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Frequently Asked Questions about our Power Inverters

Power Inverter FAQ

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Below is a list of common questions about power inverters and their operation that we have put together for
your convenience. If you have a question about an inverter that is not answered in this FAQ please feel free to
contact us and we will be more than happy to help.
How can you sell your Power Inverters at such a great price?

Pure Sine Wave Power Inverters

150W Pure Sine Wave Inverter 12v

Do 8ZED inverters carry the c-tick of approval and meet Australian Standards?
How long have you been in business?
Are payments on your online store encrypted?

300W Pure Sine Wave Inverter 12v

What if i have any problems?

600W Pure Sine Wave Inverter 12v

Do you have a privacy policy?

1000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter 12v

What is a Power Inverter?

1500W Pure Sine Wave Inverter 12v

What are the different types of inverters?

How do I choose what Inverter is right for my Application?

2000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter 12v

Can any appliance be run from an Inverter?

3000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter 12v

What is a suitable power source to operate an inverter?

5000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter 12v

How do I connect to a power source?

Why is it important to ensure the battery leads are not connected back to front?

Modified Sine Wave Power Inverters

8ZED 200W 12v Inverter
8ZED 300W 12v Inverter

Do power inverters store power?

How do I determine a suitable load for appliances?
What is the right environment and appropriate way to set up the placement of my inverter?
How do I check or change the fuses?

Projecta 300W Inverter 12v

How long will a battery last while powering an 8Zed Inverter?

8ZED 500W 12v Inverter

My 8Zed Power Inverter will not run my appliance, even though the listed power requirement of the

8ZED 600W 12v Inverter

appliance is less than the inverter size

Projecta 600W Inverter 12v

8ZED 1000W 12v Inverter

Why do some power tools not function correctly?

Can I connect my inverter directly to a solar regulator or controller?
Can I connect lights with dimmers to the inverter?

Projecta 1000W Inverter 12v

Can I run fluorescent lighting from my inverter?

Projecta 1000W Inverter 24v

Can I run computers with my 8Zed power inverter?

8ZED 1200W 12v Inverter

I have a 170W 240 volt gas fridge, is the 8Zed 300 watt power inverter suitable to run my fridge while I

8ZED 1800W 12v Inverter

8ZED 2000W 12v Inverter

am travelling, using my car battery?

Why won't my inverter work when I use a rechargeable Alkaline battery or an appliance with rechargeable

8ZED 2400W 12v Inverter

AA or AAA batteries?

8ZED 3000W 12v Inverter

Why is my inverter making a buzzing noise?

8ZED 4000W 12v Inverter

Pure Sine Wave Inverter/Chargers

Why does my inverter turn itself off?

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

600W Pure 12v Inverter/Charger

inverter would you suggest and suit my needs?

1000W Pure 12v Inverter/Charger

What size inverter do I need to buy for a 600 watt microwave?

1500W Pure 12v Inverter/Charger

Can I run a kettle to boil water from an inverter through my cigarette lighter?

2000W Pure 12v Inverter/Charger

REDARC Pure Sine Wave Inverters

Redarc 150W Inverter 12v or 24v

Can I run my 3-phase welder off your inverter?

Why does my power inverter only measure approximately 200VAC when using a standard multimeter?
Does the inverter drain power if it is turned off but still connected to the battery?
If I'm only using a 600W appliance on a 1200W inverter, will the inverter use 600W or 1200W of power?
What appliances are recommended to be used from a Pure Sine Wave Inverter?

Redarc 350W Inverter 12v or 24v

What precautions should I take when installing an Inverter?

Redarc 700W Inverter 12v or 24v

What sort of Inverter should I get to run my Laser Printer?

Redarc 1000W Inverter 12v or 24v

Will an 1800W Inverter power my 1300W Heater?

Redarc 1500W Inverter 12v or 24v

Redarc 2000W Inverter 12v or 24v

What does Inverter efficiency really mean?

What forms of lights can I run from an Inverter?

Redarc 2000W Inverter 12v or 24v

Redarc 3000W Inverter 12v or 24v

Grid Tie / Grid Connect Inverters

1.5 kW Grid Connect Inverter
3.3 kW Grid Connect Inverter
5 kW Grid Connect Inverter

Can I run my laptop from a Modified Sine Wave Inverter?

What power inverter do i need to run an Xbox or Xbox 360?

