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Power
Inverter
What
are power inverters?
A power inverter is an electrical
device that converts direct current (DC) battery power into alternating current
(AC) power which can then run a range of gadgets like household and office
appliances when an AC outlet is not readily available. The power inverter is
best used in situations where AC power is not available like in areas with no
electricity. There are three types of power signals produced by power inverters
and each type has different properties.
First there is the Square Wave
Signal, this was produced by the first set of inverters but are now outdated
and is rare these days because the power they produce is not reliable or
consistent. Then Modified Sine/Square Wave and Pure Sine Wave signal.
What
are power inverters used for?
A power inverter works by taking the
direct current (DC) power from a battery or other stored power source and
convert it into the alternating current (AC) which is the form that of our
everyday devices use. You can use the inverter when you need AC power on the go
during travel or at home on devices you would normally plug into a home
electrical outlet like a fan, lamp and microwave.
There are different types of power
inverters since they come in different shapes and capacities. The small models
up to a couple hundred watts are small rectangular boxes with an attached wire
and jack that can be plugged into the cigarette lighter port on the dashboard
of a car. Larger models have electrical cables that can be connected directly
to battery terminals.
You could use a power inverter for
different situations like when you are on a road trip and you would want to use
your laptop or if you’re on a fishing trip and you would want to watch a movie
on your DVD player. Power inverters are handy especially when there is a power
outage and you need power supply to operate your gadgets. Areas without
electricity like in the bush or far flung or private estates areas of victoria garden city lagos, ikorodu, tudu wada in jigawa state nigeria etc can benefit from
power inverters in providing a power source for lights and powering up simple
electronic gadgets and appliances. A power inverter is even a helpful source of
convenient energy on camping trips, beaches and parks where conventional
electricity is not available.
The wattage you need and how you
will be connecting the unit to your power source are items to be taken into
consideration. Power inverters come in different power ratings and this will
determine the type and number of devices that can be used. You need to be sure
to get an inverter that satisfies your wattage requirement and generates the
appropriate wave form output. To calculate what the capacity you require you
need to know the devices you will connect and the wattage they draw.
When using the power inverter for a
longer time, more energy is drawn from the battery. It is recommended to fully
charge the battery and even have a spare when you plan of using the inverter
for a long time. Having various devices plugged to the inverter also affects
the rate of battery drain.
If you decide to use an inverter
make sure that you get one with a capacity that suits your needs. If the power
inverter is attached to your car that is not running, it is advised that you
start the engine every 10 to 15 minutes to prevent the battery from
discharging. Read and understand the owner’s manual when working with batteries
to prevent injury and improper connection as use of an inverter could lead to
electrocution.
What
is an inverter charger?
An inverter charger is a power
inverter with a built in battery charger. It allows the batteries to be
recharged if the inverter charger is connected to an AC power source such as
mains power or an electrical generator.
You could also use inverter charges
in areas with unstable power supply. The inverter will be connected to
batteries and the main electrical source. When there is an electrical power
supply the system is designed to charge the batteries to store power and when
there is a power outage the inverter draws DC current from the battery and
converts it to AC to power the home.
Where
should batteries that connect to the inverter be stored?
The batteries should be closest to
the power inverter as possible so that the cables can be short and run a clean
and clear signal. If your batteries are the flooded lead acid type you will
need to ensure that they are ventilated so there is not build up of gases.
Since power inverters are not
weatherproof, you should keep them in a place where they will not get wet. They
should be kept dry like any other electronic device, as wetness will destroy
your device and cause an unsafe situation. Make sure to keep your power
inverter away from any kind of generated heat or flammable source that can
cause overheating and fires.
Is
it better to have a modified sine wave power inverter or a pure sine wave power
inverter?
This is a very important question
and will solely dependent on the devices you connect to the inverter as the
type of devices that will run of a modified sine wave inverter are quite
limited.
What
type of battery should I be using with my power inverter?
Power inverters are best used with
deep cycle batteries because they tend to maintain a consistent voltage more
efficiently, are longer lasting than starter batteries.
Is
it possible to use an extension cord with a power inverter?
Yes, it is possible to use an
extension cord with your power inverter, but keep cord lengths to the shortest
possible to avoid power loss and signal degradation.
Should
a vehicle with a power inverter installed in it remain idle while using it to
help maintain its battery charge during use?
Yes, most people allow their
vehicles to idle while using their inverters, it is a good idea to draw small
quantities of power from a starter battery as they do not store a lot of power
and can be easily drained leaving you unable to start your vehicle.
Can
I run a microwave on a power inverter?
Yes, be aware though that the
wattage stated on a microwave may be its ‘cooking power’ not its energy
consumption. Cooking power is the amount of energy that the microwave sends
into the food, it’s energy consumption is often twice it’s cooking power, so be
sure to read the label at the back of the microwave. Also power surges are very
common in microwaves and as a rule of thumb choose a power inverter that can
handle twice the wattage energy consumption of the microwave you want to use.
How
to install an inverter?
Power inverters are ideally
installed indoors on a flat, dry surface where they cannot be affected by
extreme weather elements and exposure to environmental elements. To ensure
efficient and safe functioning of the inverter, place it in an area within
fairly close range of your battery supply to get a direct and clear signal.
What
is the ideal temp to store a power inverter?
To safely store your power inverter,
make sure that it is installed in an area out of direct sunlight and kept at a
storing temperature of between 10 degrees and 30 degrees Celsius. Ensure proper
ventilation to prevent the power inverter from overheating.
Where
is the best place to install the power inverter in my vehicle?
Power inverters are best placed in
an area where they are sufficiently protected from susceptibility to acid
corrosion or endangerment of becoming wet. Never install them in an area near
any heat source like under the hood of a vehicle. The safer place would be to
install the power inverter in the back compartment of your vehicle. The battery
leads are run from that point to the vehicle’s battery supply in the front. You
could also add an extra battery to make sure that your connection will run
continuously and efficiently.
Why
do my audio appliances make a buzzing sound when I run them on my power
inverter?
If you use a modified sine wave
inverter, some of your audio devices can pick up the electronic hum signal.
Modified sine wave inverters are known to produce noise compared to the pure
sine wave inverter. If you use a pure sine wave inverter, your lower quality
audio devices will operate noise free because this inverter type is very
efficient in filtering out common-mode noises in audio devices.
Which
kind of printer will work more efficiently with my power inverter when used at
home?
An ink jet printer uses less power
than a laser printer and will function more effectively when using a power
inverter. For home or office use, an ink jet printer is the more reliable and
intelligent choice compared to other types of printers.
What
is a low voltage alarm?
Low Voltage Alarm is an internal
feature of power inverters that sounds off to alert you to the problem of your
DC power dropping too low e.g. below 11 volts on a 12v system. This is usually
a sign that your battery has almost run out of power. If the voltage drops any
further the power inverter will shut off completely to avoid draining the
battery completely and also to prevent itself supply non-standard power to its
AC circuit as it can not get enough energy from its DC circuit. Do not
disregard this sound because your inverter will be unable to restart when the
battery drains out completely, until it has regained some charge.
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