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This power inverter directly connects to a 12 volt battery for instant 115 volt AC power. Power televisions, electronics and other small appliances hassle-free!
This power inverter produces clean, convenient power, keeping appliances active for hours. Whether you're powering the TV to watch the big game at the campsite or the boom box at the company picnic, this power inverter is a great portable power source. High surge capacity for products that require power up to 800 watts to start. Continuous power up to 400 watts.
Protection from low/high voltage, low/high temperatures, low/high currents. Modified sine wave for up to 87% efficiency. USB port. Heavy duty input cables with alligator clips. Short circuit and overload protection. LED indicator light.
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LIFETIME WARRANTY Lifetime Warranty on Hand Tools! We guarantee our Hand Tools to be free from defects in material and workmanship for the life of the product. Limitations apply. ABOUT HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS Founded in 1977, Harbor Freight Tools is the leading discount tool retailer in the U.S. Selling great quality tools at 'ridiculously low prices' in our 1000 + stores nationwide and on its website.
Harbor Freight Tools stocks over 7,000 items in categories including automotive, air and power tools, shop equipment and hand tools. With a commitment to quality and a lifetime guarantee on all hand tools, Harbor Freight Tools is a favorite of automotive and truck repair shops, government agencies, schools, manufacturers, contractors and tool enthusiasts who want top-quality and great selection and value. The results speak for themselves - with over 40 million customers and thousands of people switching to Harbor Freight Tools every day.
Power Inverter FAQ Frequently Asked Questions about Power Inverters. (and Formula to convert Amps to Watts). (Usage Chart). If you don't find your answer here. More Info, Questions & Answers about Inverters What does a power inverter do, and what can I use one for? A power inverter changes DC power from a battery into conventional AC power that you can use to operate all kinds of devices.
Electric lights, kitchen appliances, microwaves, power tools, TVs, radios, computers, to name just a few. You just connect the inverter to a battery, and plug your AC devices into the inverter.
And you've got portable power. Whenever and wherever you need it. The inverter draws its power from a 12 Volt battery (preferably deep-cycle), or several batteries wired in parallel. The battery will need to be recharged as the power is drawn out of it by the inverter.
The battery can be recharged by running the automobile motor, or a gas generator, solar panels, or wind. Or you can use a battery charger plugged into an AC outlet to recharge the battery. Using an Inverter for Emergency Home Backup Power A very simple way to use an inverter for emergency power (such as during a power outage), is to use a car battery (with the vehicle running), and an extension cord running into the house, where you can then plug in electrical appliances. To read an in-depth Article on What size inverter should I buy?
We carry many different sizes, and several brands of power inverters. See our for specifications on each of our models. Short Answer: The size you choose depends on the watts (or amps) of what you want to run (find the power consumption by referring to the specification plate on the appliance or tool). We recommend you buy a larger model than you think you'll need (at least 10% to 20% more than your largest load). Example: You want to power a computer with a 17' monitor, some lights, and a radio.
Computer: 300 Watts 2 - 60 Watt lights: 120 Watts Radio: 10 Watts Total Needed: 430 Watts For this application, you would minimally need a 500 W inverter, and should give some thought to a larger one, as there will likely be a time when you wish you'd bought a bigger model. In this example, you might decide you'd like to run a fan while you compute, or let the kids watch TV. Longer Answer: Determine Continuous Load and Starting (Peak) Load: You need to determine how much power your tool or appliance (or combination of them that you would use at the same time) requires to start up (starting load), and also the continued running requirements (continuous load). What is meant by the terms 'continuous-2000 watts' and 'peak surge-4000 watts' is that some appliances or tools, such as ones with a motor, require an initial surge of power to start up ('starting load' or 'peak load').
Once started, the tool or appliance requires less power to continue to operate ('continuous load') Helpful formulas: To Convert AMPS to WATTS: Multiply: AMPS X 120 (AC voltage) = WATTS This formula yields a close approximation of the continuous load of the appliance To Calculate approximate Startup Load: Multiply: WATTS X 2 = Starting Load This formula yields a close approximation of the starting load of the appliance, though some may require an even greater starting load. NOTE: Induction motors such as air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers and pumps may have a start up surge of 3 to 7 times the continuous rating.
