Build your own power-inverter?

Mad Chemist · 07-02-2003, 01:20 PM

How 'bout it? Anybody with electrical know-how think it'd be worth trying to build your own power inverter to have 110V in your vehicle? What would it require?

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Bob_98SR5 · 07-02-2003, 01:24 PM

Mad Chemist,

While I'm not 100% sure, but I think by the time you researched, sourced, and built the thing, you'll have probably gone over the cost to actually purchase one. Some of us here bought an inverter from Sam's Club for about $30.

I finished hooking up my inverter to a fused distribution box (a la Corey w/ advice from just about everyone on this board). I'll probably finish the writeup over the holiday weekend.

Bob

Mad Chemist · 07-02-2003, 02:44 PM

Yeah, I thought that might be the case, but was curious if anyone had thought about giving it a shot.

Robinhood150 · 07-02-2003, 02:58 PM

If dandeman can make an arc welder from a microwave, anything is possible. I don't think it should be too hard, you can probably figure it out from the internet somewhere. It sounds like a typical project one would do in a beginning or intermediate electrical engineering class. It probably won't be cheaper than if you buy one, so you'll have to do it for the fun of it.

midiwall · 07-02-2003, 06:58 PM

At $70 for 1000w, you'd be hard pressed to beat that considering time, the cost of the high-powered SCRs and the case. The case is INCREDIBLY important because in all high powered inverters, it acts as a heatsink. Heat is the worst enemy of going from DC->AC.

But, if you really want a project, then one or more of these may help

http://www.uoguelph.ca/~antoon/circ/555dcac.html

http://www.i4at.org/lib2/inverter.htm

http://www.intersil.com/data/an/AN9611.pdf

http://powerdesigners.com/InfoWeb/forums/conv/

Mark

Mad Chemist · 07-03-2003, 07:58 AM

Thanks for the links Mark. I ended up buying a coleman 400/800 W at Target for 30 bucks. It gets me in the door for cheap, and is good enough for running my laptop and speakers- I'm planning on watching "Spaceballs" while camping this weekend.

midiwall · 07-03-2003, 01:29 PM

LOL! There ya' go man!

I got my 1000/2000 wired in last weekend and have "confirmed"

that it drives the blender Just Fine!

Have fun!

Ravenslair · 07-03-2003, 06:44 PM

http://www.aaroncake.net/circuits/inverter.htm

Weasy2k · 07-03-2003, 11:12 PM

any good online places to buy some high powered inverters? i have a 160 one but its not good enough....

midiwall · 07-03-2003, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Weasy2k
any good online places to buy some high powered inverters? i have a 160 one but its not good enough....

Dunno about online, but do are there "warehouse stores" in Canada like Sam's Club or CostCo? That's where a lot of great deals are to be found fo stuff like this. I got my 1000watt (continuous!) there for US $70.

Weasy2k · 07-04-2003, 06:44 AM

oh yea forgot about costco....should check them out...thanks!

07-02-2003, 02:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mad Chemist Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (0) [OP] Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 2,858	Yeah, I thought that might be the case, but was curious if anyone had thought about giving it a shot. __________________ -David '98 4Runner: SAW/OME lift, TJM bumper, Warn M8000 winch, Hayden tranny cooler, Trail Carnage front and belly skid plates, PIAA fogs, Rock lights, 33" MT's on Tech1 Rockcrawler rims, Lars sway bar discos, Sonoran bumpstops and rear bumper, RB 1" body lift, Daystar front bumpstops '73 FJ40: 327 SBC, York, Dual Batteries, custom tire carrier, Corbeau Baja SS bucket seats, Bestop top. TLCA#14428

07-02-2003, 02:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
Robinhood150 Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: May 2002 Location: Wandering around Phoenix Posts: 6,033	If dandeman can make an arc welder from a microwave, anything is possible. I don't think it should be too hard, you can probably figure it out from the internet somewhere. It sounds like a typical project one would do in a beginning or intermediate electrical engineering class. It probably won't be cheaper than if you buy one, so you'll have to do it for the fun of it. __________________ Steve. '93 4Runner V6 Auto 4x4 Robinhood's Lair. \|\| Gettin' Off 4wd Club member Lots for sale:5.29 ARB IFS third member... Click Sierra Club policy: [A reason to close trails] ...Physical soil damage, often readily visible, resulting in: a. Erosion, causing soil loss and damage to stream banks, streams, and fish habitat... Lesson...Stay on the TRAIL!

