Power inverters have become more popular in recent years. People use many gadgets and depend on them for business or personal use. Particularly, smart phones have an extremely short battery life. Game boys, iPads, eReaders, laptops, and other rechargeable electronics need to be charged frequently. The car power inverter is really useful on road trips or long trips to vacation destinations.
Looking for a power converter can be quite confusing and overwhelming if you do not know what features to look for. It is cheaper long-term to by a good quality converter than to risk ruining any of the gadgets you plan to power with it .There are features that set the good inverter apart from an entry-level model. Entry-level models are fine for the occasional use in an emergency, but are not a good choice for frequent and long-term use.
A good quality 12v inverter should have a reverse polarity fail safe. What this means is in case you hook the inverter up backwards it does not automatically blow up in smoke. The next thing you should look for is a fuse. The fuse is important because it will protect the sensitive circuitry. It will blow before anything else gets damaged. The fuse should be easily accessible. You want to be able to check the fuse and/or replace it without having to take the inverter apart.
Large ventilation holes are another sign of a good inverter. These holes will help the fan, which should be of a high quality, keep the inverter cool during use. A failing fan may cause the inverter to overheat and it will stop working.
A good 12v power inverter should not drain more than 0.3 amps without a load. Some cheap models can pull up to 1.5 amps without a load. This is especially important if you are one of those people who forget to unplug your converter when it is not being used. Decent power converters have a low voltage shut down feature. It prevents the inverter from draining your car’s battery because it can be permanently discharged, damaged and leave you stranded. Some models have a low voltage alarm. This alarm warns you when the battery is drained to a certain point.
A good surge capacity is also necessary if you want to run several devices at the same time. Laptops for example need a surge of power to be turned on initially. Keeping it running does not use that much power anymore. Power converters with a low surge capacity may not be able to power all the gadgets you want to run.
Warranty length and terms should be considered carefully when choosing a converter as well. The warranty will not protect you from encountering a failing converter, but it will protect you from wasting your money on a unit that may fail after you used it once or twice.
Keeping these features in mind when looking for a converter will help you to find a decent model that will last, will not drain your battery, and will keep your gadgets safe.