Posted by Ilene C. Seidel on 9/21/08 7:40am
Msg #264891

I need help on an inverter

Ok so what's the difference between the sine inverter and a regular one. I just bought a Cyber Power ac mobile inverter with a surge protection with 150 Watts. My husband and Best Buy told me it would be enough to run my laser printer off of it but they are not experienced. Can someone tell me the best way to go. I'm trying to do this as inexpensive as possible. Thanks.

Reply by Becca_FL on 9/21/08 8:01am
Msg #264892

Do a search. This has been discussed over and over.

Your husband and the Big Box guy are very wrong about a 150 watt inverter being able to run a laser printer.

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 9/21/08 8:11am
Msg #264893

Re: Do a search. This has been discussed over and over.

Becca I did a search I'm just confused with the sine vs other. The sine inverter is very expensive.
However based on the search sine is the only way to go.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 9/21/08 8:15am
Msg #264896

Read Msg #202670

and search for others...there have been some great threads about this, including one by, I believe, Margaret, who outlined EXACTLYwhat you need to go totally mobile without killing your car. I would but I'm still getting my caffeine fix for the day..

Honestly, from what I've read in the past, the 150 watt isn't going to cut it and pure sine inverter IS the only way to go...remember, you get what you pay for.

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 9/21/08 8:45am
Msg #264899

Re: Read Msg #202670

Thanks Linda, last Friday I was working the other end of town, the best day I'd had in a year by the way and had to travel an hour out of my way to pu another loan package. It's not the first time this has happened. I think it's worth the investment when I weigh out the auto, gas etc.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 9/21/08 12:24pm
Msg #264910

Try #44007 and #67875 -- older but good info! n/m

Reply by DogmongerCA on 9/22/08 8:08am
Msg #264952

Re: Do a search. This has been discussed over and over.

I am certainly no expert, but I have researched this previously.
1. Pure Sine is your only option. Without it you risk doing damage to sensitive electronics.
2.You need a inverter that is three to four times more wattage than your printers wattage. Their is a huge spike in wattage at startup, I would guess from the fuser.
3. Here are some attractive options for pricing, http://shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQ_nkwZPureQ20SineQ20InverterQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZR10QQ_mdoZQQ_sopZ1
4. Have it professionally installed, car stero shop, good mechanic. If not installed correctly, you could cause severe damage to your alternator, battery, and electrical system.


Good luck

Reply by Joan_OH on 9/21/08 8:14am
Msg #264895

Yes, they are both VERY wrong!

Do some research on the printer you are going to use. See how much power it needs. I have never seen a laser that pulls as little as 150. I have used several different inverters. At this time, I have a pure-sine 1000/2000 wired to the battery with a 0 gage wire and fuse. It will not run my commercial printers (HP 2300, 4100, 4200), but I have run and HP 1200, HP 1300, HP 3030, HP 3050, HP 3330 with no issues.

My brother has a 500/1000 inverter (not pure sine) wired to the battery with a 6 gage wire and he can run the HP 3050 without any issues - thus far. He has never had any issues with the HP 1200. A non pure sine can be damaging to the printer due to the power fluctuations, but I did not have that issue. Keep in mind, the further you have it from the battery source, the smaller gage wiring you will need. My brother's in on the floor of the front seat, mine is in the back of my SUV.

You may know this, but the smaller the gage wire, the thicker it is. My 0 gage is twice as thick (and twice as expensive) as my brothers 6 gage. The further away your printer is from the power source, the thicker gage wire you will need. In my case, my inverter came with instructions on which gage to use depending on how many feet away it will be.

I went to a shop where they install stereo systems in vehicles to have mine installed and I would recommend you have someone professionally install it - and for obvious reasons - NOT Best Buy.

......And as Becca says, do a search - this has been discussed plenty in the past.

Joan-OH

Reply by Joan_OH on 9/21/08 8:21am
Msg #264897

Here is the one I have - see link

http://www.topsalesdepot.com/10wapusiwapo.html

It broke after about 7 months and I called about warranty and they shipped a new one out overnight.

Joan-OH

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 9/21/08 8:48am
Msg #264900

Re: Yes, they are both VERY wrong!

Thanks so much guys, this is a great help. So back to the store with returns I go.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 9/21/08 9:32am
Msg #264902

Ilene check out Joan's link

Very good pricing on a 1000 w inverter.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 9/21/08 10:08am
Msg #264907

BTW - going to add here....

if you're going to do it right, I'd have it professionally installed - that way you can tell them exactly what you need to do and they can address your concerns ahead of time. That's just me, though - I'd rather have to go back and fight with a professional installer than with my husband, relative or neighbor!!! MHO

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 9/21/08 4:21pm
Msg #264919

Re: BTW - going to add here....

I went to a installer today he said he would install one for $45.00 which sounds very reasonable to me. The inverter store looks like they have the best price.
Thanks everyone for all the input. I guess I'm being optimistic about this buz. Hopefully it will get better for all of us.

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 9/21/08 5:14pm
Msg #264924

Good Printer to use

I have one in my car. I bought on E-bay an HP 1320 single tray printer for not too much money. I like it because it is light enough that I can remove or place it in my van if needs be. Think it weights about 30 pounds so if I only have to take it from the van to the garage I'm OK. The down side is you also have to remember to put your computer in the car every time!! I do not have an air card (the jobs are too spotty to invest $60 per month on a two year contract) so I went into google and googled free Wi-Fi sites in my county and printed them out and carry them with my computer. Also most McDonalds have Wi-Fi that you can pay for as needs be and they are all over the place. I don't go to Starbucks because they have T-Mobile and you can't pay as you go.

Reply by John_NorCal on 9/21/08 10:13pm
Msg #264947

Re: WI-FI spots

One thing that I've done when I've needed wifi access, assuming that your local library provides free wifi, I've gone to the nearest library. If they aren't open I just park myself outside their door and gotten onto their wifi.

Reply by PAW on 9/21/08 8:23pm
Msg #264941

Cannon laser engine: 85 watts stand-by, 350-500 watts print

and upwards of 750 watts peak surge.

Reply by Traci/MD on 9/22/08 3:19pm
Msg #264978

I have a 2400walts. The brand is solar. I purchase this at Fisher auto parts. I think I paid $800 for it back in 2006. Make sure your installer knows what he is doing. This could cause a fire.