Hi,

Was going to post this in my other thread but thought I'd start a new topic. I am thinking of getting an inverter mainly to power a media player and a laptop not at the same time.

Has anyone got any recommendations for one?

 

Hi this is the one I've used for the past couple of years and its been fine. The only down side is you have to watch your battery as it can drain it quickly. However, on the plus side it sits nicely in the cup holder.

Power Inverter And USB 150w 12v To 240v Power Inverters Batteries & Inverters Electrical Caravanning

 

The battery drain issue with inverters can be a problem. That's because the overall conversion efficiency from 12volt DC to 230volt AC at 50Hz (british spec.) is not too good -- and that efficiency can vary with the load.
The older ones used a power oscillator at 50Hz driving a mains transformer in step up mode to 230volt. A kinda 'backward' arrangement to the usual transformer style. However, more lately there are new designs using a capacitor charging idea with rapid switching to "build up" a much higher voltage which is then again switched into 230volt AC.
The clue as to which is which is simply the weight of the mains transformer (called the inverter transformer in this mode).
I'd check the Maplin catalog, see what they have.
You need to keep an eye on your device current drain. 100watt doesn't seem much to the grid, but it's an awful lot to a starter battery.
That one from Vanhofinvule looks like a good bargain price.

Leedsman.

 

I will only be using it while the car is running and I am on the move. Using one of these does it damage the car battery.

 

No problem if used with engine running and alternator charging. All the power used in the 12volt circuits is supplied by the alternator in this circumstance.
BTW., 100watt is just a litlle less than the current consumed by the headlights.
Starter batteries are not damaged in this use.

Leedsman.