Tested: power invertors
Having a 230 volt supply at the touch of a button is easier than you think
230 volt supply at the touch of button
THERE was a time in the not so distant past when power inverters were both very expensive and had a whiff of the dark arts about them. That’s no longer the case and they are now both affordable and commonplace for leisure activities involving the outdoors and 12v battery power. The aim of this test is to see if it’s possible to use an inverter to power up more than just a laptop or charge a phone. A USB port or auxiliary socket can achieve those, albeit at a slower rate perhaps than a 230V AC supply. Would it be possible to power halogen lights or a power tool such as an angle grinder?
The output range on test is from 600 W to 1100 W, so you can assume they will charge phones and other USB chargeable devices. That said, it’s important to check the USB port is compatible with certain devices such as an iphone. Even with an output as high as 1100 W you’ll quickly learn that appliances which generate heat such as heater fans and hair dryers are not always compatible. If the appliance generates heat it will have a resistive load and these can be too high for continuous
use for some inverters. Also, appliances with powerful motors, such as angle grinders and pressure washer pumps, require initial start-up power higher than their rated (inductive load) consumption, and consequently can’t be used either, as I discovered on test.
Once you begin researching your potential purchase you’ll likely come across the Pure Sine Wave versus Modified Sine Wave question. The answers, for there is more than one, is to match your inverter to the appliances being powered. Pure Sine Wave is a cleaner, smooth supply of electricity with less buzz and interference. That will be important for running a TV for example, or certain electronic devices. Less delicate devices can use the less expensive Modified Sine inverters. As always, check compatibility with your devices and appliances before purchasing. Manufacturer website typically provide downloadable instruction leaflets, so read these before you buy for detailed specs, or call technical support lines if necessary. None of the inverters tested are suitable for positive earth vehicles and most are strictly for 12 volt vehicles only.