only runs the microwave and TV, it's still worth the bucks! (the guy claimed it ran everything - computer included, without a glitch) | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 119 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 63.233.40.103 Rating: N/A |
I bought a tiny one from Harbor Freight for my house refrig. while traveling,seems like I paid 39.00 for it on sale,that was two years ago,& it does a fine job | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 187 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 68.159.94.209 Rating: N/A |
I read thru Phred Tinseth's mussings & learned a lot. My dad is struggling with all the info & has read it 4 times. Each time a little more sinks in. He never realized there was so much to inverters & battery care. http://www.phrannie.org/phredex.html There is a lot more to inverters than "just grab a cheap Harbor Freight one & be done with it". While this may be true for some, it does not consider your needs/ wants. Phred Tinseth is very knowlegable & has written lots of articles fot RVing magazines. After reading his articles, you will know more about inverters. How are you planning to use your coach? What do you need the inverter for? running the computer while boondocking? running an A/C while riding down the road? in place of a generator? Your needs/ wants will dictate what you should get. | ||
| Edward J. Sommers (Sommersed)
Registered Member Username: Sommersed Post Number: 21 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 148.78.245.13 Rating: N/A |
I'm a full time boondocker. I run the fridge, TV, Sat TV tuner, radio and XM sat receiver, Computer and Starband sat receiver, and a microwave. I have never owned a true sine wave inverter. Ed | ||
| JR Lynch (Njt5047)
Registered Member Username: Njt5047 Post Number: 44 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 69.132.238.127 Rating: N/A |
I'm with Ed. Using a Trace DR2424 modified sine wave inverter/charger and it runs an LCD TV, satellite decoder, laptop, any electrical appliance such as hairdryer, microwave and lighting. I use LP for fridge, range, and hot water (fridge and hot water will do 110 or LP). It may be that true sine wave inverters are better...but, depending on your use, a modified sine wave will do almost anything you need for considerably less $$. I've read that cell phones don't charge correctly on mod sine inverters...I charge mine on 12V anyway. That works. I plug them into the unused TV amp lighter plug. You may consider what you plan to operate that requires true sine wave and make a decision based on actual use. There are probably some high-tech gadgets that won't do mod sine power?? Been using the inverter for 2 years and cannot find any issues to complain about. Best, JR | ||
| Tom Caffrey (Pvcces)
Registered Member Username: Pvcces Post Number: 993 Registered: 5-2001 Posted From: 65.74.70.16 Rating: N/A |
There are a few clocks, a few chargers and reportedly, some laser printers that don't operate on modified sine wave properly. With chargers, it pays to stay around them for a while after you use one for the first time to see if it's going to overheat on that kind of power. Motors are quieter and slightly more efficient on sine wave power, but sine wave inverters are slightly less efficient than the others. The net effect may be nearly a wash. Dial type timers on microwaves work fine; the touchpad timers can have trouble on MSW. By the way, someone has referred to the MSW as modified square wave, but the manufacturers don't want to call it that. Good luck. Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576 Suncatcher Ketchikan, Alaska | ||
| Geoff (Geoff)
Registered Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 899 Registered: 12-2002 Posted From: 71.211.121.163 Rating: |
A lot of the older campgrounds only have 20 and 30 amp service, and when it is crowded you are lucky to be able to run one, much less two roof airs. If you have a Trace SW (pure sine wave) inverter it locks into the grid sine wave and supplements the incoming power so that you don't trip the campground circuit breaker. I have often been in this situation and the SW keeps two 15,000 btu airs going with the inverter kicking in when the compressor surge overloads the campground power. It all boils down to money-- how much are you willing to spend on an inverter? A MSW that you have to plug into each time you use will get you by, a MSW that hardwires into an electrical fuse box is better, one with a built in 3-stage battery charger is better yet, but a pure sine wave with automatic switching, battery charging, power sharing, automatic generator start, and a host of digital readouts and controls I won't get into here is the best. To me, it is better to get the best inverter and just sit back and enjoy. Oh, and mine will run the front roof air off the alternator when driving with no problem. --Geoff '82 RTS AZ w/ Trace SW2512MC inverter | ||
| Bill Keller (Bill_k)
Registered Member Username: Bill_k Post Number: 1 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 71.31.78.230 Rating: |
Geoff: mine also run the a/c going down the road and it is a m/S. | ||
| Wayne Cooksey (Starliner58)
Registered Member Username: Starliner58 Post Number: 5 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 72.20.92.9 Rating: N/A |
Thanks to all that answered. Lots of help. I am leaning toward the prosine 3.0 at sunelectric. Again many thanks. Wayne | ||
| Marylou Fritch
Unregistered guest Posted From: 208.114.191.31 Rating: N/A |
We have a Heart modified sine wave inverter to power our rural home. It runs everything fine except the 15" LCD TV which we just bought. After 15 - 30 minutes the picture whites out. This has happened with a DVD and also viewing photos from a digital camera. Does anyone have an explanation and also is the only solution stacking a pure sine wave inverter or is there something cheaper? | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 95 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.107.67 Rating: N/A |
Marylou Fritch - Just get a small pure sine wave inverter for those specific items. |
