RON'S TECHNICAL TIPS NO. AH AH STAYIN ALIVE STAYIN ALIVE
INVERTERS + Hairdryers, Straighteners and Toasters. (And laptops).
Most people know that you can buy an inverter that will convert 12v van power into 240v home power, so you can use your stuff from home - phone chargers, laptop etc. All very useful if you are not hooked up.
But if you do buy an inverter you MUST be aware of the basic rules. It's not like at home where you can plug anything in and not think about it.
There is a big nuclear power station somewhere supplying your power at home - lots of it - almost unlimited amounts, but in your van all you have is a small battery.
If I try and explain volts and watts, some of you may start to nod off, so I'll just try and sum it up in a couple of statements.
Converting 12v to 240v through an inverter can take a LOT of battery power.
Anything that generates heat - hairdryers, straighteners, toasters, will put a BIG strain on a battery. To run appliances like this you need a proper proffesional install - don't DIY unless you know exactly what you are doing. Badly wired inverter installations can destroy you and your van.
Low power devices, phone chargers, speakers are fine, laptops are in the middle. For your low power devices, a 200w inverter, more or less, will be fine.
Finally PLEASE don't use your cigar socket to power an inverter. I know many people do and get away with it, but it's basically wrong! Cigar sockets are connected to the vehicle battery, not the leisure battery, and too much use and the van won't start. Nothing more than a phone or a GPS should ever be plugged into a cigar socket.
All but the tiniest of inverters should be directly wired to the battery and properly fused.
PS All the above only applies if you want 240v mains power when NOT hooked up. If you are hooked up to a campsite - then just carry on as normal!
For more info read 12v for Dummies in the file section, or on my blog here.
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