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21/1/2019 at 9:38pm
Location: Lancashire
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Sorry to appear ignorant but how does an inverter work?
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21/1/2019 at 11:11pm
Location: Llanidloes Powys
Outfit: Skoda Yeti SEL4x4 +Bailey Ranger 460-4
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It converts 12v to 240v by electrickery
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21/1/2019 at 11:13pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
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Quote: Originally posted by path20 on 21/1/2019
Sorry to appear ignorant but how does an inverter work?
An inverter is a device usually for converting low voltage DC (such as from a 12 volt battery) to 240 volts AC. It can be used to run 240 volt mains equipment from a battery. However, they are very inefficient and consume power from the battery within themselves, even if there is nothing connected to them. I would not recommend using one to run anything very power hungry, especially anything containing a heating element of any kind. If you try it you will kill even a large leisure battery very quickly.
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Colin
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22/1/2019 at 9:05am
Location: Hampshire
Outfit: Hymer Nova S
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What does need to be realised is the usable energy capacity of a typical caravanning battery, is about half that of one mains "unit". Therefore, one's aspirations of using a battery to replicate an EHU has to be very "measured".
They can be fine for overcoming powering very modest energy use AC appliances, where there is no direct 12 VDC solution. I for years powered a small 15" SONY TV via a very good one.
I think the OP if wishing to further explore inverters would be advised to post details of any use they are considering.
There are some remarkably efficient inverters, not all are "very" inefficient, though as posted some can be dreadful.
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22/1/2019 at 9:11pm
Location: Lancashire
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Thank you. I don’t think I will get one.
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23/1/2019 at 4:55pm
Location: Lanarkshire
Outfit: Compass Lynx 340 2
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Hi path20, “I don’t think I will get one.” It all depends on your use for it. I kept an inverter in boot of car which is used solely to charge a pride shopper scooter when travelling to or from sites,” I always start the car before plugging in the inverter and scooter charger, and unplug when stopping for rest.” I have had no trouble doing this way, and the benefits are scooter dose not run out of power when used for long periods, plus I do not need to plug scooter in when on site easing the strain on site power supply. Hope that helps.
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If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.
John
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23/1/2019 at 7:40pm
Location: Lancashire
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I can definitely see the benefit there Jhsw.Thank you.
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23/1/2019 at 8:13pm
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they are invaluable for running or charging small devices that can only be charged or run off of 240 mains when not connected to a hook up..
a small 150 to 200 watt one is cheap and will run a TV or charge a laptop or camera.. well worth having one even if you dont use it much.. for the likes of me who spend a fair bit of time off the mains i could not be without one..
forget larger ones they will simply run the average 12 volt battery down way too quickly..
trog
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23/1/2019 at 11:23pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram
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Quote: Originally posted by jhsw on 23/1/2019
Hi path20, “I don’t think I will get one.” It all depends on your use for it. I kept an inverter in boot of car which is used solely to charge a pride shopper scooter when travelling to or from sites,” I always start the car before plugging in the inverter and scooter charger, and unplug when stopping for rest.” I have had no trouble doing this way, and the benefits are scooter dose not run out of power when used for long periods, plus I do not need to plug scooter in when on site easing the strain on site power supply. Hope that helps.
Terrible waste of energy and shows where an inverter is not the ideal solution for the task in hand.
Converting DC to AC and then back to DC is inefficient.
A simply DC to DC converter will be far more efficient and give a better charge also. The voltage fluctuations and ripple for the scooter charger could cause issues.
Simple DC buck converters to drop voltages down, or boost converters to increase voltages.
Charging batteries through an inverter is usually not recommended.
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25/1/2019 at 7:56pm
Location: Northumberland
Outfit: Knaus Sudwind 550 TK
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Quote: Originally posted by path20 on 22/1/2019
Thank you. I don’t think I will get one.
But still depends WHEN you're going to use it...
Do what us truckers do...
Only use it with the engine running (thinking motorhome here....), like when we have to use a microwave, you're advised to have the engine running due to the shear pull on the trucks batteries - especially on the initial start up of the microwave, there's quite a surge of power required.
And if they're using power even when not in use, fit a breaker switch in front of it...
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Damned if I do...
Damned if I don't!!!!
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Topic: Inverter
