OT: dc/ac inverters

[PhilipV]

I'm looking for an inverter or something that will allow me to charge my camera batteries etc in my car. Optimistically it will plug into my cigarette lighter socket with one three point female plug at the other end? Am I being optimistic in hoping this exists, or can be built on a student budget? Or should I rather look at the camping style inverters that are available?

 

[AndreZA]

I bought a GP set, a few years back, that came with the cigarette lighter adapter. The cool thing is it is an 1hour charger.

 

 

Mampara2008-05-08 07:01:28

[Francois]

For purely charging smallish things camping inverters available from most outdoor shops are perfectly good and not too expensive.

 

Try to get one that has a modified sine wave output as it puts less "strain" on your equipment.  If, however you want to run any sensitive sound equipment then you need to go for a full sine wave inverter or else you will pick up a "buzz" in the system.  Been there done that, now got a more expensice full sine wave on as well as my modifie sine wave inverters.

 

He he, got too many toys for my own good

[PhilipV]

thanks francois. yeah, I remember the sound in your van,watching Pink Floyd dvds at full blast in front of the church. or limp bizkit every morning at the epic. I also remember the dvd player, the ps2 as well as the lcd tv. That still is the ultimate road trip van. One day when I grow up...

[Azonic]

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&from=R40&fcid=185&gbr=1&satitle=cigarette+inverter&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=&sabfmts=1&saobfmts=insif&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=34%26fsoo%3D1&fgtp=

 

[Francois]

Ha ha, ja, still getting it even better.  Spent 10 days in it again over this years Epic and then used it again at Dirtopia - useful thing, especially with the toys .

 

If you get stuck, just give me a call and we can make a plan to sort one out for you (inverter that is, not the van, he he).

 

BTW when we going out for a drink again.  sms me, soo ons kan 'n plan maak.

[PhilipV]

cool.thanks,will see what I can find here. I will be spending 24 hours in Tyger Valley this weekend. Doing a 24hr stationary bike marathon with a bunch of students. If you pop in on saturday you might even see me in a clown suit.

Doing a fundraiser for the "kinderhuise" in Western Cape. But ive never really needed a suit or an excuse to clown aroun though.

the drink sounds awesome.will talk to you soon

 

[mountain_lion]

If it is only batteries you want to charge, then get a charger that runs from 12V which you can power straight from the car battery / cigarette lighter.

No need for an inefficient inverter.

 

While you are at it, get a charger which charges the cells individually rather than in set of 2 or 4. This will increase your battery life and performance.

e.g. Hahnel PowerStation QUATTRO

Comes with 4 AA NiMH cells.