400w Inverter usefullness?...-gctid366360

[Guest]

What could a 40w inverter effectively power? Right now, a tv is all I would really used it for or maybe light stuff like cell phone power. Could it handle a couple of fans?

[Guest]

Gilligan wrote:
What could a 40w inverter effectively power? Right now, a tv is all I would really used it for or maybe light stuff like cell phone power. Could it handle a couple of fans?

I use one on my boat that plugs into a cigarette lighter to power a small fan and a lamp with an energy efficient bulb on deck.

[706jim]

The 400 watt inverter can actually power quite a bit of stuff. Fans require very little power to run. I use a 150 watt inverter on my boat, partially because it can operate from a simple cigarette lighter socket without overheating or blowing the fuse.

[Guest]

I am using one on my boat to power my laptop for nav. I guess the only real issue is to make sure you have a way of replenishing/charging your batteries.

[Guest]

Good info. I was looking into this too as an interim fix....I should replace my charger, and would like to add a wired inverter. Just not in the budget this year. :greedy_dollars:

Looks like this will work to keep a netbook charged.

[Guest]

Mike, you referred to a 400 watt unit in your subject but referred to a 40 watt unit in your post. I'm assuming you are talking about 400. I have one as a backup. It powers the fridge, laptop, and a few lights. Its good as a backup but that's about it. Nothing beats my 2500 watt continuous with 3 group 29 batteries. If you were going for an inverter, you can never complain about too much capacity; but too little capacity can make life on the boat a royal pain. Just my 2 cents...

[Guest]

Astral Blue wrote:
Mike, you referred to a 400 watt init in your subject but referred to a 40 watt unit in your post. I'm assuming you are talking about 400. I have one as a backup. It powers the fridge, laptop, and a few lights. Its good as a backup but that's about it. Nothing beats my 2500 watt continuous with 3 group 29 batteries. If you ware going for an inverter, you can never complain about too much capacity; but too little capacity can make life on the boat a royal pain. Just my 2 cents...

my continued stupidity... its a 400w

[BLCarl]

I played with inverters for a while.

I kept getting bigger ones to do more. A 12V fan, 12V power supply for my laptop is better and more efficent than the converson without all the cords and adapters.

My next quest was to make everything 12V and install 12V power outlets in key places. Now even on the driveway all the lighting and acessories are 12v and the 110V charger keeps them going. My 1500 W battery sucking inverter is still in place but seldom used. I use the 2K Yamaha generator when I need the microwave or to top off the batteries after a night on the hook.

My inverter use caused me to run the main engine for hours to recoupe the power consumed in a short time. I was always distracted by battery concern, they were never up to good levels .

A small inverter could be handy at times but I wouldn't go much farther than that

[Guest]

BLCarl wrote:
I played with inverters for a while.

I kept getting bigger ones to do more. A 12V fan, 12V power supply for my laptop is better and more efficent than the converson without all the cords and adapters.

My next quest was to make everything 12V and install 12V power outlets in key places. Now even on the driveway all the lighting and acessories are 12v and the 110V charger keeps them going. My 1500 W battery sucking inverter is still in place but seldom used. I use the 2K Yamaha generator when I need the microwave or to top off the batteries after a night on the hook.

My inverter use caused me to run the main engine for hours to recoupe the power consumed in a short time. I was always distracted by battery concern, they were never up to good levels .

A small inverter could be handy at times but I wouldn't go much farther than that

In the long run, I think I agree with you.

[Guest]

BLCarl wrote:
I played with inverters for a while.

I kept getting bigger ones to do more. A 12V fan, 12V power supply for my laptop is better and more efficent than the converson without all the cords and adapters.

My next quest was to make everything 12V and install 12V power outlets in key places. Now even on the driveway all the lighting and acessories are 12v and the 110V charger keeps them going. My 1500 W battery sucking inverter is still in place but seldom used. I use the 2K Yamaha generator when I need the microwave or to top off the batteries after a night on the hook.

My inverter use caused me to run the main engine for hours to recoupe the power consumed in a short time. I was always distracted by battery concern, they were never up to good levels .

A small inverter could be handy at times but I wouldn't go much farther than that

I agree running the engine to charge the battery bank is probably not practical. I have three group 29 batteries connected to my inverter and use the batteries as storage devices. The three group 29 batteries will give me enough power to run the fridge, etc. for several days. I would then plug into shore power and let my charger work its magic. By the time I'm back on my boat for the next cruise, all of the batteries are charged and topped off, ready to for another few days on the hook.

[dktool]

I use a 400 watt for charging various things and for powering a small crock pot.

It is big enough for my needs.