Inverter

[loplug]

i want to get an inverter for the van it will be used for charging power tool battery's are there any particular manufactures that make them to better standards or is one from ebay ok ?

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Well known, top tier brands such as Victron, Mastervolt etc. are typically more robust and longer lasting, as usual. There are two general types - 'modified sine' (cheaper) and 'true sine' (better). Modified sine output is not sinusoidal at all and some tool chargers will not operate from this waveform and may be damaged. Some ads for the budget models make rather odd and spurious claims or quote nonsensical specs that don't bode well for their survival. Check for compatibility!

 

[Guest111]

go for a dearer one rather than a cheap one,I bought 2 fairly cheap ones and neither of them would work when the van was running,there was nothing wrong with the vans electrics it was the cheap inverters,this problem made them useless as the whole idea was to be able to charge batteries whilst driving between jobs.Buy the best you can afford,it will be cheaper than trial and error.

 

[DPG]

Agree with the above. There are some VERY cheap and nasty inverters out there! Better buying 1 good one than 3 cheap and nasty ones! Daz

 

[ExtremePV]

Yes..agree with comments above.

Important thing to think of is what you want to power from the inverter - how many watts for how long.
A good range of 12v inverters from:
12V DC-AC Sinewave Inverters

Ken

 

[Deleted member 38070]

As above, pure sine wave inverter is the only way, I tried a modified square wave on my dewalt charger, the charger is no more! Chargers do like a nice clean sine wave... Whatever your charging needs (in watts) double it for the inverter spec. Worth putting a relay in fed from ignition 12v so when you turn the vehicle off it turns the inverter off...