Comments on: Power When Away From Home | Using a Power Inverter http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html Keep up to date with battery maintainence tips, latest tech, and how-to articles from the pros at BatteryStuff.com Mon, 08 Jun 2026 23:31:05 -0700 en-us Copyright 2013 BatteryStuff.com Mon, 08 Jun 2026 23:31:05 -0700 By: Jack http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-134 Jack Thu, 21 Mar 2013 10:40:09 -0700 I want to use an inverter to power a 500 watt cartridge heater, for the purpose of vaporizing gasoline. Will a modified sine wave do the trick, and will it give continuous voltage over a long period of time (with the engine running)?

Thanks

]]> By: Jeremy Fear http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-135 Jeremy Fear Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:54:30 -0700 A modified sine wave inverter that is rated at 500+ watts will sustain the 500 watt load, provided the battery bank it is hooked to is capable of powering it. The real question is wether your specific load is capable of accepting a square wave, or if it needs a pure sine wave instead. That is a question for the manufacturer of the unit.

]]> By: Roy http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-136 Roy Mon, 25 Mar 2013 14:47:34 -0700 Where you describe the differences between pure sine wave and modified sine wave. You say, and I quote; ‘The difference is this: The modified sine wave is natural and the wave is curved.’ you mean pure sine wave there I think. Needs correcting guys. Thanks, Roy.

]]> By: Jeremy Fear http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-137 Jeremy Fear Tue, 26 Mar 2013 09:59:45 -0700 Good catch! Fixed. :)

]]> By: Luis m. http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-141 Luis m. Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:57:00 -0700 Can I run a house fan for 10 hours with an inveter

]]> By: hilton http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-147 hilton Thu, 27 Jun 2013 00:58:45 -0700 I love this program my dear keep it up.

]]> By: Ray http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-167 Ray Tue, 10 Dec 2013 05:56:41 -0800 I want to connect a home theater system in my car which is 1000watts total rms and it 120 volts … what inverter should i use for it?? please help

]]> By: prince http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-189 prince Sun, 11 May 2014 10:40:36 -0700 i love this programme. i need more education on the use of inverters

]]> By: toni gibbons http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-190 toni gibbons Mon, 12 May 2014 08:15:30 -0700 How can I use aninverter safely at a festival to power a hair dryer and hair straightners. I do not want to risk not being able to start the car when it comes to the end of the festival and time to come home.

]]> By: Jeremy http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-191 Jeremy Mon, 12 May 2014 11:52:08 -0700 The only correct way to do so, is to run the inverter through a separate battery, which is charged using an isolator, to keep the starting and accessory battery separated.

]]> By: Ken http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-404 Ken Thu, 21 Apr 2016 07:34:38 -0700 I have a dodge ram and I think it’s 100 watt alternator. With 1000 watt inverter and with someone holding the gas peddle down a bit, I can run a body grinder or other small tools. At an idle I’ve operated my tv,stereo,Xbox and a small light all at once but another tip is to avoid extension light extension cords

]]> By: Tech http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-405 Tech Thu, 21 Apr 2016 11:52:38 -0700 The preferred method would be to utilize a Battery Isolator, and create another battery back to draw off of. That way the isolator could determine if your battery was low and send the appropriate amperage to that battery pack if it was available.

]]> By: Pete raven http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-423 Pete raven Tue, 10 May 2016 17:17:41 -0700 I will be buying a deep cycle battery to power my busking set up with. The output on the amp is 280watts. I want to power the amp for around 6 hours and would like a suitable inverter and charger to go with it. Can anybody please help? The science has boggled me

]]> By: TECH http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-427 TECH Thu, 12 May 2016 09:50:45 -0700 Pete, we do have various calculators that can help you out on our website. As you mentioned an Inverter I’m going to assume this device runs off of AC Power, so I would suggest our Calculator | AC to DC amperage conversion run through an Inverter. Just because the device pulls that on the AC side the amperage pulled on the DC side is quite higher than expected due to the loss of inverting the power, and the change in voltage. Once you have the Amps from the calculator you can plug those results into our Calculator | Sizing a 12 Volt Battery to a Load. This will tell you what Amp/Hr your battery pack needs to be. In regards to the inverter you just want to get one that is rated higher than your device will pull. Also pay attention to the surge ratings, as even though your device may only take 280 watts to run, you may want to ask the manufacturer if it surges higher than that to get it started. If it does you inveter must have a surge rating greater than the devices rating to cover that load initially.

]]> By: c d http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-438 c d Tue, 24 May 2016 22:19:22 -0700 When hooking up a DC to ac converter to two batteries in parallel, can the converter be hooked up to just one of the batteries or does it need to be connected to the positive on battery 1 and negative on battery 2?

]]> By: Tech http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-441 Tech Thu, 26 May 2016 14:13:21 -0700 In order to keep the batteries balanced it is best to hook up to the batteries at the beginning and end of the battery pack. So the positive on one battery, and the negative on the other battery.

]]> By: Michael Long http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-505 Michael Long Wed, 24 Aug 2016 08:10:15 -0700 I have 4 deep cycle batteries wired in parallel with a 1000 watt inverter. Can I charge the battery bank while using the inverter? How do I prevent the inverter from just pulling power from the charger?
Thank You.

