Inverter putting out 98 volts

[tealboy]

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.

[Bill_Satellite]

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]

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]

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]

Modified Sine Wave won't necessarily give correct voltage readings.

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