The goal of this article is to help the new survivor select an appropriate power inverter to use in their Bug out vehicle.
We as a society have grown accustomed to our abundance of appliances and gadgets. Life would simply be difficult without these modern accessories. The key to a smooth transition from life on grid power to vehicle battery operation lies in finding the right devices to convert DC power to a usable AC source. In general, one can think of this task as a simple matter of selection, however, by doing your research, you will quickly realize that there are many choices that you will be faced with. These picks vary not only in price but also in features.
Typical investor prices range from as low as $40 or less to well over a thousand depending on your desires and how deep your pocket is. Although the apparent power of the machine may be your first consideration, your final decision may be based on the output waveform of the inverter.
To explain this further, you’ll find two general types of 12 volt power inverters in use today. These are the true sine wave or the less expensive modified sine wave. Modified sine wave inverters are actually square wave generators. The true sine wave will produce outputs identical to the power you would receive from the utility’s mains configuration. This waveform, if you were to view it on an oscilloscope, would produce a perfectly smooth sine wave.
On the other hand, modified sine wave or square waves are frequently the most common variety of power inverters found on the market today. These are usually the least expensive to produce, and naturally the cost is passed on to the consumer. These power sources produce a wave that is generally acceptable for almost all electrical devices. This output differs significantly from the true sine wave in that it appears choppy when viewed with the oscilloscope.
You may be wondering at this point what this means for you as the end user of this product. Actually, you would have to answer: “Very little.” Most of your precious electrical devices should work just fine, whether they are used in this inverter or the more expensive true sine wave version.
If your goal in selecting an inverter is to power your laptop, cell phone charger, or any other small device, then the modified sine wave inverter would be appropriate. Strictly speaking, these small wattage units generally run from your BOV’s cigarette lighter socket. Try to keep the units you power from this outlet under 300 watts, as this will prevent blowing of the vehicle’s fuses.
When selecting your square wave inverter, you will need to determine which group you will need. The four groups of these investors are:
300 Watt Units – These are the least expensive inverters, usually priced between $40 and $60. They are perfect for small appliances, televisions, desktop computers, VCRs, and other low-voltage items. These units usually have a 12 volt cigarette lighter plug connected.
The next group we come across are the 600 watt units. These are priced a bit higher and range from as low as $100 all the way up to $120. You can power big screen TVs or power tools with these “bad boys.” These inverters often connect directly to your 12 volt battery source.
The third group contains those inverters rated at 1750 watts. Here we have price ranges from $200 to $400 dollars. You can expect good service for large power tools, toasters, microwave ovens, and hair dryers. These are also units directly connected to the battery.
Finally we have the 3000 watt inverters. These are top of the line units that range in price from $400 to $750. These inverters are capable of powering virtually any appliance you may have. Special wiring as well as a battery bank may be required for the safe operation of these units.
Keep in mind which equipment you will ultimately use for your inverter will determine the size and type you purchase. Be sure to check the wattage of the device you are getting the inverter for and choose wisely.