Tortech inverters

[bagmaker]

What do you actually want to run with it, Steve?

I feel a change in thinking is coming along, a few smaller inverters dedicated to each task is a better option that a single, large inverter.
The MAIN reason for this is inherent inefficiency within the inverter, especially when its not being used or only giving out low amps.
Because the internal losses don't change THAT much, you always have a pretty high rate of power usage when running a large inverter no matter how much power you are actually using.

So if you run a dedicated inverter for your fridge for example, just large enough to power it (great for the newer "Digital inverter" style fridges too) then it runs pretty much at capacity when the fridge is on. Its working to its full potential with minimal losses, unlike a large inverter which only runs full bore when you have a lot of your equipment running at the same time. But its still got the full percentage of losses, virtually regardless of current draw.

Other advantages include redundancy, cost-effective upgrades (technology changing quickly), low voltage wiring througout the rig compared to HV, etc.

Probably should have started a new thread

[SteveW]

I would have thought the answer is obvious to everyone - the hairdryer.

Sorry, I couldn't help it.

In order of importance:

The hair dryer.
The coffee machine and milk frother - both of these will run simultaneously with the 2000w Honda generator.
Recharging some devices that charge better with 240v rather than 12v.
Occasionally the microwave, toaster, etc.

It won't be used as a full time 240v source.

[bagmaker]

maybe a 12v hairdryer?
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Hairdryer-po ... 2a19c11173

Could be rubbish though, cannot really comment as I dont have any particular amount of hair

[SteveW]

I have tried a 12v hair drier. They simply don't put enough heat or air to achieve anything. Thanks anyway.

[Kelvin12]

Would for me, ain't all that much in the top paddock these days. The rigors of married life have caused it.

Dirk

[T1 Terry]

Terry, are you suggesting that the inverter shown might be a good thing as opposed to the $1000.00 Jaycar or the even much more expensive brands. Not wishing to put you on the spot or hold you liable BTW

After putting one through it's paces on Friday afternoon powering a big split system air con on heat cycle and the fridge etc at the same time, then switching the power off to force it to change from a charger to inverter while under load, it didn't falter, the same back the other way, it checked the incoming power was clean and stable, then seamlessly switch back to a charger and passed the 240vac through to power the loads. I was quite impressed, the stand by current was under 1 amp @ 24v, that's a par with most units on standby, on powersaver mode the amps dropped to 0.1 to 0.3 amps, but the auto switch over dropped the air con out when switching from mains to inverter. The aircon restarted ok but the inverter start up time was too long for the inverter aircon to do a seamless switch over.
For the price, quite impressive, but they are rather large and heavy, the big transformer that enables such a large over load is the reason for that so if you have the rom and weight capacity, I'd go for the heavy unit every time.

T1 Terry

[John M]

I got one very similar from ebay, the main board blew within a very short time, they replaced the board no problems, (sent new internals for me to fit) after about 3 months on the road the charger system packed up then a couple of months later the inverter section gave up the ghost, when pulling it to pieces found that a lot of the larger parts inside were supported by their wires, when doing further research on google found that these were not recommended for mobile use.
Granted that the one you are looking at is a different brand but most of these seem to be cloned from a similar American brand I would be very suspect unless they would give a written guarantee that they are suitable for rough road usage. I very rarely need the charging aspect but find it easier, cheaper and more reliable, in the long run to have a separate charger and inverter.