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inverter question

JCMack
Explorer
Explorer
Just purchased a 3000 watt modified sine wave inverter for my motor home. We have two led TV stereo equipment and computor equipment. I am now being told that I must have a pure sine wave inverter for the equipment to operate with out problems. Can some one shed some light on which inverter in the correct one to use. Thanks
10 REPLIES 10

Tom_Barb
Explorer
Explorer
MSW produces a current the electric blankets don't like.
2000 Newmar mountain aire 4081 DP, ISC/350 Allison 6 speed, Wrangler JL toad.

Daveinet
Explorer
Explorer
Some of the older switching type power supplies used to not like modified sign wave inverters, however most modern switching supplies don't care. They used to be confused by the noise generated by the abrupt switching. Modern designs are more stable and not screwed up by the noise.
IRV2

crasster
Explorer II
Explorer II
Almost all electronics work well on modified sine wave inverters. Especially things with adapters.

Things such as a/c powered cordless drills, saws, and a/c motors - plus certain types of lights should be on pure sine.
4 whopping cylinders on Toyota RV's. Talk about great getting good MPG. Also I have a very light foot on the pedal. I followed some MPG advice on Livingpress.com and I now get 22 MPG! Not bad for a home on wheels.

Mandalay_Parr
Explorer
Explorer
All my electronics operate just fine on a modified sine wave inverter.
Jerry Parr
Full-time
2005 Mandalay 40B
Cat C7 350, 4 Slides
Blue Ox, Brake Buddy
2004 CR-V Toad
jrparr@att.net
602-321-8141
K7OU - Amateur Radio
Kenwood Radios
ARRL, W5YI, & LARC VE
SKYWARN Weather Spotter

pianotuna
Nomad III
Nomad III
Hi Tom,

I'm glad to hear you don't have a problem--but many folks *have*. I'm not a Mac user, so I don't have a horse in this race. I have used MSW for 13 years but recently moved "up" to a 3000 watt pure sine wave hybrid Magnum unit.
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.

Tom_Barb
Explorer
Explorer
pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

3000 watts is overkill for entertainment center equipment. Some televisions don't mind modified sine wave. Others do. In your shoes I'd add a 2nd inverter that is pure sine wave and about 300 watts.

Most computers are "ok" on modified sine wave. The exception is Apple. Using them on an MSW inverter lets out the magic blue smoke from the computer.


My iMAC works great on my modified type inverter/charger.
2000 Newmar mountain aire 4081 DP, ISC/350 Allison 6 speed, Wrangler JL toad.

RayChez
Explorer
Explorer
I have the MSW Xantrex 458 3000 watt inverter and it works great for TV, Computers, coffee makers and even the Micro wave.
2002 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser
330 HP Caterpillar 3126-E
3000 Allison Transmission
Neway Freightliner chassis
2017 Buick Envision

tropical36
Explorer
Explorer
JCMack wrote:
Just purchased a 3000 watt modified sine wave inverter for my motor home. We have two led TV stereo equipment and computor equipment. I am now being told that I must have a pure sine wave inverter for the equipment to operate with out problems. Can some one shed some light on which inverter in the correct one to use. Thanks

That's a pretty big inverter and hopefully you have the battery power to sustain and do it justice.
As for the wave, we have a mod sine wave 1000w running on two 6v batteries and use it for two LCD/LED tv's, a DVD, a laptop, and the fridge with no problems due to the wave form. Just won't last long with the fridge, dry camping and use it mostly for going down the road. If we had some of the ice maker, etc...accessories on a residential fridge, then the electronic circuitry associated with that, may not like the mod wave. As for size, we could do it all with a 750W, easily and have been known to make a big pot of coffee <900W with the 1KW. If you feel the need for a pure sine wave inverter, it will cost at least twice as much and maybe more expensive for a 3KW. We just replaced the 1000w we had after almost 6yrs, with an Auto Zone model for $100.
"We are often so caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey."

07 Revolution LE 40E_Spartan MM_06 400HP C9 CAT_Allison 3000.

Dinghy_2010 Jeep Wrangler JKU ISLANDER.

1998 36ft. National Tropi-Cal Chevy Model 6350 (Sold)

pianotuna
Nomad III
Nomad III
Hi,

3000 watts is overkill for entertainment center equipment. Some televisions don't mind modified sine wave. Others do. In your shoes I'd add a 2nd inverter that is pure sine wave and about 300 watts.

Most computers are "ok" on modified sine wave. The exception is Apple. Using them on an MSW inverter lets out the magic blue smoke from the computer.
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.

2oldman
Explorer II
Explorer II
Don Rowe site Inverter FAQ
Inverters by Phred

MSW v. pure sine
Inverters and MW thread
"If I'm wearing long pants, I'm too far north" - 2oldman