How can you sell your Power Inverters at such a great price?
We can offer our 8ZED Power Inverters at such great prices because we deal direct with the manufacturer, which
means we bypass all the middle men and wholesalers that usually have to make a profit along the way. Also as we
also only sell online we have far fewer overheads than a traditional bricks and mortar shop front. This all translates
into us passing these big savings onto you and being able to offer the best priced power inverters on the web
without compramising on our products quality.

Do 8ZED inverters carry the c-tick of approval and meet Australian Standards?
All Our Power Inverters carry
the C-Tick of Approval.

Absolutely. All products we sell including all our 8ZED Power Inverters are designed to meet Australian standards
and have the c-tick of approval.

How long have you been in business?

We have been operating and selling online since 2002. We have a proven track record online and an established
regular client base due to our high quality and great value products.

Are payments on your online store encrypted?

Absolutely! All payment details and sensetive information are encrypted with 256bit SSL high grade enrcyption,
meaning all your data is safe and secure when you order at our online store.

What if i have any problems?

In the unlikely event that you have any problems with any of your purchases we are here to help. You can
contact us via phone or email and we will not rest until your problem is solved. If it is a manufacturing defect then
we will replace the product no questions asked. We have a 100% service record and are serious about providing
excellent customer service.
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Do you have a privacy policy?

We sure do. You can have a look at it here. Just so you know we value your privacy and will never sell, rent, give
away or otherwise distribute your personal information to anyone for any reason ever.

What is a Power Inverter?

Power Inverters are devices designed for powering household appliances from a car, or similar battery. They
convert 12V or 24V DC battery power to 230V (10VAC) 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, 4WDs and
trucks. Using a power inverter for household appliances is a much cheaper option than purchasing specialized 12V
or 24V appliances for those times when mains power is not available. Compared to Generators, Power Inverters
are a greener and cheaper long term option. For more information check out the Wikipedia entry at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverter_(electrical)

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 pure (or true) 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, such as sound/audio equipment.
8Zed Power Inverters are available across a range of power output levels to power a range of appliances. Small
power inverters, such as the 200 Watt & 300 Watt 8Zed Power Inverters, are designed for powering one small
low power electrical appliance whereas larger units such as the 2400 Watt & 3000 Watt are suitable for powering
multiple small appliances at the same time or just one larger appliance.

How do I choose what Inverter is right for my Application?

In order to determine the size Inverter you may require for your specific application. There are several main points
that you first need to establish.
1. What appliances do I need to run from the Inverter at the same time?
Take into consideration every appliance you may wish to run from the Inverter simultaneously in order to
meet your needs.
2. What is the power requirement (watts or Amps) of all of these appliances?
Adding the total power requirements of all of the appliances that you wish to run will give you an initial
indication of what size Inverter may be suitable for your specific application.

3. Do any of these appliances contain elements such as a compressor, motor, pump or heating
element?
Appliances carrying these listed elements will have special requirements. As their start up requirement will
greatly exceed their listed continuous power requirement. You will require a larger Inverter, with the
continuous capacity to cover this initial start-up requirement. For more information, please feel free to
contact us.
4. How to connect my Inverter to my power source?
Smaller Inverters may only provide limited battery connection possibilities. For more options, please ensure
that the accessories available with each Inverter will suit your application. For more information, please feel
free to contact us.

Can any appliance be run from an Inverter?

Power inverters are not an efficient way to run appliances that have very high power requirements during start up
and their continuous operation. This is due to their high current draw and rapid battery depletion.
You may have difficulties running the following appliances: (Please note: This is not an exhaustive list, for more
information please contact us)
Electric Heaters
Stoves/Stove Tops
Kettles
Air Conditioners
Large Refrigerators/Freezers
Energy Saving Lights
Florescent Lights
Large Air Compressors
High Capacity Pumps
Large Coffee Machines
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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.
1. Connect the ring terminal on the positive lead (Red) to the positive (Red) DC terminal on the back of the
inverter.
2. Connect the battery clip (Red) or ring terminal on the other end of the lead to the positive DC supply or
(+) battery terminal.
3. Connect the ring terminal on the negative lead (Black) to the negative (Black) DC terminal on the back of
the inverter.
4. Connect the battery clip (Black) or ring terminal on the other end of the lead to the negative DC supply or
(-) battery terminal.

