saw a couple of these beig used in the camping mods, how are they hooked up? ARe they expensve, and would one from wal-mart be a good choice?

 

I've been through two already... and I love them. My first was a coleman 800W continous. Good inverter, just too little power. Im now running a coleman 1200W continuous inverter. Love it. Mine is hardwired to a junction block which is hardwired to my batttery.... give me a second and i'll give you a schematic.

 

heres the schematic

 

inverters are cool. BUT beware there is a HUGE im talking HUGE diffrance between entry level walmart and top of the line inverters.

Be realistic about how much power you need and get the best one you can afford in that range.

least that would be my advise.

ive had 3 or 4 over the years and generally keep upping the wattage and quality of each.

My most recent version was a Prosine http://www.majorpower.com/xantrex/prosine.html

http://www.invertersrus.com/

 

I use this one to run my PS2, laptop, air compressor, camcorder and any other accessory that I want to. I can only run 2 things at the same time because I only have 2 plugs. It works just fine for these purposes. It's wired directly to the battery with a single fuse block in between at the battery just in case of a short. Never let me down yet and I'm nothing but happy with it.

http://www.webzone.us/audio/product....7&cat=0&page=1

 

well if you stay in the springs, i can help wire up anything you need.

 

Heres the inverter i run:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=47127

 

I have the 400 watt inverter from target. Its not the best, but for small loads it gets the job done. I don't remember what it cost but i think it was between 40-70 dollars. Hopefully I'll get a big hoss one of these days.

 

all i am talking about is running an electric blanket in the winter, will this drain my battery too low if i run it say 12 hrs?

 

i definatley think i will take you up on this offer, i also want to wire in a cb, i take it you could do that too?

 

i haven't a clue when it comes to elctical shiat

 

an electric blanket will drain your battery in no time. You need to add a deep cycle battery, but even that would drain out pretty quick I would think...Anyone confimr or deny this? I'm no expert...just remember from my VW camper that heating devices drain very, very fast....

 

you might check the blanket... woudlnt surprise me if its a 12 volt device anyway with a converter on the cord. so if you cut the end off you could wire it directly onto the 12 v system.

in generall you will kill a car battery in a matter of hrs (2.. 3 tops) with a eblanket

 

van7559 are you going to be in a tent or are you sleeping in your vehicle ? The reason that I ask is that we use an electric blanket and we also have a sleeping bag for 2 that is rated at 30 below zero. We have been out camping in Northern Maine when it has been down below 0 and we only had to turn the blanket on for a little bit in the AM just to cut the chill in the Runner. If you are going to be sleeping in your truck with a shell on the back and it is faily well insulated the bag will more than likely be almost enough. With a deep cycle battery the little bit that you may have to turn it on will be enough to keep you warm and not kill your battery. It also make a difference on what type of electric blanke that you get. Cheap is NOT always the best. Make sure that you look for one that specifically list it as a low amp draw blanket and that will also help to keep the drain on your battery down to a minimum . Hope this helps !

 

Good thread here
What have you run off it so far?
I have to ask because I have been looking at this inverter, and I wan't to keep the $$ around $200

Those PROsine converters look pricy which one did you get and how much?

lockNgo

 

So far ive ran:

1) a shop vac and a shop light (same time)
2) a 32" tv, a halogen lamp, and an air mattress pump (same time)
3) drill, shop light, and sawzall

thats about the biggest loads so far... ive ran a dorm fridge off of it too, but it didnt really phase it... i really like my inverter...

 

Hey thats not bad, and that sounds like something I would use it for also. last year during the 'storms' we lost power for a few days and I was thinking 'If I only had some power!" but I didn't want to lug a generator around with me.

I know what I want for Christmas

Dear Santa................

 

I can figure anything out lol.
you have a garage? i might ask for a return of the favor in getting my lift on ahha

 

An electric blanket actually doesn't draw a lot of power unless you have it on "toast" setting. I use deep cycles to run a trolling motor for 8-10 hours during tournaments and they draw a heck of a lot more current than a heating blanket would from a battery. Check the label on the blanket for it's power consumption. I'd guess that a decent deep cycle would last you a few nights. Parallel 2 deep cycles and you'll be set. Just be sure to fully recharge ASAP to extend the life and capacity of the batteries.

Instead of a heating blanket, try a hot babe instead!

 

Here're some previous threads on YT that may help...

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/power-inverter-35043/
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/power-converter-18903/
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/vector-1000-watt-inverter-69-a-12587/

I run a 1000/2000 watt inverter that I got from CostCo for $69. I mention it in the 3rd thread above.