Re: Inverter -- The Dog House Forum

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Date Posted: 17:45:50 07/12/04 Mon
Author: Dog
Author Host/IP: 64-48-237-245-dal-01.cvx.algx.net / 64.48.237.245
Subject: Re: Inverter
In reply to: Gabor 's message, "Inverter" on 10:35:12 07/12/04 Mon

>We bought a 1000W inverter for $69 at Costco.
>Campingworld would have wanted over $300+ for an
>equivalent unit.

In all likelyhood, the Costco unit has a squarewave output, while the Camping World unit has a modified Sinewave. There is a difference, but many appliances don't care.

> Haven't yet hooked up the microwave
>directly to it (the plug is buried behind some
>paneling in our Bigfoot 10.6), but ran it through the
>generator hook-up and the water heated up quite nicely
>in my 1-minute test.

The inverter I have is mostly used for running the laptop, TV and my bass amp. With solar panels, I always seem to have plenty of 12V. And that little Honda 1000 is still chugging along. Someday I'll upgrade to the 2000. But no time soon.

> You may want to lower the power
>setting on the 1300 Watt microwave if you don't have a
>large inverter.

The problem with that theory is that most microwaves don't actually "lower" the power when you change the power setting. Instead, they "pulse" full power. In other words, they turn the magnatron (I think that's the right word) on and off. Pulse Width Modulation. I'm guessing a 1000W inverter may run the microwave, but only until the thermal switches kick in on the invertor. And since most inverters are only about 90% efficient in converting 12VDC into 115VAC, expect to draw some where around 120 amps from your batteries for a 1300 watt microwave. You better have some big dang wire.

>P.S. Nice boards.

Thanks... The collection has changed a bit. The Tiga 260 turned into a Tiga 259. The Xantos turned into a Hifly Madd 135. The Veloce is for sale. The Hip Hop is gone. The wife bought a Go 165. The E-Rock and Screamer are hanging in the Living Room. And I'm trying to resist buying the Hypersonic 105 we've got sitting in the shop I work at.

> So far I have managed to cram 5
>sails and 3 masts into the basement of our camper.

That doesn't actually sound that difficult. The Bigfeet I've seen had pretty big basements. Something I definitely envy.

>The (2) boards go on the roof.

How do you attach the boards to the roof? Racks? I'd considered putting a Thule pod up there for when we don't tow the trailer. But on those few occasions, we've not really had trouble fitting the chairs, coolers and such into the camper.

> The (2) booms attach
>to the ladder. Pretty precarious in 25 mph on-shore
>wind...

Ooooo... I bet so.

I knew there were other boardheads out there with the good sense to own truck campers. Glad to hear yours works good for you.

Thanks for writing.

Dog

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