Inverters - what do people use them for?

[Chris & Lenore]

It seems that inverters are a must-have component of most people's electrical systems. They also seem to be the most power-hungry any inefficient device you could connect your battery bank.

What are most people using them for?

Maybe it's because I came from a trailer sailing background - but everything I use runs from 12 volts.
- TV is 12 volt and only draws 1.5 amp (22 inch flat screen)
- cordless drill charges directly from 12 volts
- laptop is 12 volt (9.6volts battery replacement - 800 ma in use)
- all other chargers are 12 volt

I compared AC via an inverter to my 12 volt draw and in most cases the inverter/AC solution drew twice the current.

My biggest challenge was for the computer. As a software developer who wants to "work aboard" I needed a solution that worked for me.
Initially the battery replacement and using the TV as a second monitor was the ticket (2.3 amps).
Now that decent development tools and MS Office is available on the Chromebook, I can do 90 percent of my work on it and "remote" to my other land based machines for the 10 percent. It charges and runs from a USB port at 200 ma once charged - quite acceptable.

I keep getting asked "what kind of inverter I'm putting in" from people who have ones that can cold start a 747.

I just can't figure out what I'd want to plug into one - other than possibly a small microwave (curious what a typical daily draw would be for one).

Help me understand,

Chris

 

[patrickince]

I use mine for a CPAP machine for sleeping at night

 

[pateco]

1200 Watt Inverter

I use it mostly for camping, but I will take it when I go offshore on the boat.

When camping I run a DJ Amp with mixer, a video projector (Movie nights around the campfire), and a commercial blender (great for Rum-Runners and Margaritas)

 

[Dave602]

Keurig coffee machine mostly. The one thing we can do with out is coffee. Keurig is fast and clean. 4 cups is a pretty good draw but the morning motor out from the anchorage generally gets it back up pretty quick

 

[Brian S]

Keurig coffee machine mostly. The one thing we can do with out is coffee. Keurig is fast and clean. 4 cups is a pretty good draw but the morning motor out from the anchorage generally gets it back up pretty quick

Wow, that seems really inefficient. Using an inverter to convert DC to AC, just to essentially warm up a heater to boil water. I do realize that the Keurig has some electronics and pump overhead alongside the heating element, but still… And on further reflection, that Keurig probably has an inverter built in to convert that AC back down to 6v or 12v to power the electronics and the motors...

I drink Keurig coffee every day at work, because it's free, but I prefer my Aeropress with some fine Sumatra coffee at home and on the boat I've found on the boat that it's pretty simple to clean it up, and boil up the water on the butane 1 burner right quick. But I'm also sleeping overnight weekends on a floating pup tent.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

I have charged my handheld vhf on my 400 watt vector inverter.
I've also charged laptops and tablets.



-ot: are you able to print from the chromebook? I've not had success with mine. (newer home wifi printer)

 

[walt]

I compared AC via an inverter to my 12 volt draw and in most cases the inverter/AC solution drew twice the current.

wow... can you give details of the measurements you made?

I have a 150 watt inverter.. charge cell phone, charge batteries for portable GPS and I also use it for my laptop. I have enough excess charge capability that the wasted charge from using a inverter for a laptop doesnt matter much.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

I just can't figure out what I'd want to plug into one - other than possibly a small microwave (curious what a typical daily draw would be for one).

I'm with you there.

When I'm out at anchor, the very last thing I want is a TV staring me in the face. I have incredible scenery around me during the day and at night, the stars put on a show second to none. Watching the bioluminescence from the waves lapping against the hull is also trance inducing. If I ever reallllllllly get bored, I'll go argue with the crew.

To feed the coffee addiction, our favorite is a French press .......... no AC required.

No work is done on the boat when we're away .................. so no AC there.

The only other consideration is the microwave, but it's not worth the installation of a 1200W inverter and an extra battery. We'll stick to using it only with shore power.

For recharging any batteries of odd DC voltages, a little 75W plug in inverter serves the purpose.

When we're away, it's to get away .................. not re-invent the house on water.

 

[gettinthere]

Flatscreen with antenna booster

Blender

Shop vac/Dustbuster

Battery charging

Printer/Copier/Scanner

Dremel/Grinder/Jig Saw

Heating Pad

 

[Bill1565]

I use mine for a CPAP machine for sleeping at night

I Bought a 12 volt cord for my cpap. Not easy to find, but they are out there on the web.

 

[CloudDiver]

I'm keeping all this stuff in mind while I prepare for a complete electrical system overhaul during my winter refit.
- many of the devices people mention above are actually 12V operation, you just need to locate the correct adapter/cord for 12V use, like laptops, tablets, and even LED TVs
- I LOVE my Keurig at home and in the office, but on a boat I'll put in the work to boil the water and use a French Press.
- I'm pretty anti-microwave for cooking in general, I just don't think these beasts have a place on a sailboat unless you have a larger vessel with a dedicated Genny, and in that case you proab also have A/C and a washer/dryer. For those interested there is an Aussie company that actually makes 12V microwaves, but they are pricey.

