I have a 1250 watt inverter I took out of my last RV. I need a small inverter to run a laptop or lcd tv (400 watt?)in my new pop-up. Will the large inverter drain the battery faster than a small one - if the load is the same on either? Is it worth purchasing a smaller inverter, or should I just hook up the large one?
Thanks
2008 FleetwoodE4
2005 F-150 with mods
2006 Can-Am Outlander Max
It will take slightly more current to run the larger one, but nothing I'd call significant. By the way, if this is an MSW, you may have interference in the TV or the laptop brick may get hot.
It should not drain the battery significantly faster than a smaller one. It might even do better as the larger size will take longer to heat up and will dissipate heat faster requiring less power to keep it cool.
J
03 Ram 1500 Quad Cab with Hemi 5.7, HD tow package, K&N Cold Air, B&W Companion + Ball, Prodigy,
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My 1800 watt prosine draws 1 or 2 amps at idle. The specs on yours should say the draw at idle. Don't buy a smaller inverter unless the idle spec is significantly better. There is no general rule about size and draw at idle.
2001 F150 SuperCrew 5.4 Lariat Offroad 4x4 Tow Package 4.10 Truetrac
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
12K SuperGlide, KGE3000Ti 2.3kw rated 2.6kw max
Frank's voltage booster, Prosine 1800 powered by 4 GC2 batteries
A large inverter can draw 2 amps whevever it is on. That is 24 watts. A 400 W inverter might only dray 1 amp or 0.8 amps, less than 12 watts. If the inverter has a fan, and it does not shut off when the inverter is cold, then it will draw even more power.
When I am just watching TV and using the laptop, a 300 watt inverter works great! My 1,500 watt inverter/charger will use 1-2 amps more with the same load(TV and laptop). Many times I just don't care to save the few watts, but sometimes I will take time to change the inverter so I will not need to run the generator as much.
Fred.
Money can't buy happiness but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche or Country Coach!
Yes the "Idle" current is higher on a larger inverter.. But to be honest, I think I'd rather sink the money into a 2nd (or 3rd or 4th) battery than into a 2nd inverter.. Even if I have about 4 inveters in the motor home (Anyone need a spare inverter? )
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
About the only differnece I have found is the idle current "current draw when you have no 120 volt load" is slightly higher on larger units.
Papa Bob
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Some right ideas, but the answers aren't completly correct.
If you leave the inverter on all the time, idle current does factor in. When a load is applied to the inverter, idle current is no longer an issue. Efficiency is. Most inverters are around 90% efficient, so the total current being used works out to be about the same. FWIW, my expensive Prosine 1800 Watt model, and my $29 Vector 400 Watt inverters, both are rated at 90%.
If you want to leave the inverter on, but want it to be less of an impact on your battery, get one that has a standby mode. My Prosine 1800 Watt inverter is rated at 22 Watts (1.83 Amps), or 1.5 Watts in standby (0.125 Amps). Every two seconds, a pulse is sent by the inverter looking for a load. When it senses a load, it automatically powers up.
The pulse...
But if you're looking for something inexpensive, capable of running a laptop, and only using it occassionally, hard to beat the Vector model. Comes with a carrying case, battery cables, and cigarette lighter plug (limited to the Wattage of the outlet).
Catch it on sale at Northern Tool:
Powering up my laptop on the road:
Running a moto-tool at work:
As part of my alt-power setup at home, I have one of these inverters operating my CFL outdoor lighting every night for the past year. Amazing how well they work for the price.
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