are there any inverters that are better than others, or what is the best inverters to use on our computer and vast system please
Baz421 said
01:24 PM Aug 1, 2015
wandwill wrote:
are there any inverters that are better than others, or what is the best inverters to use on our computer and vast system please
We use a 150W SOFT START Power tech modified wave (square wave) inverter (designed for computers I was told ages ago) for what you describe. Square wave OK as it just charges computer battery these days.
Plendo said
04:45 PM Aug 1, 2015
Wandwill, with modern equipment I would only consider a PURE SINE WAVE inverter, these give you a clean smooth sine wave just like the one you get at home (what the equipment ws designed to run on).
I would not consider anything that did not state clearly that it was Pure Sine Wave.
Phil C said
05:55 PM Aug 1, 2015
Plendo wrote:
Wandwill, with modern equipment I would only consider a PURE SINE WAVE inverter, these give you a clean smooth sine wave just like the one you get at home (what the equipment ws designed to run on).
I would not consider anything that did not state clearly that it was Pure Sine Wave.
Hello all
I can only agree that a pure sine wave is far better than the modified or square wave jobs. I have found that equipment lasts longer with the PSW model. Remember a factor of 10 for the amount of DC current required to run these beasts. If you appliance is say 150w AC then about 15 amps will be drawn from the battery.
Good to hear from you Dave, hope you are well.
madaboutled said
06:59 PM Aug 1, 2015
My 2 cents.... Why would you use an inverter to run a computer??? I'm assuming you mean a laptop, most laptops use between 16 to 19 Volts DC it's better to use a DC charger or adapter (buck converter) to convert 12v up to the required 16 to 19 volt rather than using an inverter which converts the 12v DC frpm your battery system to 240v Ac and then your power supply drops the 240v Ac to the required 16 - 19v DC.
12v DC Laptop chargers are more efficient having less strain on your battery system and cost much less than an inverter.
-- Edited by madaboutled on Saturday 1st of August 2015 07:00:24 PM
I agree, it is a lot better to use a 12v supply for a laptop. I have a pure sine wave inverter and it had trouble charging our laptop even thru it was well rated above the required output.
Actually it also can use 240v input as well It has its limitations but is cheap so many Grey Nomads will flock to buy it I guess. I find that it works well while the voltage is up a bit but not so good if the voltage falls somewhat after charging has finished.
We also use cheap modified square wave 150w and 800w inverters to charge our phones and laptops and other things, eg fan. Have used it for years now before we got the other unit. While I gree the pure sine wave inverters are better if that is all you have, the square wave ones have served me ok except for flourescent lamps. They do not like them !! I also have a quality sine wave inverter so !
There is a lot of disinformation peddled by suppliers of all sorts of gear to get the punters to spend more money. Nothing different in this area or I might point out generators !!
are there any inverters that are better than others, or what is the best inverters to use on our computer and vast system please
We use a 150W SOFT START Power tech modified wave (square wave) inverter (designed for computers I was told ages ago) for what you describe. Square wave OK as it just charges computer battery these days.
Wandwill, with modern equipment I would only consider a PURE SINE WAVE inverter, these give you a clean smooth sine wave just like the one you get at home (what the equipment ws designed to run on).
I would not consider anything that did not state clearly that it was Pure Sine Wave.
Hello all
I can only agree that a pure sine wave is far better than the modified or square wave jobs. I have found that equipment lasts longer with the PSW model. Remember a factor of 10 for the amount of DC current required to run these beasts. If you appliance is say 150w AC then about 15 amps will be drawn from the battery.
Good to hear from you Dave, hope you are well.
My 2 cents.... Why would you use an inverter to run a computer??? I'm assuming you mean a laptop, most laptops use between 16 to 19 Volts DC it's better to use a DC charger or adapter (buck converter) to convert 12v up to the required 16 to 19 volt rather than using an inverter which converts the 12v DC frpm your battery system to 240v Ac and then your power supply drops the 240v Ac to the required 16 - 19v DC.
12v DC Laptop chargers are more efficient having less strain on your battery system and cost much less than an inverter.
-- Edited by madaboutled on Saturday 1st of August 2015 07:00:24 PM
This is what I use to charge my laptop.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Step-Up-Voltage-Charger-Power-10-32V-to-12-35V-6A-DC-DC-Boost-150W-Converter-/271507877662?
Aussie Paul.
More or les what I meant, but for those who just want something to plug & play this might be more suitable....
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/90W-USB-Universal-Notebook-Car-DC-Charger-Adapter-Power-Supply-for-Laptop-12-22V-/171834791954?hash=item280226d812
Hi
This is the 12v laptop charger we use currently.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/100W-Universal-AC-DC-to-DC-Adapter-Inverter-Car-Charger-Power-Supply-for-Laptop-/221527805323?hash=item3394160d8b
Actually it also can use 240v input as well
It has its limitations but is cheap so many Grey Nomads will flock to buy it I guess. 
I find that it works well while the voltage is up a bit but not so good if the voltage falls somewhat after charging has finished.
We also use cheap modified square wave 150w and 800w inverters to charge our phones and laptops and other things, eg fan. Have used it for years now before we got the other unit. While I gree the pure sine wave inverters are better if that is all you have, the square wave ones have served me ok except for flourescent lamps. They do not like them !! I also have a quality sine wave inverter so !
There is a lot of disinformation peddled by suppliers of all sorts of gear to get the punters to spend more money. Nothing different in this area or I might point out generators !!
Jaahn