Power Inverter FAQ
Please read the Frequently Asked Questions below to help answer any questions you may have about our 8ZED Power Inverters.- What is a Power Inverter?
- What are the different types of inverters?
- What is a suitable power source to operate an inverter?
- How do I connect to a power source?
- Why is it important to ensure the battery leads are not connected back to front?
- Do power inverters store power?
- How do I determine a suitable load for appliances?
- How do I connect an appliance & run the inverter?
- What is the right environment and appropriate way to set up the placement of my inverter?
- How do I check or change the fuses?
- How long will a vehicle battery last while powering an 8ZED Inverter?
- My 8ZED Power Inverter will not run my appliance, even though the listed power requirement of the appliance is less than the inverter size
- Why do some power tools not function correctly?
- Can I connect lights with dimmers to the inverter?
- Can I run fluorescent lighting from my inverter?
- Can I run laptop computers with my 8ZED power inverter?
- I have a 170W 240 volt gas fridge, is the 8ZED 300 watt power inverter suitable to run my fridge while I am travelling, using my car battery?
- Why won’t my inverter work when I use a rechargeable battery or an appliance with a rechargeable battery?
- Why is my inverter making a whistling noise?
- Why does my inverter turn its self off?
- My power inverter is powering my portable television, but I cannot get a clear picture?
- Why does the fan only operate sometimes on the 8ZED power inverters?
- Can power inverters be used directly off a battery whilst the car is switched off?
- I would like to run an electric blanket and a small tv in my caravan, total watts about 400. What size inverter would you suggest and suit my needs?
- What size inverter do I need to buy for a 600 watt microwave?
- Can I power a basic kettle to boil water and a radio with an inverter for my cigarette lighter?
- What are the measurements of the 8ZED 300 Watt inverter?
- Can I power my laptop and digital camera battery with a 8ZED 300 Watt inverter?
What is a Power Inverter?
8ZED Power Inverters are devices designed for powering household appliances from a car, or similar battery. They convert 12V DC battery power to 240V AC mains power and are an ideal source of portable mains power. Being compact and portable, power inverters can be used in cars, caravans, boats, 4WD’s and trucks. Using a power inverter for household appliances is a much cheaper option than purchasing specialized 12V appliances for those times when mains power is not available.What are the different types of inverters?
There are two different types of power inverters: modified sine wave and true sine wave inverters.The difference between the two types is how close the output power replicates standard AC mains power.
To gain a clearer understanding of the difference in output between mains power, modified sine wave and true sine wave inverters, check out the diagrams below.
A true (or pure) sine wave inverter is far more complex than a modified sine wave inverter and as a result is more expensive item to purchase. Modified sine wave power inverters are more common due to the fact that most electric appliances do not require a true sine wave power source. True sine wave inverters are reserved for use on medical equipment and other sensitive electrical applications.
8ZED Power Inverters are available across a range of power output levels to power a range of appliances. Small power inverters, such as the 120 Watt & 300 Watt 8ZED Power Inverters, are designed for powering one small low power electrical appliance whereas larger units are suitable for powering multiple small appliances at the same time or just one larger appliance.
Power inverters are not an efficient way to run appliances that require very high power requirements eg: electric heaters, stoves, kettles and air conditioners. This is due to their high current draw and therefore rapid battery depletion.
What is a suitable power source to operate an inverter?
To operate an inverter and supply power to an appliance, a suitable 12V DC power supply is required. This can be a vehicle, boat or caravan battery, portable power pack or an independent 12V lead acid battery. For most applications, a deep cycle battery is recommended for best performance.How do I connect to a power source?
CAUTION: Before making any connections ensure inverter is switched off and has no AC appliances plugged into the AC output sockets.- Connect the ring terminal on the negative lead (Black) to the negative (Black) DC terminal on the back of the inverter.
- Connect the battery clip (Black) or ring terminal on the other end of the lead to the negative DC supply or (-) battery terminal.
- Connect the ring terminal on the positive lead (Red) to the positive (Red) DC terminal on the back of the inverter.
- Connect the battery clip (Red) or ring terminal on the other end of the lead to the positive DC supply or (+) battery terminal.
Why is it important to ensure the battery leads are not connected back to front?
The 8ZED inverter uses highly reliable electronics to convert DC battery power to AC mains power. If you accidentally connect the inverter to the battery incorrectly a large current will be drawn by the inverter which will blow the protection fuses, as this occurs some of the high current could damage the sensitive electronic components. Because of this risk it is important to always double-check the battery polarity before making any connections.Do power inverters store power?
Power Inverters cannot store power, they just act as a ‘converter’ to change the power from a 12VDC power source to 240V AC. This enables you to use normal household appliances and tools from your vehicle.How do I determine a suitable load for appliances?
The 120W, 300W and 600W 8ZED Power Inverters are fitted with 1 approved AS/NZS power socket. 1200W to 3000W 8ZED Power Inverters have 2 approved AS/NZS Australian socket outlets where either or both sockets can be used, as long as the combined load (watts required) does not exceed the inverters continuous power rating (please refer to the Inverter Selection Guide for more information).Every appliance has a rating plate which shows users the amount of power (watts) required to run the appliance or the current (amps) drawn under normal use.
