size of inverter

[raztec]

I just purchased this 300W morningstar inverter
morningstar

But I didn't realize how incredibly big and bulky and heavy it is. I'll only use the inverter to charge my computer and cameras and cell phone when off the grid from my 12v deep cycle.

I'm wondering if I need such a big inverter and if I can't just get away with a much smaller and cheaper one for my intended use?

Thx
R

[KD4UPL]

Cheap modified sine wave inverters (and even expensive ones for that matter) can and do regularly damage/fry/ whatever expensive electronics. One of my employees plugged his Apple laptop into my 240w MSW inverter despite my warning not too. It cost him a new computer. I have a customer who destroyed the electronics in 2 brand new gas ranges at his off grid cabin before realizing it was the MSW inverter doing it. Just about everyone agrees that the control to an electric blanket will be smoked by a MSW inverter. I've run a TV form a MSW inverter and lots of diagonal lines appeared on the screen. Hum appears in the audio of electronics. Just about any Apple computer product will likely be damages. Clocks will not keep correct time. Lots of cordless tool battery chargers will be damaged by a MSW inverter.
I could go on. For charging expensive electronics the inverter you have is about the best you can get. Any little light weight cheap Radio Shack or truck stop special inverter can cause the type of damage I've listed above.
It's your choice.

[jamway]

raztec wrote:

SCVJeff wrote:
Sure sounds like the OP's mind is made up now looking for an excuse. If you dont want it, return it. All the reasons on why to keep it are listed above. Thats a great inverter you chose the first time, dont make a mistake the second.

I haven't decided one way or the other, hence my question here to more experienced people.

If I DON"T intend on using a t.v., microwave, stereo, etc and my ONLY use will be to charge a computer and small electronics (cell phone, cameras), do I need such a behemoth of an inverter which requires installation and wiring etc.

Can I not use a cheap inverter, like the kind one gets at Radio Shack?
Is there a significant draw back to such an inverter?
Does anyone have personal experience with these cheaper inverters that simply plug into the 12v outlet inside my camper?
Has it fried your electronics?

Thanks for your guys' valuable advice.

Raz

We have a cheap 300W inverter we got at W-M I think about 10 years ago. It is hard wired in the pickup and works great.

We use it for our laptop that is used for a GPS and a small fridge almost every trip.

We also use a 100W one that plugs into a cig. lighter plug that I installed with 10G wire for the laptop in the trailer. We have only used this for about five years with no problem (YET).

I would like to have the 300W morningstar inverter for the TV but$$$$ stops me.

[SCVJeff]

I give up.. You now have 2 pages of people telling you that you made the correct choice.

[raztec]

smkettner wrote:
You might be better off with a $10 USB adapter.

http://www.amazon.com/

I already have such a thing for my cell phone and other electronics which can charge via USB.

I'm looking something with a 3 pronged plug input for my camera and computer. Something like: duracell inverter amazon

I guess I should have done more research before buying the MS inverter. I didn't realize it was so big for one, and that it would take extensive installationI. Especially, when my required usage is so limited.

Thx
R

[time2roll]

You might be better off with a $10 USB adapter.

http://www.amazon.com/

[Ron3rd]

smkettner wrote:
The MS 300w is perfect for what you need.

I agree, and you bought the best.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

I'm going to risk a smart phone that's worth more than my car (down here) because I am penny wise and C-Note foolish.

I doan theenk so...

[SCVJeff]

raztec wrote:

SCVJeff wrote:
Sure sounds like the OP's mind is made up now looking for an excuse. If you dont want it, return it. All the reasons on why to keep it are listed above. Thats a great inverter you chose the first time, dont make a mistake the second.

I haven't decided one way or the other, hence my question here to more experienced people.

If I DON"T intend on using a t.v., microwave, stereo, etc and my ONLY use will be to charge a computer and small electronics (cell phone, cameras), do I need such a behemoth of an inverter which requires installation and wiring etc.

