geeknik

I would just like some opinions on inverters. Mostly brand name, what one would consider the best to buy. Also, how much wattage needed. I am only looking to run a compressor and work lights, power tools when needed. I guess I might need and extra battery and maybe a bigger alt, (grand cherokee one, diff thread). Your thoughts are welcome.

96_xj

I would go down to your local RV center and look at 1500-2000 watt inverters. Run 2 batteries with an isolator and an upgraded alt.

Brand names i am not sure of. We have a 2000 watt inverter in one of the storage bays in the front of our 5th wheel and we have run you name it off of it and it has been fine.

But the RV center is going to be a wealth of information since that is something that they would specialize in.

OverlandZJ

Xantrex is a well respected name.

Your looking for something around 800/1000 watt modified sine inverters.

Pure sine is for operation of expensive electronic gear.

razor02097

to expand that it would be more like gear that uses the input AC to measure things. Like oscilloscopes and certain calibration gear.

Laptops and other "charging" electronics will work on a modified sine wave inverter.

Things that operate on an induction principle like air conditioners and microwaves may not work on a modified sine wave inverter. Some manufacturers actually advertise that their modified sine inverters will so that is another thing to think about if you use that type of equipment

SpacedOutXj

I've been running a black and decker for about a year now. It is 750 Watts and just under 7 amps. No new alternator or battery or anything. It is definitely on the light duty end. It is enough to run a small angle grinder or a small air compressor, very small. I came across a small one that would work for cheap so I nabbed it, but the one I had is just over the threshold of that the inverter can handle. It certainly isnt enough for a welder or anything like that, but all my chargers work fine, TV, had a blender at one point. I'm guessing you'd want a little more power than that but that is my two cents about it, hope it helped.

EUGENE the JEEP

OK , how about on just for campen, lights,radio,small stuff like that without adding alt. and another battrey.what size should that be ? would a 1000 watts work ok ?

razor02097

400-750W is about the highest I would go with a stock setup. If you use higher then 100W make sure it is connected to the battery not through a cigar lighter or something.

geeknik

I definitly want to run something to the battery, and like I said, I want to run a compressor and then maybe a work light and possibly some paower tools. Nothing heavy, just room for growth. I don't want to commit to say a 1000watt job and then down the road realize I need a 2000watt inverter because of some upgrade I did that I just cant fathom yet. Does anyone think 5000watts is overkill?

comancheman

a full 5000watt usage at 12v is guna draw 416amps

volts x amps = watts

say 90amp alt. x 12volts = 1080watts

i put in a second alt. @ 100a and 2 rv batt that add up to 260 amp hours. so a 1200watt inv will run no prob off the alt. or i get 2.6 hours of run time on the batt. alone. a 5000watt inv. woulnt even run for a hour with the vehicle running...

test the draw of the tools you want to use, they will draw more when they start.

razor02097

I don't recall seeing a 5000W inverter in 12V... I'm sure they exist but the place I frequent sells many mobile solutions and the larger inverters usually jump to either 24 or 48V systems. Most of the larger inverters are used to power ambulances and RVs. Even then most opt to have multiple inverters instead of 1 big one.

5000W is definitely overkill. Now only that I bet you look in the fine print it will rate the surge power and not the constant.

1000W will power most small charging units, lamps, large motors (vacuums and compressors) and even a small welder. You wouldn't regret buying a 1000W inverter. If you really want it buy two 1000W. Just put them on their own batteries and upgrade your alt.

geeknik

Ok. That helps a lot. 1000watt, mebe 2 of those. And thanks for the idea about 2 batteries and all. I appreciate all the feedback.

KE7JFF

If you want a good bargin, get a DieHard Inverter from Sears. I have a 500W unit that i got for $35.00 a few years back.