Hi all. Just bought Penine Pullman, totaly love her, cant wait for the weather to get better to actualy be able to take her away!! I bought a new battery, 110amp , thinking that this would run a radio, charge my sons variouse hand held computer games (hopping wel be far too buisy enjoying the grt out doors and forget he's got them), small microwave. But wev now realised that the battery will not do this. Have had a look at some solutions and found a "battery power inverter", which works through the cigarette lighter sockets ect. We are total begginer to camping life and was just wondering if any body has used this kind of inverter. Are they safe + will they do the job?
I just cant see the point of me buying a brand new battery just to run the light, is the only solution to pay for hook up ???
The battery can be used to run low-power devices like a radio, chargers, etc., but you can't use it to run a microwave (which uses a lot of power - typically 700 Watts).
If you really need the microwave, then yes, hookup is the only solution I'm afraid.
If your Pennine has a cigarette lighter socket, then yes, you can plug in an inverter. Yes, these are safe. However, they are limited in their power output ("wattage"). The kind that can run off a lighter socket are typically 150-250W. This will run your radio and battery chargers OK, but will not run a microwave or any other heating appliance.
If you can find a 12V "in car charger" for your son's computer games, then you can plug this straight into the lighter socket just like in a car, without needing the inverter.
Forget the microwave leave it at home on start up it will peak at about a Kw. Just plugging in the inverter you will be losing your battery power. It may be worth investing in an Solar Panel between 40 / 80 watts depending on your power requirements if you look after it should last you 25 years. Use gas for fridge and cooker. Or alternatively use 230V hook up. Thats pretty much your options.
------------- A barman is just a pharmacist
with a limited inventory
An inverter is a useful power source for transforming 12 volts to 240 volts but to do this it will consume excess energy from the leisure battery no matter what size it is. Whatever size leisure battery you have it will need to re-charged on a regular basis to replenish power that you have consumed via the inverter but if the battery is not re-charged periodically then it will start to go flat and because a leisure battery is designed differently to a car battery you may well have a problem getting it re-charge unless you have the proper smart charger which charges in 4 stages and designed for this purpose. When you are on site and need to re-charge the battery you have 4 options and they are connecting to an electric hook supply, solar panel, generator or for the site owners to re-charge the battery for you. In order of pereference I would suggest the EHU first then the generator as a favoured second option but if you decide on a solar panel you need one with a high wattage. I have never used an inverter myself but I know a few people that have and the feedback is identical that they have their limitations regarding their time in use due to the instant high power demand.
Thanks guys, there is a lot of good advice. Just didnt want to go out and buy more bits n bobs that I cant use.
I think we'l stick to the hook up for the first season, see how it goes then make informed decisions from there! Im sure we'l meet a lot of other campers on our travels who will be able to put some ideas into the mix.
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Topic: power question
