Electrical Invertor

on sea · Post by **on sea** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:12 pm

Are these any good, or just a waste of money. I read somewhere they can sap a battery in no time..is this right?

Post by **Ian** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:17 pm

There's a useful, if somewhat technical, discussion here:-

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... t=inverter

on sea · Post by **on sea** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:24 pm

Many thanks Ian.

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 12:30 am

I use a 1200W invertor - enough to power a 700W microwave for a few 5 minute reheat meals, electric drill, soldering iron etc.
A battery will be sapped dependant on what you power with it.
They aren't the most efficient of things - it takes the full 1200W to power the 700W microwave but as long as you're ok with that inefficiency then they're fine.

Oh, and - mine is powereed from the 115A/h leisure battery through jump lead sized cable.

timhum · Post by **timhum** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:09 pm

Hi Dandy'
Wow, that's one motha of an inverter!
Does your leisure battery fit under the bonnet? I would be inclined to fit the inverter next to the battery to keep the losses in the cable low. With those big inverters, they usually have a remote switch to enable it to be turned off and on inside the cab.
I was put off putting a leisure battery inside the van for safety reasons but if you managed to get the it under the bonnet I would have a go myself.
Tim

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:14 pm

Hi Tinhum
Search for Leisure Battery and you'll find all you need to know.

timhum · Post by **timhum** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:48 pm

Hi Francophile 1947,
I sought, found and bought the tray off ebay!
Now to find the battery mentioned, or one that size.

Many thanks,
Tim

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:01 am

timhum wrote:Hi Dandy'
Wow, that's one motha of an inverter!
Does your leisure battery fit under the bonnet? I would be inclined to fit the inverter next to the battery to keep the losses in the cable low. With those big inverters, they usually have a remote switch to enable it to be turned off and on inside the cab.
I was put off putting a leisure battery inside the van for safety reasons but if you managed to get the it under the bonnet I would have a go myself.
Tim

It's a 115A/h battery which squeezes onto a home made tray under the bonnet timhum and the invertor fits under the dash so keeping the cables short. They're also chopped up jump leads so more than capable of taking the strain...........

The whole plot is isolated by a switch fitted where the flare would sit.

timhum · Post by **timhum** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:14 am

Thanks for the pictures, Dandy. Neat rig!
The isolation switch is a good idea with all those amps flying about. I will shamelessly copy that.
Cheers,
Tim