Power inverters

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Author Message   Will Cupp (W_cupp) Member Username: W_cupp Post Number: 65 Registered: 07-2003 Posted on Sunday, September 07, 2003 - 08:10 pm:    What is a good quality power inverter? And what size should I have to run power tools? Biggest thing I can think of that I would use is a Sawzaw.   Steve R (Barton) Member Username: Barton Post Number: 185 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Sunday, September 07, 2003 - 10:29 pm:    Hey Will, Check out Costco, if you have one near ya. I just saw 2 power inverters they carry, excellent pricing!!!! One is a 400-watt and the other 1,000 watt. Powertools are big guzzlers of juice...not sure what it'll take to turn one of those. My 400-watt inverter won't even run my dremel!   Steve Cooper (Scrover) Senior Member Username: Scrover Post Number: 488 Registered: 09-2002 Posted on Monday, September 08, 2003 - 12:34 am:    Just check the power rating on the tools you plan to use. I have a Tripp-Lite 1800W inverter with a dedicated aux. battery. The formula is volts X amps = watts, so a 10 amp tool at 110 volts needs 1100 watts from the inverter. I run a 1350W microwave and a 900W coffee maker when camping (screw that propane crap!) and so far (if I turn off the inverter when not in use) I can make it through dinner and breakfast. Make sure the inverter has a decent maximum surge for starting motors etc. The Tripp-Lite has a 3000W maximum surge. Don't overload the inverter and you'll be fine. SC   Will Cupp (W_cupp) Member Username: W_cupp Post Number: 66 Registered: 07-2003 Posted on Monday, September 08, 2003 - 01:40 pm:    Are there any brand names to stay away from? I know some car stereo amps say something like 1000 watts, but really its only 200 watts with a peak power of 1000. Does that applt to power inverters as well?