Inverter advice please

[Terri Footloose]

Hi All, would you help me choose an inverter. I'd like to run my slow cooker 120watts and maybe a kettle and TV. (not all at the same time). My setup: Benimar Mileo 231, with solar panel. From what I've read, a pure sine 1000w would be ok, but I think that would have to be connected to the leisure battery and I'd prefer to use 12v cig plug - but I'm guessing the inverter would then have to 'modified sine'. Your help needed. Thanks.

 

[Jamesh]

You could get a cheap Aldi / Lidl 300w one which will run a kettle / slow cooker. However I'd use a kettle on the hob.

Also the TV needs a pure sine wave inverter due to the electrics. Better to get a 12v TV tbh.

 

[Tombola]

the main thing is the kettle youd need a 1000w probably 2000 for that for a decent kettle.
so if you went 12v tv, and kettle on the gas, you would only need a 300- 500w inverter for the slow cooker, but check what amount ah of batteries do you have, and what sort, lead, lithium etc

 

[the1andonly]

I have run a Slowcooker off a 150W MSW invertor plugged in to front socket (whilst driving). for a 150w cooker may need 300w
Again i would recommend gas kettle and 12v telly.

 

[MisterB]

there are a few threads on here discussing the same issue, i ended up getting 2000w pure sine wave for a 600w microwave, but havent tested it properly in the real world. i suspect (as do a few others) that i will need to get a fair amount of lithium for it to function without destroying my batteries. in the process of fitting a b2b to help in recharging my current batteries.

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[funflair]

I would forget the cig lighter option and wire in to batteries with decent cables, BUT how much battery have you got and how will you recharge what you use.

 

[busbuddy]

I would forget the cig lighter option and wire in to batteries with decent cables,

What he said

 

[DBK]

I think you need to step back and re-assess things. In no particular order the kettle is the problem as this means a heavy duty inverter. A modified sine wave one would be fine but most of us just use a gas kettle and there is no chance of running such an inverter off a cigarette lighter socket. The currents involved can't be handled by the simple friction contacts they use.

The TV won't use as much power but getting a 12 volt model is much more efficient but if you want to go the 240v route a sine wave inverter will be safest.

The slow-cooker I have to bite my tongue over from a culinary perspective but if you want to use one then as above a pure sine inverter may be needed because of the electronics in them.

 

[the1andonly]

but if you want to use one then as above a pure sine inverter may be needed because of the electronics in them.

Ive used our Tower 120W with a 150W MSW for a number of years. also a unbranded larger one on a 800W MSW. I cant see too much electronics in a slo cooker.

 

[Terri Footloose]

Thanks so much for all your help. I've read through everything and it all helps. I agree - kettle will run on gas, the TV is 12v Vision Plus so should be ok, which leaves slow cooker while driving. So it sounds like maybe 750 - 1000w modified sine inverter. Can this plug into cig plug? The leisure battery is difficult to get to and cables around the floor worry me.

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[Ivory55]

You could end up frying the wires or blowing a fuse on a cigarette lighter with that

 

[Richard n Ann]

Thanks so much for all your help. I've read through everything and it all helps. I agree - kettle will run on gas, the TV is 12v Vision Plus so should be ok, which leaves slow cooker while driving. So it sounds like maybe 750 - 1000w modified sine inverter. Can this plug into cig plug? The leisure battery is difficult to get to and cables around the floor worry me.

No more than 150w on a cigar socket, makes no difference if it's modified SW or pure SW.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Most cigarette lighter type sockets are quite limited in the power they can supply, perhaps a 10Amp at 12V current. About the biggest inverter that is able to run off such sockets is 150W, and I wouldn't want to be doing even that for very long seeing the thin size of wires often used. Remember that a cigarette lighter socket was originally intended for an accessory that was used for very short burst periods rather than the longer continued use of an inverter.

You will need to permanently wire any larger inverter.

With larger inverters, look at what current draw your battery(s) can support, often the C rate. Not only do you need to be thinking of how much capacity your system has, but if you try and take out too much too quickly your battery(s) will be damaged, or simply not keep up so your inverter would inevitably shut down.

 

[Jonny1953]

The slow-cooker I have to bite my tongue over from a culinary perspective but if you want to use one then as above a pure sine inverter may be needed because of the electronics in them.

You can't beat a slow cooker for brisket or lamb shanks, 5 to 6 hours and they are perfect

 

[Otter Spotter]

Thanks so much for all your help. I've read through everything and it all helps. I agree - kettle will run on gas, the TV is 12v Vision Plus so should be ok, which leaves slow cooker while driving. So it sounds like maybe 750 - 1000w modified sine inverter. Can this plug into cig plug? The leisure battery is difficult to get to and cables around the floor worry me.

the invertor needs to be fed from leisure battery, and the cig plug is direct from car battery as others have said cig connector is a poor fitting, it will only work whilst you have ignition on so if you stop somewhere and leave van your cooker will stop too.
Find a friendly van convertor to hook up an invertor to your leisure battery and have a 3 pin socket fitted. It will be so much easier and you can use the socket for other things too.

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[Terri Footloose]

Thank you all. Will change my choice and forget cig plug. Thank you Otter Spotter, very helpful.