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tealboy's avatar
tealboy
Explorer
Oct 09, 2017

Inverter putting out 98 volts

I'm using a power line cigarette lighter plugin style inverter for inside the cab, running my computer and periodically, for a 32 inch tv for tailgating. I have never checked the voltage until today and was surprised at how low it was.

Is this normal? Is it problematic for my tv, a med size fan or my computer? Worried about damaging the electronics but maybe it is fine. The inverter is a cheap one, maybe $20 or so.

Battery is new reading 12.5 volts and using a basic inexpensive meter to read output.

18 Replies

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  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Oct 09, 2017
    If the tv works all is fine. Just the flat MSW registering low on the pear-to-peak voltmeter.

    Get sine wave or a true RMS meter to read the volts.
  • SidecarFlip's avatar
    SidecarFlip
    Explorer III
    Oct 09, 2017
    Considering the cost of a PSW inverter versus a MSW unit. No point is being that cheap in my view.
  • Sam_Spade's avatar
    Sam_Spade
    Explorer
    Oct 09, 2017
    tealboy wrote:

    I added a light load and it went to 110 and up to 118 with a medium load so maybe the no load situation was the problem?


    YES.
    And that also indicates that you do NOT need to throw away your meter. ;)
  • Bill_Satellite's avatar
    Bill_Satellite
    Explorer II
    Oct 09, 2017
    The Modified Sine Wave inverter will not show the proper voltage when using a standard Multi-Meter. I suspect all is well but the meter is wrong.
  • tealboy's avatar
    tealboy
    Explorer
    Oct 09, 2017
    MrWizard wrote:
    Did you read this with devices on, a load
    Or
    Just at the inverter with nothing else connected

    The second method will never give a correct reading


    No load, just connected to the battery. Reading that I need a true rms volt meter instead of my basic one or will never get a good reading

    I added a light load and it went to 110 and up to 118 with a medium load so maybe the no load situation was the problem?
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Oct 09, 2017
    Did you read this with devices on, a load
    Or
    Just at the inverter with nothing else connected

    The second method will never give a correct reading
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Oct 09, 2017
    Modified Sine Wave won't necessarily give correct voltage readings.

    How much extra heat are the power bricks producing when using the unit?

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