Item# 457210
Item# 457206
Item# 457207
Item# 457205
5 / 5
4.5 / 5
3.5 / 5
Item# 456003
Item# 457208
Item# 45598
4 / 5
Item# 457210
Item# 458001
Item# 457206
Item# 45585
5 / 5
4.6 / 5
4.5 / 5
4 / 5
Item# 457207
Item# 456004
Item# 45595
Item# 45588
3.5 / 5
5 / 5
3 / 5
Item# 457200
Item# 100299
Item# 457205
Item# 458002
5 / 5
3.2 / 5
4 / 5
Item# 458003
Item# 121121
Item# 457212
Item# 456003
Item# 121120
Item# 46003
Item# 457201
Item# 460033
5 / 5
2 / 5
Item# 46003
Item# 456004
Item# 457200
Item# 457210
5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
Item# 458001
Item# 457206
Item# 457208
Item# 45585
4.6 / 5
4.5 / 5
4 / 5
4 / 5
Item# 458002
Item# 457207
4 / 5
3.5 / 5
|
|||
Most power inverters under 300 watts can be connected to a vehicle’s battery through the DC (cigarette lighter) plug on the dashboard. They might also come with jumper-like cables for connecting directly to a battery. Larger units are often hardwired into vehicles, RVs or boats. Inverters normally have one or more standard outlets to power laptops, small-screen TVs, video game players or portable DVD players and other devices. A DC to AC power inverter is great for camping at parks that do not provide electricity. The toaster, blender, and boom box can all still be used. On your boat, you can plug in devices like a digital movie camera to take videos after the camera's battery runs low, or brew up a pot on-board with your coffeemaker.
Inverters that have built-in GFCI protection are advised for powering portable electrical devices outside of the house. Ground fault protection is a feature that instantly turns off the inverter if it gets damp or wet. The inverter then resets, senses the conditions and turns itself back on if the problems have been resolved. The GFCI feature protects the user from electrical shocks and the potential risk of a fire.
Some power inverters have a built-in transfer switch so you can switch from inverter power to utility power when available. This is useful in RVs and boats where shore power is available and when you sometimes want to run from generator power. The transfer switch allows external power to be transferred to appliances automatically. Typically this feature is found on more expensive high-end inverters.
A power inverter is also an essential part of a solar power system. It converts the DC power generated by solar panels and stored in 12 volt batteries to 120 volt AC power suitable for household or industrial use. These systems can be costly, as they often involve additional electrical work and equipment to incorporate the system into a household’s current electrical system.
During a utility outage a power inverter can be used for temporary emergency electricity. Just connect the inverter to your car’s battery and run an extension cord from your car into the house, or if you have a charged spare battery you can connect the power inverter directly. Plug in a radio to tune into important alerts, run essential medical equipment, lights, or whatever else you need that falls within the inverter's power limits.
Whether to use an inverter or a generator depends on the type of load and how often you will need emergency AC power. Generally, an inverter is more economical power alternative to run items under 1000 watts, suitable for small appliances, TVs, VCRs, DVD players and other low load devices. If you plan to operate a refrigerator, freezer, washer, dryer or well system, then a generator is a better choice. If your planned power consumption exceeds 2000 watts, you should choose a generator, as the draw in the battery will rapidly deplete its power.
Power inverters come in many sizes, measured in watts. The amount of wattage you will require depends on the total draw of the devices you'd like to use.
Many appliances and power tools have their wattage rating indicated on the product itself. Wattage rating can also be calculated by using this formula:
Volts (120) x Amps = Watts
To determine if several appliances can be operated at the same time, simply add up their wattage ratings to see if the total falls within the specifications of the power inverter. For example, if you have a two-outlet inverter and will be plugging in 2 devices at once, add up the total wattage of both devices, then add at least 50% more to account for peaks or spikes in the power draw. For example if your DVD player draws 100 watts and your laptop another 100 watts, a minimum 300-watt inverter is recommended.
Make sure the power of the inverter is listed as “continuous”. Some inverters are listed at a certain wattage, but can only draw that wattage for a short period of time (i.e., 5 minutes) and then will shut off, reset themselves and resume functioning. These outages can be frustrating to you and harmful to the device you are powering.
If the item is motor driven, it requires additional start-up (surge) wattage (typically 2-3 times the continuous wattage required) to start the device. For example, a miter saw that runs at 700 watts might require 1400 watts to start up. If your inverter only supplies 1000 watts, you will not be able to start it up. In this case, you would want to select an inverter rated at least 1400 surge watts to handle start-up needs.
Power inverters produce one of two different types of wave output:
Modified sine wave inverters deliver power that is consistent and efficient enough to run most devices adequately. These types of inverters are the most popular and affordable. They are also small and highly efficient.
True sine wave inverters are the most expensive, but they also deliver the most consistent, highest quality wave output. Some sensitive equipment requires a true sine wave, like laptop computers, tool battery chargers, professional audio/video equipment, certain medical devices and variable speed tools. If you aren’t sure if the device you want to use requires a true sine wave or not, call the manufacturer to ask. Any AC device will run on a true sine wave inverter, whether it requires it or not.
| Power Inverters including Inverter Accessories, Inverter Chargers, Modified Sinewave, Pure Sinewave and more from Northern Tool + Equipment. |
