Invertor - advice/reassurance
Hi all,
We started using solar in the summer a few years ago and got an invertor from Halfords which plugged into 12volt internal socket and gave us a plug socket. It worked for a couple of times but then began to blow the fuse so we haven't used it since.
I now need to use my laptop for work when away and tried to get a straight 12v charger but have struggled to get one which has fitted my laptop (I just take my cheap hp stream away). We have decided to try again with an inverter and bought this one from Argos (I'm hoping a picture has been added).
We've tried it once and it did charge my laptop from half power to full in about 30mins. It made a whirring/fan noise all the time it was on. After my previous negative experience using an inverter, I just wanted to check that this is normal and whether people think this inverter should be ok to charge my laptop. Also, is there anything I need to know about using the inverter. (Please keep it basic as I know nothing of watts, voltage etc). Am I also correct in assuming I couldn't use a hairdryer with this as the hairdryer would be too powerful (this is the one sacrifice of going without electric 
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Thanks in advance.
Comments
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I see from Rings own site the constant output rating is 120 watts so you certainly will not be able to use it on even a travel kettle or a hairdryer. It should be ok to power you laptop but it depends on the laptop. The output is a modified sine wave, ideally it should be a pure sine wave for use on electronic equipment like computers. They are more expensive. You could consider >this one< I have never had one like this so cannot tell you anymore about it but I would rate it a better buy for the purpose you require but it will still not power a kettle or hair dryer. You will need at least 1000 watt inverter for that preferably larger.
peedee
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The fact that it has a USB would indicate that it’s primary use is for recharging phones etc. Fine for a laptop but not for any power consumers like kettles, hair driers etc.
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I have never experienced any problems, or had any failures, using basic modified-sine-wave inverters with computer power supplies/chargers........or anything else within rating for that matter.
The one exception is electric tooth brush chargers which are notorious for failing on such supplies (as well as fairly commonly on standard household supply
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There are loads of generic 12V laptop chargers about which would save all this inverter business. I've even got one for my MacBook, and you know how insular Apple are on third party gizmos.
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Thanks cyberyacht. That was my first choice. I ordered one of Ebay which said it would fit my HP laptop but, despite having 7 ends, it didn't, I needed something urgently last weekend so went with the inverter but may keep trying for a 12v charger. It will definitely have to be Ebay or Amazon as there is nothing in the shops.
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I got one from Maplins a long time ago but had the same problem as you. While it provided a multitude of ends none fitted! Have you tried Farnell or R S Components
peedee
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HP do seem to have a habit of using 'unusual' power connectors. Mine has a large round 7.5mm connector with a thin recessed centre pin. I used a connector off an old dud mains charger to connect to the output of the universal DC-DC converter.
HOWEVER my HP wants to see a 'signal voltage' on the centre pin in addition to the actual DC on the inner+outer of the plug. This requires a 180k resistor connected from the DC+ to the centre pin. (Probably all done to try to encourage people to buy their proprietary items
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Tracey- Advice? Yes, go for an inverter that will easily handle the task you are going to ask of it- ie- if you are wanting to draw 150 Watts then buy an inverter of 300 Watts. The other bit of advice is Buy a good and reputable make- the no name inverters may appear good value but they are not built to the standards you would expect and fall short in efficiency. Road Pro is a company who deal with inverters all the time and they will give you the makes that will “do the business“ I run several high amp age accessories through mine and although it’s a 2000w capacity- it’s not!! My Lithium battery has found flaws in the system- I will be changing mine soon.
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We have a Bestek 300W inverter which happily charges our Mac Air, a full size mains printer, camera battery chargers and even my heated, travel hair straightening tongs, though the latter are on the limit of its capacity. Where possible we use dedicated 12V chargers ie for iPad, iPhones and my husband’s electric shaver. Ideally, we use the inverter during the daytime so that it’s drain on the battery is reduced by 110W of solar panel.
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Your laptop should be fine as long as you are using the provided cable and transformer. That is as long as you charge it like at home. However I would power it off when charging and there should be no problem with the wave shape. Off mains the laptop works on 19 volts ish from the battery. If you use it plugged in to the inverteo and the battery is dodgy the wave shape could damage the electronics. The invertor has a built in fan which is what you can hear. Hairdriers are a no no unless you have a massive invertor. The 12 volt ones will also probably blow the caravan fuse. Most tablets and phones can be charged from the leisure battery as they run on 3.6 volts DC. To be safe you need a usb converter that you plug into the 12 volt socket in the van. A word about solar panels is never to charge devices directly as they can throw out 17 volts which may cook a phone battery.
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