Can I not use a cheap inverter, like the kind one gets at Radio Shack?
Is there a significant draw back to such an inverter?
Does anyone have personal experience with these cheaper inverters that simply plug into the 12v outlet inside my camper?
Has it fried your electronics?

Thanks for your guys' valuable advice.

Raz

You can't ask a blanket question like “has it fried your electronics”, because you will get pages of varying answers. It depends on YOUR electronics, not anyone else's. 300W is not “behemoth” by any stretch of the imagination, its average. Does it need to be wired to the battery?... That’s a really good idea. I have several 150W MSW inverters that have all been removed from the RV because my new PC draws more charge current that the Cig plug can handle and I’m getting tired of burning my fingers. And YES, they HAVE fried electronics.

Just install it and be happy you did it right the 1st time

[MEXICOWANDERER]

"IT'S -OPPOSITES DAY-"

"Is there a danger in using a cheap inverter to charge such products?"

"NO!"

[westend]

Can I not use a cheap inverter, like the kind one gets at Radio Shack?
Is there a significant draw back to such an inverter?
Does anyone have personal experience with these cheaper inverters that simply plug into the 12v outlet inside my camper?
Has it fried your electronics?

I can send you a box of those cheap inverters. They don't work anymore but you could look them over to see which ones to avoid.

The 300W Morningstar is well regarded. I'd keep it. If visual impact is something that tears you up, find a way to hide it. It would even be possible to mount it outside the interior of your RV if you can find a way to mount it in a ventilated, weatherproof enclosure.

[otrfun]

Everyone seems to be primarily focusing on the electrical capacity/size. Isn't the OP also concerned about the physical size of the unit, too? According to the Morningstar 300 brochure it's 8.4" x 6.0" x 4.1" and weighs 10.0 lbs. That's a pretty hefty 300 watt inverter. A bit pricey for a 300, too. $264 on Amazon. I'm sure it's a quality unit, but there are a number of good 600 watt PSW inverters physically smaller and significantly cheaper.

[time2roll]

I used a 150w portable MSW for a while. It put lines on the tv and the bricks seemed to run hotter than at home. At times I had a gaggle of items plugged in with an extension cord for more outlets and draped over to the table at times for use. No actual harm to anything.

Now 300w PSW GoPower wired into the existing outlets works way better for us. Far more convenient, no electric noise on the movie screen, no set up-just touch the remote for instant power, and the brick(s) seem to run cooler. On one trip my fridge did not light so I was able to use the inverter to keep it running in transit. I was able to repair the fridge after arriving at camp.

Still carry the old inverter. Have loaned it out twice.

Mine is wired in behind the electric panel. 12v power from the main battery feed. 120v connected to two branch circuits with transfer switches.

BTW 300w will not run a microwave.

[JamesJudasPries]

You asked, we answered. I have indeed had experience with cheap ones and they often have a loud cooling fan that goes on no matter what the load is, they often make noise themselves (ugly high pitched whining sounds) and put out a******sawtooth waveform that is unlikely to play nice with your computer. I have had multiple cheapos, some would run a laptop, some would hang it up, not worth buying. If you are set on wanting a cig plug compatible one, maybe get a samlex pst 150 watt sine wave model. Still not that cheap. The morale of the story - I know you want a cheap one , but it's not worth the disappointment.

[raztec]

SCVJeff wrote:
Sure sounds like the OP's mind is made up now looking for an excuse. If you dont want it, return it. All the reasons on why to keep it are listed above. Thats a great inverter you chose the first time, dont make a mistake the second.

I haven't decided one way or the other, hence my question here to more experienced people.

If I DON"T intend on using a t.v., microwave, stereo, etc and my ONLY use will be to charge a computer and small electronics (cell phone, cameras), do I need such a behemoth of an inverter which requires installation and wiring etc.

Can I not use a cheap inverter, like the kind one gets at Radio Shack?
Is there a significant draw back to such an inverter?
Does anyone have personal experience with these cheaper inverters that simply plug into the 12v outlet inside my camper?
Has it fried your electronics?

Thanks for your guys' valuable advice.

Raz