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Topic: 180-watt Pure Sine Inverter - $79 at Amazon (Read 551 times) previous topic - next topic

180-watt Pure Sine Inverter - $79 at Amazon

We have installed a 1600-watt pure-sine inverter in the coach but not (yet) wired it into any wall sockets (or the micro-wave); mostly because my idea of fun does not include running wires from the vacuum cleaner area back to the bed. Until I brace myself for that (or talk the DW into it) I'll just throw money at it....

We have been using cigarette-lighter inverters ($20 or $30 each) in the cars to power/charge various things and one of them gave up its ghost so I decided to look for a suitable replacement. Virtually all of these devices produce a "modified sine wave" output that resembles a sine wave only in the imaginations of the engineers that designed them. But I have noticed more-and-more "pure sine" inverters of low output out there and thought I'd see if I could find one that is under 200 watts and suitable for a cigarette-lighter plug.

Sure enough, I found one for about $80. It's not as small as the usual such devices but it's in a nicely built finned and fan-cooled aluminum box; looks like a small (8"x3") version of out bigger inverter, actually. Comes with both a cigarette-lighter plug and alligator clamps and the external wires look big enough to handle the current load.

Built (or at least imported) by AIMS Power and offered for sale at several sites (including The Inverter Store and Amazon), one of these would not be unreasonable under the dash to run chargers, LED television sets (most of these draw under 100 watts), smaller electric drills, etc. Specs say 0.38A current draw at idle which is not too shabby. There is an on/off switch.

Link: 180 Watt Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter

This will not run a microwave (typically they draw 1,000 watts) but if your in-dash sound system requires that you have your inverter on while you listen to it, this might replace that with less draw.

The list of things that annoy me includes windy days when I want to bicycle, calm days when I want to sail, and devices that will charge up an iPhone but not an Android phone (which outnumber iPhones and which *I* prefer). But you can just use the USB plug on this inverter to charge anything that will charge up via USB (lots of things, nowadays).

Seems worth it at about $100 less than other pure-sine inverters of equivalent power ratings.

Craig

Re: 180-watt Pure Sine Inverter - $79 at Amazon

Reply #1 –
Craig, In Montana my small inverter that powers the laptop when we are traveling crapped out.  I bought an Inverter just like this one at a Walmart of all places, think it was about 80 bucks, works flawlessly except for some fan noise.
Gary B

Re: 180-watt Pure Sine Inverter - $79 at Amazon

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Gary Bouland –
Craig, In Montana my small inverter that powers the laptop when we are traveling crapped out.  I bought an Inverter just like this one at a Walmart of all places, think it was about 80 bucks, works flawlessly except for some fan noise.
Gary B

Gary,

How about an accessory plug 12V cord for your laptop? Will charge and run it at the same time. Super inexpensive too.

Pierce

 

Re: 180-watt Pure Sine Inverter - $79 at Amazon

Reply #3 –
Pierce, That would work, I was in the habit of using a small inverter that is right at the passenger side front panel.  Old habits die hard. The inverter that died was bought in about 1972 or 73 and when I was fired from an insurance company I liberated it so my per mileage cost for inverters is very low. :)
Gary B