]]> By: Steve http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-509 Steve Sun, 28 Aug 2016 08:54:19 -0700 Is it at all possible to run a power tool (drill or grinder) off an inverter with engine running?
I have a ford ranger with a 12v outlet in the boot I’d love to be able to use the truck as a mobile generator??

]]> By: Scottie http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-545 Scottie Sun, 09 Oct 2016 16:18:34 -0700 I want to power a 120v 60hz 2.7amp fan using a battery and inverter. Need some guidance on what size battery and inverter to get. I need it to power the fan for weekends at the ballfields. Trying to not have to purchase a generator. Thanks

]]> By: Tech http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-696 Tech Tue, 17 Jan 2017 08:30:48 -0800 No, as the charger pulls more energy than it puts out. So you will continually go into the negative, and eventually deplete you battery.

]]> By: Nick C http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-555 Nick C Wed, 19 Oct 2016 07:47:16 -0700 I need to power an appliance that is 120V 840W 60hz (and i believe 7 amps based on A=W/V). I have a deep cycle battery and a DC to AC inverter. I am pretty unknowledgable about electricity and this stuff. The inverter I have says 1000w power inverter, input DC 12v, output AC 110V-120V 60hz… When i plug my appliance into my battery/inverter set up, it works for about a minute and then turns off even though i can continue to use other smaller stuff (guitar amps) in my set up. What can I do to fix this. Any help is appreciated.

]]> By: Nick http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-562 Nick Mon, 24 Oct 2016 00:43:10 -0700 My car battery completed died when I was installing a system I have a 2000 watt converter and a battery charger if I use the charger and converter will the charger charge it more then the power it’s draining?

]]> By: James http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-569 James Sun, 30 Oct 2016 15:36:11 -0700 I’ve heard of 12 volt light bulbs. Can they be connected directly to a marine battery? How would this be done?

]]> By: DEB http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-588 DEB Mon, 14 Nov 2016 04:10:32 -0800 Hi, my hubby tried my ghd hair straightener with his inverter and now ghd wont work. Is there anything I can do? (apart from kill him!!!)

]]> By: Luigi http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-614 Luigi Fri, 16 Dec 2016 18:19:18 -0800 Can I power a battery charger from an inverter to charge the batteries that are powering the inverter?

]]> By: Tech http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-694 Tech Tue, 17 Jan 2017 08:21:17 -0800 That shouldn’t happen… Even if the inverter was a modified, and your hair straighter wanted a cleaner power such as pure sine, it should not of damaged the hair straighter. It is really hard to say what happened. Possibly (???) the straighter possibly saw some brown out condition through the inverter, and which damaged the unit.

]]> By: Tech http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-670 Tech Mon, 16 Jan 2017 10:18:16 -0800 If your using a charger converter power-supply, then yes they can charge while using the inverter assuming the load you are pulling is not in excess to the amp rating of the charger. However if the charger is on it will act like a power-supply and supply amperage when requested, as that is what they are designed to do.

]]> By: Tech http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-685 Tech Mon, 16 Jan 2017 13:16:47 -0800 Unfortunately, no. A charger will pull more energy than it can put out as part of conversion process. So you will always be in the negative.

]]> By: Tech http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-686 Tech Mon, 16 Jan 2017 13:35:41 -0800 Yes, there are 12 volt light bulbs meant to run off a 12 volt system, such as a battery. As far as how to connect them… We don’t sell those type of accessories, but there are units meant to be wired into a 12v system, and there are units that simply come with alligator clamps directly to a battery. I would select a unit that meets your needs.

]]> By: Tech http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-677 Tech Mon, 16 Jan 2017 12:27:55 -0800 I would suggest reading our article called: How to Determine Battery Sizes when using Pure Sine Wave Inverters. This article explains how the battery packs is determined, and links to calculators to help you determine the battery pack.

]]> By: Tech http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-683 Tech Mon, 16 Jan 2017 13:10:00 -0800 The 7 Amps you are figuring is off the AC side, but remember you are drawing off a 12v battery:

840 Watts / 12.5 = 67.2 Amps

Add your inefficiencies for the inverter… We assume 15% unless told otherwise: 77.28 Amp an hour!

Is your battery capable of handling that load?

Check using our Calculator | Determine Run Time for Specific Load

]]> By: Tech http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-684 Tech Mon, 16 Jan 2017 13:11:49 -0800 Most 12v outlets on vehicles can run no more than 300 watts. Any load greater than than would blow the fuse in the vehicle to the 12v outlet. You would have to check the voltage on your drill, but most would exceed that rating.

]]> By: John http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-1268 John Fri, 15 Oct 2021 07:33:55 -0700 By: Tech http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/using-a-power-inverter.html#comment-1269 Tech Tue, 02 Nov 2021 10:26:45 -0700 John, while it can be done items like heating blankets or pads do tend to draw a bit of energy. While an amp or two may not seem like much for the AC side on the DC side that equates to approximately 11 amps DC per 1 amp AC. Depending how much energy the heat tape pulls it could require a very large battery. Inverters are great for short term pulls of energy, but for constant draws they can deplete a battery very quickly. I would take a look and see if you can find some 12v powered tape as they might be more efficient. Otherwise your more than welcome to use our two calculators to try to estimate your battery size. You will first need to use the Conversion Calculator from AC to DC, and then you can use the Sizing a 12v Battery to a Load Calculator.

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