To work out which 8ZED power inverter you need to run your appliances, please use our Power Inverter Selection Table. Just tick the boxes for the appliances you want to use, and the table will calculate the right power inverter for your needs.
NOTE: Some appliances that use an electric motor or transformer may draw 2 to 6 times their rating when first turned on, known as inductive loads. These appliances are the most difficult for inverters to run.
If using these appliances with a power inverter, it can often be a matter of trial and error to see what size inverter they will require in order to run, but if you are in doubt always err on the side of a larger inverter.
How do I connect an appliance & run the inverter?
- Connect the appliance AC plug to the inverter AC outlet socket.
- Switch the inverter ON, the green power light will illuminate to indicate operation.
- Turn the appliance ON, if the appliance is fitted with an On/Off switch always switch the inverter on before switching the appliance on and always turn the appliance off before switching the inverter off.
- When not in use, turn the inverter off.
What is the right environment and appropriate way to set up the placement of my inverter?
In order for your inverter to operate properly, it should be placed on a flat surface e.g. on the floor or seat of a car. The inverter also should only be used in locations that are:- DRY – Keep the 8ZED inverter away from water
- COOL – Ideal ambient air temperature should be between 10 degrees and 33 degrees Celsius (50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit) The inverter should not be placed near a heating vent or any device that produces heat above room temperature. If avoidable, do not place the inverter in direct sunlight.
- VENTILATED – Please allow two inches of clearance around the 8ZED inverter for air flow. Do not place anything on or over the inverter during operation.
- SAFTEY – Do not use the inverter near flammable materials or in any location which may accumulate fumes or gases, such as the battery compartment of your car, truck, RV or boat. These inverters are not suitable for use while travelling using battery clamps because the length of the wire cables and battery clamps are not designed for this operation. If you wish to operate the 8ZED inverter while moving, it must be permanently mounted and wired.
How do I check or change the fuses?
The 300W and 600W 8ZED power inverters are fitted with one external fuse holder. If the unit is not functioning, disconnect the inverter from the DC power source and AC appliances. Remove the black fuse caps and the fuses to check if they have blown. The 120W, 1200W, 1800W, 2400W and the 3000W all have their fuses contained within the actual unit. If they blow, only a qualified electrical technician should open up the inverter, inspect and replace fuses if needed. You can replace the blown fuses with the spares provided or you can use a standard automotive blade fuse of the correct rating.THE DC SUPPLY MUST BE DISCONNECTED BEFORE ANY REPAIR WORK IS UNDERTAKEN, THEN TURN THE ON/OFF SWITCH OF THE INVERTER “ON” TO DISCHARGE THE CAPACITORS.
How long will a vehicle battery last while powering an 8ZED Inverter?
The typical vehicle battery has a minimum operating time of 1 to 2 hours, depending on the current needed for the appliance in use and the size of the battery. We advise that the operator start the vehicle every hour to recharge the vehicle’s battery system. This will prevent unexpected shut downs of equipment and will ensure that there is always sufficient battery capacity to start the vehicles engine.My 8ZED Power Inverter will not run my appliance, even though the listed power requirement of the appliance is less than the inverter size.
Electrical appliances can be separated into three load types by the way they draw energy (current) from their power supply. The 3 load types are “Resistive”, “Inductive” and “Capacitive” appliances. Some appliances may draw all three types of power, in which case all should be considered.- Resistive Loads – for example a standard incandescent lights (wire filament), always draws a constant power (watts) from the power supply, that is a 100 Watt light will draw approximately 100 Watts from the power supply at all times. A Resistive load appliance is the easiest.
- Inductive Loads – for example a fridge (electric motor), requires a large surge of power (surge current) to start and then typically draws consistent power once running. Inductive load appliances contain coils of wire such as motors, transformers, ballasts and solenoids. When the power is first turned on these coils of wire draw a large surge current which allows for the formation of the magnetic field or flux required for these appliances to work. The magnetic flux is in effect, stored energy. Most common inductive appliances are: fridges, air compressors, transformers, pumps, power tools & fluorescent lights. These types of appliances can draw between 2 and 6 times their normal running power at start up. For example, to start a 200 Watt fridge you may need a 600 to 1200 Watt 8ZED inverter.
- Capacitive Loads – for example TV’s, may require a large surge of current to start, especially if they have not been turned on for a while. This is often due to large capacitors in the power supply that must be quickly charged when the appliance is turned on. If the appliance is not used for several days these capacitors slowly lose their charge. Resetting the inverter a couple of times may overcome this problem and allow you to run these appliances.
- Some appliances such as large refrigerators, air conditioners or other pump driven appliances, have extremely high demand for start-up current due to an inductive motor which must start under load. Appliances of this type are not recommended for use with an inverter. They should be powered by an engine driven generator.
Why do some power tools not function correctly?
Some newer power tools use Pulse Width Modulator (PWM) variable speed controllers to vary the tool’s speed as the trigger is squeezed. These power tools switch the power on and off very quickly in a similar way to the functioning of the inverter. Because of this, some may not function properly with the inverter’s modified sine wave output.Can I connect lights with dimmers to the inverter?
Older style light dimmers may function correctly, however most modern light dimming circuitry is designed to work with household true sine wave AC power. These may not work properly with modified sine wave inverters.