Inverter Connection Guide Step by Step

Ensure the inverter is switched off

Connect the positive cable to the battery

Connect the negative cable to the battery

Connect the positive cable to the inverter

Connect the negative cable to the

inverter (the cable may spark upon initial
contact. This is normal and will not harm
the inverter).

Best practice is to connect the case

directly to an earth.

Ensure the appliance is switched off

Plug the appliance in

Switch the inverter on (a short beep

may be heard, this is normal)

Switch on your appliance and operate

as normal

8Zed 200W USB Cup Inverter

Ensure the inverter is switched off

Ensure your device is switched off

Plug device into your 3pin (cigarette

lighter) accessory

To use while the car is turned off, switch

your car to accessory to power the 3pin
(cigarette lighter) accessory.
Alternatively, switch on your isolator to
provide power to your 3pin (cigarette
lighter) accessory.

To use while running your vehicle,

ensure to inverter is switched off.

Start your car

Switch on your 8Zed Inverter

Switch on your appliance

Battery Wiring Diagrams

How can I use multiple

batteries to
increase the Amp Hour rating
while
keeping a 12v setup?

How do I make my 12v

batteries
into 24v?

How can I use multiple

batteries to
increase the Amp Hour rating
while
keeping a 24v setup?

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 do not have an in-built battery; they just act as a converter to change the power from a 12VDC
or 24VDC power source to 240V AC. This enables you to use normal household appliances and tools from a
battery or your vehicle.

How do I determine a suitable load for appliances?

The 200W, 300W and 600W 8Zed Power Inverters are fitted with 1 approved AS/NZS power socket. 1200W to
5000W 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 for an approximate guide.
NOTE: Some appliances that use an electric motor or transformer may draw 4 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.
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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.
SAFETY 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/alligator clips. To operate the 8Zed inverter while moving, it
must be permanently mounted and wired in a secured fashion using standard terminal to terminal connect
cables.
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How do I check or change the fuses?

The 300W and 600W 8Zed power inverters are fitted with one external fuse and a secondary internal protective
fuse. If the unit is not functioning, you can check to see if a fuse has blown by disconnecting the inverter from
the DC power source and AC appliances. Then remove the black external fuse cap and to check if the fuse has
blown. The 200W, 1200W, 1800W, 2000W, 2400W, 3000W, 4000W and the 5000W all have their fuses
contained within the actual unit. If an internal fuse blows, only a qualified 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.

Changing External Fuse Guide Step by Step

Disconnect the inverter from any power

source and remove the leads.

Once isolated, switch on the inverter to

remove any residual power in the
capacitors. You will hear a long beep while
the inverter discharges, this is normal.
When the beep stops, switch the inverter off.

Remove the external fuse protector.

Hold the inverter in place with one hand and

remove the fuse with your other hand.

Replace the fuse with a new fuse.

Replace the fuse protector.

How to recognise a blown fuse

Good Fuse

Bad Fuse

Notice: Clear plastic,

fillament in tact

Notice: Scorch marks and

seperated fillament

How long will a battery last while powering an 8Zed Inverter?

The length of time that your vehicle/stand-alone battery will last when running an Inverter will be determined by
2 main factors. Firstly the Amp/Hour rating of the batteries you are using, as well as the power draw of the
appliances you are running.
For example: a 100Watt appliance, operating from 12 Volts, will be using approximately 8.5 Amps per hour.
Therefore a 100 Amp/Hour Battery will provide approximately 11.5 hours of continuous running power for this
individual appliance.
Depending on the size of the inverter, the standby draw ranges from 0.8amps to 1.5amps.
Inverters also only draw the required amount of power for the device, regardless of the size of the inverter.
Batteries have an Amp Hour (AH) rating on them to assist in determining their longevity.
Using the calculator found in the Inverter Selection Guide, it is easy to find the appliances draw in Amps. To apply
this information, follow example 1 below.
1. A 120W appliance operating from a 12v power supply will draw approximately 10amps an hour from the
battery.
To power the 120W appliance for 8.5 hours continuously, a 90AH rated battery would be required.
For more information on conversions relating to power draw, please visit our Inverter Selection Calculator.
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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. Some appliances may draw all three
types of power, in which case all should be considered.
Resistive Loads A standard incandescent light (wire filament) always draw 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. Larger resistive loads, such as electric stoves or heaters, may require up to 6 times more
power. Please make sure you select the correct 8Zed Inverter to suit the application you need in order to
power the appliance continuously.
Inductive Loads TVs and stereos (any device with a coil or a transformer in it) require more current to
operate than a resistive load of the same power rating. Induction motors (motors without brushes), as well
as some televisions, may require 3 to 7 times their power rating to start up. This condition may require
repeated ON/OFF, ON/OFF, ON/OFF switching of the power switch on your 8Zed Inverter in order to
get them started. The most demanding are those that start under load, i.e. compressors and pumps.
Since motor and television characteristics vary widely, only experimentation will determine if a specific load
can be started and how long it can be run. 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 3 and 7 times their normal running power at start up. For example, to
start a 200 Watt fridge you may need anything from a 600W to a 2000 Watt 8Zed inverter.
Capacitive Loads for example CRT TVs, 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.
Note 1: 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.
Note 2: There are no standards for "surge power partly because it cannot be simply represented by a single
sample number. Even though our 8Zed Inverters can provide up to double the listed continuous power (on initial
start-up) for a short period, experimentation is the only method of determining whether it can handle the surges
generated by a particular load.

