Coming in all shapes and budgets, the right one is there for you. From charging your phone to powering your appliances, here’s more about car power inverters.
What Is a Car Power Inverter?
A car power inverter is a device that converts the DC power from your automobile to AC. You can then use it to electrify smaller electronic devices. This is important because DC power and AC power aren’t interchangeable, and you must convert it before plugging in an AC-powered device to a DC outlet and vice-versa.
Power inverters can be found in all shapes and sizes, fitting all types of budgets. These are typically plugged into a 12-volt port or hardwired to your car battery. The appropriate one is out there, ranging from cup holder styles to large units, but what can you do with the additional power?
Uses of a Power Inverter
The uses of a power inverter are rather endless, but some are definitely more practical than others.
1. An Outlet in Your Vehicle
The main benefit of having a power inverter is having an outlet inside your vehicle. This means you can charge and power devices like your cell phones, laptops, and even small TVs without a nearby wall outlet.
2. AC Power for Camping and Other Off-Grid Activities
Due to their versatility, power inverters are more commonly used in camping and off-grid scenarios, making them a key component for any survival enthusiast. They can use the power from your car’s battery to charge your desired appliances. You can even use the inverter to power your tools if you ever need to do repairs on your vehicle.
3. Emergency Electricity
Lastly, with a power inverter, you will always have access to power in an emergency. Whether it’s from a natural disaster or simply a power outage, access to a power inverter allows you to have power when you need it the most. The uses are endless and make owning one highly justifiable.
How to Determine the Wattage You Need
Power inverters are rated up to a specific wattage, only supporting much electric demand. Like the power supply of a computer, you will need a minimum of x wattage depending on your devices. This can be determined with the following equation: Amps multiplied by Volts = Watts.
Something to note when purchasing an inverter is the peak and continuous load. Commonly, power inverters will advertise peak load since it will be the higher number. When using larger appliances, you’ll need to consider the continuous load, as that’s what powers your machine.
Considering these are most likely expensive devices, you want to utilize sine wave technology, which charges your devices efficiently and promotes cleaner electricity, similar to the power you get from your outlets at home.
Theoretically, if you wanted to charge a laptop, it would probably require 110 volts, multiplied by the five amps, which gives you 550 watts. Accounting for other devices, you probably need a 600-watt power inverter at the minimum.
For larger-scale applications, air fryers and refrigerators would probably require a 2000-watt inverter. You can find the voltage your device requires on the power adapter of the desired device or by referring to the product manual.
Should You Get a Power Inverter?
The uses of the power inverter are endless, considering the variety of devices on the market. Still, the practicality of owning a power inverter is invaluable since it may help you in a dire situation.
If you lose power, a power inverter will be your best friend. You’ll find a device best suited for your needs and budget, with prices ranging from $30 to a couple of hundred dollars. Whether you need it for leisure or necessity, additional power is just at your fingertips.
