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12v Inverters - Best Under $100?

dhcomp

dhcomp

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Ok, so really want to be able to run occasional 110v household current items off my truck.

Battery chargers, computer charger, laser printer, power tools (circular saw?).

Looking for the best bang for my buck for under $100, preferably including cable/wiring cost.

Also trying to stay relatively small size wise, as i want to fit it under the 2nd row seat, in addition to other amps i have.

What are guys running? Any hot ideas?
 
dhcomp said:
Ok, so really want to be able to run occasional 110v household current items off my truck.

Battery chargers, computer charger, laser printer, power tools (circular saw?).

Looking for the best bang for my buck for under $100, preferably including cable/wiring cost.

Also trying to stay relatively small size wise, as i want to fit it under the 2nd row seat, in addition to other amps i have.

What are guys running? Any hot ideas?
Click to expand...

Well I am running a 3000W in my truck, it cost me under $150 but you can easily get one $1500W under $100.
I'll check for you next time I go to a truck stop, it's where I get the best prices when they have a promo on them.
 
Ok, cool. Probably going to order online. Hoping for one that is shorter and wider than one that is narrow and tall.
 
I have a Cobra 1000W that I bought at Loves truck stop in Ripon for like $130 a bunch of years ago. It is small enough that I have it mounted under my front driver seat. You have to remember that you really want the shortest possible amount of cable and the longer the run the larger the wire has to be which translates into bigger cost for cable. Also don't forget that you NEED airflow to keep the inverter cool while you're using it.
 
What can you run off of it...anything?

Always thought one would be good to have but didn`t know if they are any good.
 
max 02 said:
What can you run off of it...anything?

Always thought one would be good to have but didn`t know if they are any good.
Click to expand...

I have run TV's, VCR's, drill, 1000 watt halogen lights, 5hp shop vacuum, I just used it today to run my 15amp sawzall. So far there hasn't been anything that it hasn't ran.
 
Hey I just ran into a flying J to see what they had for you, power direct is a heavy duty yellow unit that looks like the dewalt of the truck stop world.
Anyway they are -300 watt for 29.99 -750 watt for 59.99 and -1500 watt for 139.99. I know the 1500 watt will surge to 3000 watts to start motors like in a saws-all and I know guys running wal-mart refers and tvs with them 24/7.
I saw a cobra 1500 on sale for 60ish a few months ago, but I don't know anyone running one so can't comment on them.
 
Damn I just reread 4*4's post an his cobra and now I wish I had grabbed the one on sale!!!:rolleyes:
I have a little road pro 300 and the label says it surges to 600 watts so I guess that is pretty standard for all of them. this thing has been banging around for three years and charging three or four things all the time and running my laptop with dvd player and never failed me yet. It was like 20 bucks or so.
 
No reason to stray from what people have had success with!

Ordered that one scott. Found it for $120 with the remote power switch.

Really, ill probably end up taking apart the remote switch, figuring out its wiring, and making a smaller one, but for $20, worth the cost.

Now, to find where to mount this damn thing....
 
i got mine from a ta as well.cobra 750 for i think 50 bucks.it runs a lot of stuff.i have yet to blow the fuse on it.ran computer and heater off it.power tools.its nice to have when the power goes out as well.just gota run a car to keep the battery charged.
 
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