Why do some power tools not function correctly?

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 an inverter. However more
appliances will be compatible with a Pure Sine Wave Inverter.

Can I connect my inverter directly to a solar regulator or controller?

It is possible to connect an inverter directly to a regulator/controller as long as the total amps being consumed by
the inverter and anything plugged into it doesnt go over the max amp rating of the controller. It is also essential
that the regulator/controller can supply constant and stable 12-14VDC power. For example if you have a 12V
controller rated at 12amps, and you connect a 300W Inverter which consumes 0.5Amps when turned on, you
would be left with 11.5A to run your appliances (roughly 135Watts). If however you tried to use more than the
power available from the regulator, you could cause damage to your inverter as well as your regulator/controller.
Due to changing sunlight conditions providing a variable voltage supply, and due to it being hard to monitor
exactly what power you are using, it is highly recommended to connect your inverter directly to your battery (or
battery bank). A battery (or battery bank) is the most stable source of DC Power.

Diagram of recommended basic solar setup

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 pure (true) sine wave AC power. These may not work properly with modified sine wave inverters,
and therefore a Pure Sine Wave Inverter would be required.
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Can I run fluorescent lighting from my inverter?

Most portable fluorescent lamps should operate fine on a power inverter. Please note they may be slow to start
and may require up to 3 times the listed power (i.e. 20W Fluorescent light = 60W Power required from an
Inverter).
Fluorescent lights are an inductive and capacitive load and therefore tend to draw three times as much power
from the inverter.
Standard household fluorescent lights are not recommended because they contain Power Factor correction
capacitors. Power Factor correction is normally used in buildings to help smooth out the inductive effects of
fluorescent light ballasts. If they are used with a power inverter, the power factor correction is effected by the
harmonic distortion in the modified waveform which can cause a high load for the inverter that can then overload
the inverter. If you wish to use normal household fluorescent lights of a power inverter, it is recommended that
you get a qualified electrician to remove the power factor correction capacitor.

Can I run computers with my 8Zed power inverter?

Most laptop/notebook computer AC power adapters work perfectly well with the 8Zed modified sine wave power
inverters. Desktop computers and some laptops/notebooks may be more sensitive so they may not function
correctly or cause a humming noise, in which case a pure sine wave inverter is recommended.
Mac/Apple products are extremely sensitive in the way they use their power, and will require a Pure Sine Wave
Inverter to run successfully.

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?
With Fridges, we normally recommend that it's a good idea to allow 4 to 6 times the required power. However
this is due to the fact that normal fridges (with electric motors) require an Inductive Load and need a large rush
of power (surge current) to start.

Why won't my inverter work when I use a rechargeable Alkaline battery or an appliance
with rechargeable AA or AAA batteries?

You may have trouble using an AA battery charger with any inverter due to the way the battery chargers draw
energy. You will also find that a Pure Sine Wave Inverter is a better option for battery chargers due to the fact
that there's much less noise interference compared to a modified sine wave inverter. This noise can often wear
away at the sensitive components in lower quality battery chargers. The rechargeable batteries, recharging
transformer and/or the 8Zed Inverter may be damaged when trying to recharge devices of 10 volts or higher.
In most cases you can safely charge your laptop, mobile phone, cameras and cordless drills using a modified sine
wave Inverter. For example, you can charge a Dell Laptop, a PDA mobile phone and a Black & Decker cordless drill
via these power inverters.
However, it is always a good idea to double-check your appliance's manufacturer's guidelines first. If they can't be
charged via a modified sine wave inverter, they will mention something similar to "Charge via Mains power only".
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Why is my inverter making a buzzing noise?