Most often the start up load of the appliance or power tool determines whether an inverter has the capability to power it. For example, you have a freezer with a continuous load of 4 amps, and a start up load of 12 amps: 4 amps x 120 volts = 480 watts continuous 12 amps x 120 volts = 1440 watts starting load You would need an inverter with peak-surge rating greater than 1440 watts. FORMULA to convert AC Watts to DC Amps: AC Watts divided by 12 x 1.1 = DC Amps (this is the size vehicle alternator you would need to keep up with a specific load; for example, to keep up with a continuous draw of 1000 watts, you would need a 91 amp alternator) Click for a Do I need Modified Sine Wave, or Pure Sine Wave? Advantages of Pure Sine Wave inverters over modified sine wave inverters: a) Output voltage wave form is pure sine wave with very low harmonic distortion and clean power like utility-supplied electricity. B) Inductive loads like microwave ovens and motors run faster, quieter and cooler.
C) Reduces audible and electrical noise in fans, fluorescent lights, audio amplifiers, TV, Game consoles, Fax, and answering machines. D) Prevents crashes in computers, weird print out, and glitches and noise in monitors. Represents actual power consumption as measured on sample products. Click below for 4.
Click the Calculate button to see the number of hours your configuration should run. Hour(s) of operating time, approximate.
Based on fully charged batteries. You can also use these formulas to calculate how long your appliance will operate on your battery. For a 12 Volt System: (10 x (Battery Capacity in Amp Hours) / (Load Power in Watts)) / 2 = Run Time in Hours For a 24 Volt System: (20 x (Battery Capacity in Amp Hours) / (Load Power in Watts)) / 2 = Run Time in Hours Tip: Deep cycle (marine) batteries generally have the highest reserve ratings. They are also capable of withstanding repeated drains of power and recharging.
Tip: Engine start batteries should not be discharged below 90% charged state, and marine deep cycle batteries should not be discharged below 50% charged state. Doing so will shorten the life of the battery based on most battery manufacturers recommendations. Note: If you intend to use power tools for commercial use, or any load of 200W for more than 1 hour regularly (between battery recharging) we recommend installing an auxiliary battery to provide power to the inverter. This battery should be a deep cycle type and sized to meet your run time expectations with the engine off. The auxiliary battery should be connected to the alternator through an isolator module to prevent the inverter from discharging the engine start battery when the engine is off.
How do I connect two or more batteries? It may be advisable to operate the inverter from a bank of 12 Volt batteries of the same type in a 'parallel' configuration. Two such batteries will generate twice the amp/hours of a single battery; three batteries will generate three times the amp/hours, and so on. This will lengthen the time before your batteries will need to be recharged, giving you a longer time that you can run your appliances. You can also connect 6 Volt batteries together in 'series' configuration to double the voltage to 12 volts.
Note that 6 Volt batteries must be connected in pairs. 12 Volt Batteries connected in Parallel to double the current (amp/hours) 6 Volt Batteries connected in Series to double the voltage to 12 Volts Operating a Microwave with a Power Inverter The power rating used with microwave ovens is the 'cooking power' which refers to the power being 'delivered' to the food being cooked. The actual operating power requirement rating is higher than the cooking power rating (for example, a microwave with 'advertised' rating of 600 watts usually corresponds to almost 1100 watts of power consumption). The actual power consumption is usually stated on the back of the microwave. If the operating power requirement cannot be found on the back of the microwave, check the owner's manual or contact the manufacturer. Operating a Photographic Strobe with a Power Inverter A photographic strobe or flash generally requires a pure sine wave inverter capable of surging to at least 4 times the Watt Sec rating of the strobe. For instance, a strobe rated at 300 watts requires an inverter capable of surging to 1200 watts or more.
