Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 03:18:27 -0800
Reply-To: Gail Fitzpatrick <redwood@SPEEDLINK.COM>
Sender: Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From: Gail Fitzpatrick <redwood@SPEEDLINK.COM>
Subject: Inverter questions; was: Re: Power Inverters, which one to buy
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
According to the latest Camping World catalog, p. 43, in choosing an
inverter, one should: "Calculate the highest total wattage needed at once
(see chart below) and choose the closest wattage Inverter with a greater
output from chart at left" [of their offerings]. In the small chart at the
bottom of the page, they list typical power usage in watts of many small
appliances or tools [but no fans, nor anything that really seems very
comparable].
One thing i don't understand -- On their list of inverters, the 3 of largest
capacity are marked with asterisks indicating "Modified sine wave and
frequency controlled." Is this really 'fine print' meaning the true
capacity of the units is less than indicated, or what?
I've already had installed a 63 amp/hr aux. battery. My particular quest is
to contrive a way to power a small [600w] microwave, if possible. I've
already made one important [if obvious] discovery: a microwave rated at
600w really draws up to *920w*, to power the light, turntable, etc, i
suppose. On the other hand, it is possible with some ovens to cook at less
than full power. i just bought one i'm hoping i can make work, that has 10
levels. So, if i understand it, it would be possible to draw as little as,
say, 500w, by cooking at 30% [600w x .30 = 180w, plus the 320w to work the
oven]. Does this make sense?
My situation is that i sometimes have to rely on supplementary oxygen, and
at those times, open-flame cooking is, um...not a good idea. So i thot a
microwave can cook so fast, that it wouldn't really take the battery down
that much, used judiciously. But a 300/600w inverter wouldn't be up to it.
Apparently the "peak" capacity is really irrelevant to this issue; i should
have an inverter with a "continuous" rating of at least *920w*, to use the
microwave alone. Problem is that the prices of these things seem to go up
almost literally exponentially. i.e., in the CW catalog, from $79 for
125/175w, up a couple to $139 for 400/600, on up to $399 for 750/1500 and
$599 for1200/2400.
Then, there's something called a "Heart Interface Inverter/Charger", $849
for a 1000w capacity. Is there *any* solution to this, that won't cost a
fortune?
Would really appreciate any advice...
TIA,
Gail
PS: wrt prices, to respond to the earlier post --
Camping World's price for a 300w continuous/600 peak inverter is $84.99 list
with discounts available down to $71.97. When i called Damark, i was quoted
$69.99 for that size unit, and I have found them locally for the same price.
So $49.99 sounds very good, based on my research. I've requested a Damark
catalog.
If you're interested in a Camping World catalog, you can call 800.626.5944.
Their prices aren't wonderful, but camping offerings are comprehensive and
the catalogs can be informative, e.g. the power usage chart.
gail
At 09:01 AM 11/3/97 -0500, E.C. Cannon wrote:
> These sound like good deals based on retail prices.
> You should over-size it to be safe.
>
>______________________________ Reply Separator
_________________________________
>Subject: Power Inverters, which one to buy
>Author: Thing Guy <ThingGuy@aol.com> at BALT.SMTP
>Date: 10/31/97 10:25 PM
>
>
>I just received a Damark catalog in the mail and found 2 power inverters for
>sale.
>
>Power to go 300 watt continuous 600 watt peak $49.99 free s+h or
>
>Whistler 500 watt continuous 800 watt peak $99.99 free s+h
>
>I'm thinking about buying the 300 watt to power one or two small fans to keep
>cool when I'm camping. I think 300 watts should be enough, unless someone can
>offer a reason I should get the 500 watt unit.
>
>Does anyone know of a better deal to be had out there than the $49.99?
>
>TIA
>
>Steve
>New Side Tents at http://members.aol.com/tentinfo
>
__________________________
Gail Fitzpatrick
'87 GL Westi, 121k [Twiga]
Sacramento, CA
<redwood@speedlink.com>
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