Power Inverters

timberbeast

Anyone use one? For a bit of background, I got me a couple hundred acres in the middle of a cedar swamp, no electricity, but do have the old Humphrey mantle gas lights in the cabin. Have a few Coleman lanterns about, as well. The cabin, and the sauna, are wired for lights, since I did have a generator before the thing gave up the ghost. The gas lights, the firepit and the lanterns are fine, but using the sauna, or the outhouse (yes, they're wired) pre-dawn or after sunset with just a flashlight is a pain since I've started bringing my younger children along. All that I need to power are a few light bulbs, and I can't see buying another generator for that. Personally, I probably wouldn't use it, except for in the sauna, but it sure would make the kids more comfortable to have a light by flicking a switch rather than balancing a flashlight during those late-night calls that can't wait. Used to have a few of those self-contained battery lights stuck around, but they don't make it but a few months before the moisture kills 'em dead. Any pros or cons offered?

shooter4

I use a 400w power inverter in my truck to run small stuff like the laptop and gps antenna, a drill, etc.

Check out:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=92&storeId=6970&catalogId=4006970&langId=-1&PHOTOS=on

jltrent

I also have a 400w power inverter in my ford f-250 diesel (2 big batteries) an it works great for small items. If you get one any bigger than this they do not recommend plugging it in the cigar lighter, instead run a wire directly to the batteries. Also with the bigger ones I would say the battery wouldn't last long unless you left the vehicle running all the time. I have had three 100w bulbs to mine and it does good. It also pulls my buffer, small drill I have and several other small items.

joey garza

three white leds in series with a 27 ohm resistor will run off of
12 volts very efficiantly about 20 milli amps, and give you more than enough light to navigate or acomplish the other task you mentioned.

I've got a used 2500w heart inverter I use for power tools ,washing machine.... and several 300w for smaler loads.

joey garza

not all compact florecent lights will work with inverters.

wundudnee

They make standard base light bulbs in 12V that will fit in all lamps and fixtures. Set up your lights to connect to a good deep cycle battery and with a little care you can have good light for a couple or three days. All your current switches and circuits should work.

Install an isolator on your vehicle and get a second deep cycle battery to switch out with the one on your system.

We used to be able to last several days on a battery in the camper when we camped on the creek banks. Now it's air-conditioned, microwave, TV, VCR, toaster, coffee pot, hair dryer, electric heater, fans and etc. I'm tethered to the pole.[:(]

....................
Old? First you forget names; then you forget faces; then you forget to pull your zipper up; then you forget to pull your zipper down.

woodsrunner

If you're going to just use it for lights. At a good electrical supply house you can buy 12 volt bulbs that screw into regular sockets. Just hook everything up to a car battery or a deep cycle boat/RV battery. Then use either a small solar panel or you vehicle to recharge it. They make solar panels that are used to keep a car battery charged up. Just use the gaslights most of the time and use the 12 volts for short stretches.

Now I'm no electrician, I'm sure there would be some innefeciency in the gauge of the existing wire, and switches meant for ac. But, I'm sure it would work.

Woods

timberbeast

Thanks, gang!