AC/DC Power Inverter from my Minivan... which to get (1 Viewer)

[Brian Mansure]

I would like to power my laptop computer or a small 9" TV/DVD combo unit in my minivan for road trips, which make/model power inverter would you suggest?
I would like the inverter to have dual outputs incase I have reason to power more then one item at a time.

I have found three major brands...
Vector, TrippLite and Portawattz.

Any of these better than the other?

Thanks,
Brian

 

[Micah Cohen]

Only get the stuff with Bon Scott. Everything else is lame.

Oh, I am totally lame, too. By the way. Had to say it.

MC

 

[Philip_G]

get a 12v adapter for your laptop
do you already have the TV/VCR combo? Some of those probably run on 12vdc?

 

[Bill Kane]

my son in law is an electrical engineer who operates an off-road expedition guide business and tests all this stuff. Here is what he advises:

They are all pretty much the same if they say "modified sine wave." I've
owned 3 or 4 brands and they all have the same features and have never had
one fail. they have built in self protection that really works. As I see
it, only one or two companies make them and the USA retailers just add the
glitz and package.
If you're a "gold wire" person, then you will want to go for the "true sine
wave" versions at 2 or 3 times the cost and volume per watt. I see
virtually no advantages to these, but have never tested same.
When I tested them, I tried virtually anything and everything I could find
with a plug and under the max rated watts - pencil sharpeners, vacuum
cleaners, soldering irons, TVs, radios, electric drills, fans, ad infinitum.
The only thing I found that wouldn't work was my battery charger. I figured
out why, but it's pretty involved to explain.
Performance wise, add up the total watts that he thinks he will
consume, then more or less double it and buy that. Buy the continuous watts
and not the peak or surge watts. I'm inclined to buy one with a cooling fan
just to be on the safe side. They have thermal protection, but why push it.
Cost wise, look at dollars per watt and go for the bargain.
Harry Lewellyn, Link Removed

 

[Brian Mansure]

Thanks for all the replies.

Bill, I really appreciate you asking your son-in-law for professional advise. Please pass along my thanks to him.

Brian