Power Inverter
- Thread starter bboy850
- Start date
togwt
The Old Grey Whistle Test
It might help us evaluate this product if you supply details/spec
JonM
JonM
I'm not familiar with the particular inverter you mentioned. But the manufacturer's specs say it will do 1200 watts peak and 600 continuous.
The PC pulls 3.7 amps at 120 volts. This equates to 444 watts. The PC will pull more current at startup than it does once it gets going and I'm not sure if the 3.7 amp rating is continuous or peak. My guess is it's peak. I don't like to run things like inverters to their engineered limits, but it sounds like you have some room to spare. It should work fine.
The PC pulls 3.7 amps at 120 volts. This equates to 444 watts. The PC will pull more current at startup than it does once it gets going and I'm not sure if the 3.7 amp rating is continuous or peak. My guess is it's peak. I don't like to run things like inverters to their engineered limits, but it sounds like you have some room to spare. It should work fine.
Here's the link to the power inverter: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=671921&CatId=237
I tried using a 400 Watt Power inverter that I got from sams club and it will run but not very fast. It has just enough power to apply wax. I think that most alternators don't even produce that much power so my conclusion is that it is not possible to power a PC with a power inverter on most cars. If you have a large truck or something like that then it may be different.
joburnet said:
A 400 Watt inverter is not sufficient to power a PC which needs 440 Watts. You can run a much larger inverter with just a stock alternator. So your problem is not the alternator, it is your inverter.
Most stock alternators can produce about 100 amps. It is true that they will not produce this much at idle, and it is also true that some of the power that the alternator produces is required to run the electrical systems and ignition of the vehicle. However there is still plenty of power available to run an inverter which powers a 3.7 amp PC. The only exception to this is if you're trying to run a 500 watt stereo system at max volume, your A/C, your headlights, etc., all at the same time. In that case you might not have enough power available, but for most instances, you will.
Didn't see this until just now so it's kinda late but this needs a response.
It's true that some alternators produce about 100 amps but I know that mine is only about 80 amps as I have a mazda 626 that I was trying to use this with. That amperage is at 12V and not 120V therefore the wattage produced is 960 Watts MAX.
Now I'm not sure what engine speed this is at but conservatively I would guess 3000 RPM which is about the speed of the engine at 55mph. So at idle the alternator is probably putting out about 1/3 of rated power or 320 Watts.
So if the power I'm putting out of the alternator at idle is 320 Watts then the problem is not the inverter it's the alternator.
I haven't tried but I believe that if I got a more powerful inverter then I would still have the same problem.
I'm pretty sure that my figures aren't very accurate but it gives an idea of what's actually happening. If anyone has a larger inverter that they are using that powers the PC well then I would be interested to hear about it. I'm sure that it would work better using a truck or more powerful alternator that puts out better then 100 Amps at 12 Volts.
It's true that some alternators produce about 100 amps but I know that mine is only about 80 amps as I have a mazda 626 that I was trying to use this with. That amperage is at 12V and not 120V therefore the wattage produced is 960 Watts MAX.
Now I'm not sure what engine speed this is at but conservatively I would guess 3000 RPM which is about the speed of the engine at 55mph. So at idle the alternator is probably putting out about 1/3 of rated power or 320 Watts.
So if the power I'm putting out of the alternator at idle is 320 Watts then the problem is not the inverter it's the alternator.
I haven't tried but I believe that if I got a more powerful inverter then I would still have the same problem.
I'm pretty sure that my figures aren't very accurate but it gives an idea of what's actually happening. If anyone has a larger inverter that they are using that powers the PC well then I would be interested to hear about it. I'm sure that it would work better using a truck or more powerful alternator that puts out better then 100 Amps at 12 Volts.
Just saw this thread at Fatwallet. They have a 500W inverter available, not sure if it'll be enough to power a PC though.
http://www.fatwallet.com/t/18/431501
"Sams Club B&M has a two pack of 95 watt power inverters for $18.87. Plugs into cig lighter. Also, 500 watt power inverter for $28.87- plugs into cig lighter or direct to battery. Dual plugs. Both made by Vector."
http://www.fatwallet.com/t/18/431501
"Sams Club B&M has a two pack of 95 watt power inverters for $18.87. Plugs into cig lighter. Also, 500 watt power inverter for $28.87- plugs into cig lighter or direct to battery. Dual plugs. Both made by Vector."