Inverter out -- extension cord?
I have read that some use extension cord as the ac out on their inverter. We plan to run a flat panel tv, dvd player, or satellite box with our 600 watt inverter. I need to run about 40 feet from the ...
Forum Discussion
Hi sjturbo,
No there is no loss when the devices powered by the inverter are off and the inverter is off.
Some scenarios:
A. If you want the items on and there is no shore power the batteries will power them via the inverter and the batteries will discharge.
B. If you want them on and there IS shore power the batteries don't power the inverter, the converter does, so the batteries do not discharge.
C. If you want them on and there IS generator power, the batteries don't power the inverter, the generator powers the converter and the converter powers the inverter. So the batteries do not discharge.
D. If you have enough solar then the solar provides the energy to run the devices via the inverter and the batteries are not discharged.
It is true that B and C involve double conversion and that causes extra losses, but for the small loads you are talking about it doesn't amount to much energy at all.
If you were using a 3000 watt inverter to the max then it would be better to use a transfer switch. However, this is not what you are doing.
No there is no loss when the devices powered by the inverter are off and the inverter is off.
Some scenarios:
A. If you want the items on and there is no shore power the batteries will power them via the inverter and the batteries will discharge.
B. If you want them on and there IS shore power the batteries don't power the inverter, the converter does, so the batteries do not discharge.
C. If you want them on and there IS generator power, the batteries don't power the inverter, the generator powers the converter and the converter powers the inverter. So the batteries do not discharge.
D. If you have enough solar then the solar provides the energy to run the devices via the inverter and the batteries are not discharged.
It is true that B and C involve double conversion and that causes extra losses, but for the small loads you are talking about it doesn't amount to much energy at all.
If you were using a 3000 watt inverter to the max then it would be better to use a transfer switch. However, this is not what you are doing.