In general, if the device is not 12V capable I am leaving it ashore. On the off chance I need 120V power I will lug my Honda EU2000i along, only about 40 pounds and runs for 6 hours at 75% load, .8 gal of gas. It has enough amps to turn over the compressor of small portable AC unit, very versatile.

 

[Chris & Lenore]

wow... can you give details of the measurements you made? I have a 150 watt inverter.. charge cell phone, charge batteries for portable GPS and I also use it for my laptop. I have enough excess charge capability that the wasted charge from using a inverter for a laptop doesnt matter much.

One I remember was a friends 22 inch AC flatscreen. Can't remember the inverter size or brand (other than it being a true sine wave type). DC draw was a little over 4 amps. My 22 inch flatscreen which runs from 12 volts draws about 1.5 amps. It's not an expensive TV - just one that runs from a "wall wart" vs 110.

My Dell laptop on inverter draws close to 2 amps when fully charged I.e. "Just running". I replaced the six cell battery with an empty shell containing a 9.6 volt regulator running from 12 volts for a "just running" draw of 900 ma.

Chris

 

[Sumner]

I use mine for a CPAP machine for sleeping at night

Have you checked to see if it will run on 12 volts? Mine runs on both and use the 12 volt cord on the boat.

The only thing I use an inverter for is charging some power tool batteries since it is a pure sine wave and does that well. I think I only used it once for the charging the batteries in 7+ weeks so 99.9% of the time not using an inverter.

I agree that since you can find about anything you need that runs on 12 volts why use an inverter. From what I've read unless you use a pure sine wave on a microwave the cook times will go up quite a bit if using say modified sine wave inverter. I think an inverter/microwave combo is going to suck up some pretty good amounts of juice from the batteries if you use it much and would be a costly install. I use a microwave here in the boat yard everyday where I have 110 but wouldn't try to use it underway even though the boat is wired for that due to the power draw.

Sumner

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[Chris & Lenore]

I have charged my handheld vhf on my 400 watt vector inverter. I've also charged laptops and tablets. -ot: are you able to print from the chromebook? I've not had success with mine. (newer home wifi printer)

You can buy printers that you can print to via wifi. I also print via another computer that has the chrome print enabled.

I rarely ever print anymore though.

Hey Mr Bill - are we going to see you at BEER this June?

Chris

 

[Chris & Lenore]

I must admit that I LOVE my Keurig - that might be the reason I need an inverter.
I've used the polycarbonate plunge pots, coffee grinders and such - but I'm getting lazy and the Keurig sure is easy..

Chris

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

wow... can you give details of the measurements you made?

I have a 150 watt inverter.. charge cell phone, charge batteries for portable GPS and I also use it for my laptop. I have enough excess charge capability that the wasted charge from using a inverter for a laptop doesnt matter much.

Maine Sail did a really detailed test of this using an iPad.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

This might make you think twice about the K-cups as being better than the old standard French press.

YOU’RE DESTROYING THE ENVIRONMENT WITH YOUR K-CUP COFFEE AND NESPRESSO PODS

 

[kito]

I was just going to buy a Walmart stainless steel percolator made for campers and stick it on my alcohol stove. It's got to be better than any of that nasty instant coffee.

 

[capta]

We use ours for the coffee maker (cheap drip type), toaster oven, microwave, blender, printer/scanner, 26" flat screen/DVD player and odd items like the heat gun, 1/2" 115 volt drill and soldering gun. Yesterday we used it to cut several lengths of 3/8th inch chain with our angle grinder. Did the job in minutes, whereas a hacksaw would have been a bit more time consuming.
Sometimes we just don't want to crank up the gene, so the inverter is the ticket. Wired directly into ship's power it has a fail safe switch so the gene and the inverter cannot power up the panel at the same time.
As far as using gobs of power, it's rarely on for more than ten minutes (unless we are watching a movie) so it doesn't really use amp HOURS, but minutes. I don't have the specs handy, but the unit itself draws very little power and is actually pretty efficient, so I don't consider it to be that much of a power hog.
We have about 20 amps of charging from our solar panels in bright sunlight and several high power battery chargers from the gene to replenish the batteries. We do not spend any time dockside, so this is the simplest (and quietest) way to have 115 power at the touch of a button, for a few minutes, now and then.

 

[pateco]

I was just going to buy a Walmart stainless steel percolator made for campers and stick it on my alcohol stove. It's got to be better than any of that nasty instant coffee.

I use one of those for camping. Man I love perk coffee. If you find the filters that go with them buy several packages. Perk filters are hard to find nowadays.

I'm down to about 5 filters, and going camping next weekend. I may have to order some online since none of my local grocery stores carry them anymore.