All About Inverters
Why would I want to buy an Inverter?
Inverters provide an AC (Wall) outlet in your car or on the plane!
Inverters allow you to use your portable electronic devices such us Notebook Computers, Cell Phones,
DVD players, MP3 Players, Digital Cameras, etc. anywhere you travel by providing a common source of
power compatible with most portable electronic devices.
Inverters convert Direct Currently (DC) that is usually stored in a battery and available from a Vehicle
Power Port (or Airline Power Port) to Alternating Current (AC) as found at a wall outlet in your home or
office.
What can be powered from an Inverter?
Unlike wall outlets in your home and office an Inverter can only support portable electronic devices
compatible with the Inverter’s continuous power rating expressed in Watts. 120 to 150 Watts is a good
output to support most notebook computers commonly in use today.
Some electrical appliances with heating elements (resistive loads) draw far more power than an Inverter
can produce. This is why Inverters do not work with hairdryers, kettles, etc.
Inverters are very easy to use. Simply plug your portable electronic device into the Inverter and plug the
Inverter into your Vehicle Power Port (Cigarette Lighter Port) or Airline Power Port.
What to consider when shopping for Inverters
There are different factors to consider when shopping for Inverters. Some of the most important are:
o
Single AC (Wall) Outlet vs. Multiple AC (Wall) Outlets and USB Port(s)
o
Size
o
Continuous and Peak Power
o
Additional Features
Single AC (Wall) Outlet vs. Multiple AC (Wall) Outlets and USB ports
The idea with Inverters offering multiple AC (Wall) sockets is to power two devices at the same time.
While this appears to be a nice feature, there are some drawbacks to be considered with this particular
design.
There is only a limited amount of energy (power) available from a Vehicle Power Port – approximately
150 Watts. The Vehicle Power Port in a vehicle is usually fused at 15 Amps. Attempting to draw more
than 15 Amps by powering multiple portable electronic devices could blow the fuse in the vehicle!
Given the availability of a maximum of 150 Watts from the Vehicle Power Port and the increasing power
demands of new notebook computers (120 Watts and more) it is NOT a good idea to include multiple AC
Battery (DC) Power
Wall (AC) Power
INVERTER