07-02-2003, 06:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
midiwall Sponsoring Member Vendor Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Seattleish, WA Posts: 9,048	At $70 for 1000w, you'd be hard pressed to beat that considering time, the cost of the high-powered SCRs and the case. The case is INCREDIBLY important because in all high powered inverters, it acts as a heatsink. Heat is the worst enemy of going from DC->AC. But, if you really want a project, then one or more of these may help http://www.uoguelph.ca/~antoon/circ/555dcac.html http://www.i4at.org/lib2/inverter.htm http://www.intersil.com/data/an/AN9611.pdf http://powerdesigners.com/InfoWeb/forums/conv/ Mark __________________ ~ Mark '96 4Runner Limited S/C MI - 370cc injectors, Air! horns, Airaid MIT, ATS A-arms, 285/75/R16 BFG MTs, Bored TB, Brembo slotted, Cobra 75 WXST, Deckplate, Downey headers, Hayden cooler, IPT valve body, Level 10 torque convertor, Meanstreak exhaust, OME/OME rears, On-board PC (XM, Nav, WiFi, etc), Port 'n Polish, Remote Start, SAW fronts, Hilux console, SMT-5, Stubb's sliders, Supra MAF, TJM-17, 2.0" pulley, Viair 450c, Walbro 190, Weasy2k cams

07-03-2003, 07:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
Mad Chemist Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (0) [OP] Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 2,858	Thanks for the links Mark. I ended up buying a coleman 400/800 W at Target for 30 bucks. It gets me in the door for cheap, and is good enough for running my laptop and speakers- I'm planning on watching "Spaceballs" while camping this weekend. __________________ -David '98 4Runner: SAW/OME lift, TJM bumper, Warn M8000 winch, Hayden tranny cooler, Trail Carnage front and belly skid plates, PIAA fogs, Rock lights, 33" MT's on Tech1 Rockcrawler rims, Lars sway bar discos, Sonoran bumpstops and rear bumper, RB 1" body lift, Daystar front bumpstops '73 FJ40: 327 SBC, York, Dual Batteries, custom tire carrier, Corbeau Baja SS bucket seats, Bestop top. TLCA#14428

07-03-2003, 01:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
midiwall Sponsoring Member Vendor Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Seattleish, WA Posts: 9,048	LOL! There ya' go man! I got my 1000/2000 wired in last weekend and have "confirmed" that it drives the blender Just Fine! Have fun! __________________ ~ Mark '96 4Runner Limited S/C MI - 370cc injectors, Air! horns, Airaid MIT, ATS A-arms, 285/75/R16 BFG MTs, Bored TB, Brembo slotted, Cobra 75 WXST, Deckplate, Downey headers, Hayden cooler, IPT valve body, Level 10 torque convertor, Meanstreak exhaust, OME/OME rears, On-board PC (XM, Nav, WiFi, etc), Port 'n Polish, Remote Start, SAW fronts, Hilux console, SMT-5, Stubb's sliders, Supra MAF, TJM-17, 2.0" pulley, Viair 450c, Walbro 190, Weasy2k cams

07-02-2003, 01:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bob_98SR5 Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: May 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 10,036	Mad Chemist, While I'm not 100% sure, but I think by the time you researched, sourced, and built the thing, you'll have probably gone over the cost to actually purchase one. Some of us here bought an inverter from Sam's Club for about $30. I finished hooking up my inverter to a fused distribution box (a la Corey w/ advice from just about everyone on this board). I'll probably finish the writeup over the holiday weekend. Bob

07-03-2003, 06:44 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ravenslair Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 3	Another good site to check out http://www.aaroncake.net/circuits/inverter.htm

07-03-2003, 11:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
Weasy2k Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 966	any good online places to buy some high powered inverters? i have a 160 one but its not good enough.... __________________ -Johnny --------------------------------- '96 Taco V6 4WD Auto with 262 S2S Cams New 5VZ-FE & 3VZ-E Cams available 5vz-fe Stock CR FI Pistons NOW available! www.sea2skytuning.com Plug and Play EMS! Perfect Power, Hydra EMS, Arias, Pauter, Manley Performance Dealer....

07-04-2003, 06:44 AM	#11 (permalink)
Weasy2k Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 966	oh yea forgot about costco....should check them out...thanks! __________________ -Johnny --------------------------------- '96 Taco V6 4WD Auto with 262 S2S Cams New 5VZ-FE & 3VZ-E Cams available 5vz-fe Stock CR FI Pistons NOW available! www.sea2skytuning.com Plug and Play EMS! Perfect Power, Hydra EMS, Arias, Pauter, Manley Performance Dealer....

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