For additional information, please read this. Operating a Laser Printer with a Power Inverter A laser printer generally requires a pure sine wave inverter capable of surging at least 6.5 times the maximum wattage rating of the printer. For instance, a laser printer rated at 500 watts requires an inverter with a surge rating of at least 3,250 watts. An inkjet printer does not maintain the same requirements as a laser printer. Inkjet printers can be operated normally with a modified sine wave inverter rated to handle the printers wattage requirement. For additional information, please see our and this.
Television and Audio Suggestions Although all our inverters are shielded and filtered to minimize signal interference, some interference with your television picture may be unavoidable, especially with weak signals. Here are some suggestions that may improve reception: 1. First make sure that the television antenna produces a clear signal under normal operating conditions (i.e., at home plugged into a standard 110AC wall outlet). Also insure that the antenna cable is properly shielded and of good quality. Change positions of the inverter, antenna cables and television power cord. Isolate the television, its power cord and antenna cables from the 12 volt power source by running an extension cord from the inverter to the TV set.
Insure that any excess AC power cord is a distance away from the TV set. Coil the television power cord and the input cables running from the 12 volt power source to the inverter.
Attach a 'Ferrite Data Line Filter' to the television power cord. More than one filter may be required. These are available at electronic supply stores including Radio Shack (Radio Shack Part No. 273-105) NOTE: Some inexpensive audio systems may discharge a slight 'buzzing' sound when operated with an inverter. This is caused by deficient filters in the audio system. The only solution to this problem is using a sound system with a higher quality power supply. Appliance Cautions (for Modified Sine Wave Inverters): DO NOT plug small appliances into the inverter AC receptacles to directly recharge their nickel-cadmium batteries.
Always use the recharger provided with that appliance. DO NOT plug in battery chargers for cordless power tools if the charger carries a warning that dangerous voltages are present at the battery terminals. Not all fluorescent lamps operate properly with a modified sine wave inverter. If the bulb appears to be too bright, or fails to light, do not use the lamp with the inverter. Some fans with synchronous motors may slightly increase in speed (RPM) when powered by a modified sine wave inverter. This is not harmful to the fan or to the inverter. Certain rechargers for small nickel-cadmium batteries can be damaged if plugged into a modified sine wave inverter.
In particular, two types of appliances are susceptible to damage:. Small, battery-operated appliances such as flashlights, cordless razors and toothbrushes that can be plugged directly into an AC receptacle to recharge. Certain battery chargers for battery packs that are used in some cordless hand-tools. Chargers for these tools have a warning label stating that dangerous voltages are present at the battery terminals. DO NOT use a modified sine wave inverter with the above two types of equipment. The majority of portable appliances do not have this problem.
Most portable appliances use separate transformers or chargers that plug into AC receptacles to supply a low-voltage DC or AC output to the appliance. If the appliance label states that the charger or adapter produces a low-voltage DC or AC output (30 volts or less), there should be no problem powering that charger or adapter.
Safety Warning: 110 Volts of current can be lethal. Improper use of a power inverter will result in property damage, personal injury, or loss of life. Please read and follow carefully the instructions in the Owner's Manual provided with every inverter for important safety considerations and precautions.
General Safety Precautions and Installation Tips:. Place the inverter on a reasonably flat surface, either horizontally or vertically.
The inverter should not be installed in the engine compartment, due to possible water/oil/acid contamination, and excessive heat under the hood, as well as potential danger from gasoline fumes and the spark that an inverter can occasionally produce. It's best to run battery cables to a dry, cool inverter mounting location. Keep the inverter dry.
Do not expose it to rain or moisture. DO NOT operate the inverter if you, the inverter, the device being operated, or any other surfaces that may come in contact with any power source are wet. Water and many other liquids can conduct electricity which may lead to serious injury or death.
Avoid placing the inverter on or near heating vents, radiators or other sources of heat. Do not place the inverter in direct sunlight. Ideal air temperature is between 50째 and 80째 F. In order to properly disperse heat generated while the inverter is in operation, keep it well ventilated. While in use, maintain several inches of clearance around the top and sides of the inverter. Do not use the inverter near flammable materials.
Do not place the inverter in areas such as battery compartments where fumes or gases may accumulate.