Small watt inverter

[Peter1949]

Looking to recharge or run small gadgets like bluetooth speaker or I pad.i have no alternator but have a 6 watt solar panel that keeps the battery charged for bilge pump and interior lights.
Hoping to find something simple to connect to the battery terminals
Thanks pete

[RaymondR]

You can buy charger gadgets which run from a cig lighter socket direct from the battery from computer stores. Using an inverter to raise low DC voltage to mains voltage AC so you can use the mains charger is probably not as safe or efficient on a small boat.

[Ol Dave]

Just to clarify, you have 2 batteries on board, a starting battery and a house battery and you would be attaching the inverter to the house?

In a word I think would be happy with an inexpensive inverter from Home Depot or Lowe's for the uses you mentioned (charging). The Stanley model PC809 has 800 watts of power, 2 AC outlets plus a USB port.

The best inverters generate a sine wave electrical pattern. Cheapo units make a square pattern that some appliances and many computers don't like and won't operate properly. In between there are "modified sine" or "synthetic sine" models that usually do the trick.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Pete7]

One of the small "coke can" 100w watt inverters will do an ipad.

We use on of these but they are made in China and sold under lots of different labels.

Sterling Power - Pro Power Q 12v, 100w Inverter [PN: I12100]

It will run a power hungry Dell laptop or charge up the batteries on 12v tools etc.

Make sure the supply to it can't be left on when you are away from the boat or it will flatten your batteries.

[StuM]

6 Watt solar panel?

That won't keep up with the draw from a old 1 Amp charger let alone the 2+ Amp chargers that most such devices use these days.

OK only if you have a large battery and the boat sits unused most of the time.

[Drift Woods]

I'm plugged into a cheap Schumacher I bought at Walmart right now. Its 100 watts with the cigarette lighter plug in and 400 if I use the battery clamps. Its been in use every day this month without any problem.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Drift Woods

I'm plugged into a cheap Schumacher I bought at Walmart right now. Its 100 watts with the cigarette lighter plug in and 400 if I use the battery clamps. Its been in use every day this month without any problem.

Schumacher made the very worst chargers, so bad many of us actually warned about them. Followed closely by the older Pro Mariner and Charles chargers.

Glad it's workin' for you, but I'd keep a close eye on it.

[Drift Woods]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Schumacher made the very worst chargers, so bad many of us actually warned about them. Followed closely by the older Pro Mariner and Charles chargers.

Glad it's workin' for you, but I'd keep a close eye on it.

Stu, I heard they can be problematic but I just use it to charge my phones, tablets and 20 watt radio. The USB chargers suck because they take 3 times as long to charge with the low amperage.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by RaymondR

............... Using an inverter to raise low DC voltage to mains voltage AC so you can use the mains charger is probably not as safe or efficient on a small boat.

Did you just suggest what it sounds like you suggested?

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by rwidman

Did you just suggest what it sounds like you suggested?

He did. Not sure why its not safe though efficient? probably not going 12 > 120 > 12v. however, it is the cheap convenient option if only occasional use is required.

Pete