What Is Power Inverter?
Power inverter is a device Ā that turns your vehicle batteryās direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) ā the kind of electricity you have in outlets in your house, that are connected to the energy grid.
Having a power inverter means you can plug in your appliances and devices, and power them like you would through an electricity outlet in a house.
Features of Power Inverters
- Power inverters are especially useful if you are setting up a solar power system ā they convert energy from the sun into electricity you can use to power your gadgets within your vehicle. This is renewable energy that isnāt a drain on your best car battery.
- Power inverters arenāt just for vehicles ā if you have a small cottage or outhouse, theyāre very useful for setting up a small power source there.
- Many (but not all) power inverters come with USB outlets, useful for charging on the road without having to cart around adaptors and large plugs. For ease of use, get one compatible with USB.
- Many power inverters have digital screens which show you how much energy has been consumed and information about battery voltage. Itās useful to know these things at a glance, so consider getting one that has a screen.
Modified or Pure Sine Wave Inverter?
There are two main types of inverter ā the modified sine wave, and the pure sine wave.
- Modified Sine Wave:Ā These tend to be cheaper, and less powerful. However, theyāre good for most everyday electronics you will want to use, just not very large ones.
- Pure Sine Wave:Ā These are compatible with pretty much all electronics, gadgets, and appliances, and produce a powerful current most like the one supplied by the electric grid. These are the most common choice, because theyāre more likely to be compatible with anything you need to plug in.