An alarm will sound if you have a Low voltage or Overload situation. The Low Voltage indicates that the battery
does not have enough capacity to power the appliances and may require recharging. You should cease operations
at this time, since the 8Zed Inverter will shut down automatically when battery voltage drops to 10.0-10.5 volts.
If the low battery alarm still sounds when the battery is fully charged, try reducing the load on the inverter, and
keep the voltage above 11.5 volts to maintain regulation. The alarm will sound when the inverter is overloaded, or
if there is an excessive voltage drop between the battery and the inverter.
An alarm will also sound in an Overload situation if the appliance/s you have plugged into the inverter are
attempting to draw more power than the listed capacity of the inverter. In this instance, it is recommended to
reduce the load on the inverter. Once an Overload situation is present, a reset of the inverter may be required
(i.e. turn off Inverter and disconnect from power source for 30-45mins before reconnecting).
Note: The alarm may sound momentarily when the unit is being connected to, or disconnected from, the power

source. This is normal and does not indicate any problem.

Why does my inverter turn itself off?

If the inverter makes a beeping sound and the RED fault light comes on, this indicates a problem, and the
inverter will usually turn itself off for safety reasons. This is most commonly caused by an appliance that is drawing
too much power thereby overloading the unit being used, low battery voltage or voltage drop which is due to
insufficient sized cables, and/or poor connections.

Why does the fan only operate sometimes on the 8Zed power inverters?
8Zed power inverters contain a temperature controlled automatic cooling fan that only operates when needed.
This allows the inverter to run very quietly for most of the time. Smaller sized inverters such as the 200W, 300W
and 600W 8Zed Modified Sine Wave Inverters have their fans running constantly to ensure they never overheat.

Can power inverters be used directly off a battery whilst the car is switched off?
You can run appliances through the Inverter off the battery whilst the car is switched off. The time you can use
it for will depend on the size of the Inverter and also the Appliance being used. As long as DC volts from the
battery stay above 11.5Volts, it will run. It is recommended that the battery be charged at least once every hour
to make sure there are no interruptions and to also make sure you can start the vehicle after use.
Please Note: The Inverter must be switched off before your vehicles ignition is turned on. Failure to do so may

cause severe damage to the internal components of the Inverter and void warranty.

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?
Appliances that have coils that produce heat typically require 3 to 7 times the listed power. Therefore, if the
blanket is rated at 100Watts continuous, you may require a 1200W Inverter just for the blanket. With the TV,
they typically require a large surge current if they haven't been switched on in a while. This is due to the large
capacitors in the power supply that must be quickly charged when the appliance is first turned on.
Due to the factors above, the minimum Power Inverter recommended would be the 1200W 8Zed Power
Inverter. Ideally an 1800W or 2000W 8Zed Inverter should be used. Another benefit in purchasing a 1200W 8Zed
Inverter or above is that it has 2x 240VAC sockets that would make things easier to connect the 2 different
appliances.

What size inverter do I need to buy for a 600 watt microwave?

The power rating used with microwave ovens is the "cooking power" which refers to the power being "delivered"
to the food being cooked. The actual operating power requirement rating is higher than the cooking power rating
(for example, a microwave with "advertised" rating of 600 watts usually corresponds to almost 1100 watts of
power consumption). The actual power consumption in most cases is stated on the back of the microwave. If the
operating power requirement cannot be found on the back of the microwave, check the owner's manual or
contact the manufacturer.
Taking into account that for a microwave it is a good idea to add approximately a 20% buffer to the listed power,
for a 600W Microwave the minimum recommendation would be the 1200W 8Zed Power Inverter. This will make
sure that the Inverter can supply the required power to the microwave consistently, even when the microwave is
on High power.
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Can I run a kettle to boil water from an inverter through my cigarette lighter?
Unfortunately running any sort of Kettle from an Inverter is not recommended; however this will be directly
determined by the wattage and start up requirement of the Kettle itself whilst also taking into account it may
require 3-7 times the listed power.
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Please Note: Due to the fact that most cigarette lighter plugs can only handle up to approximately 150Watts,

only small appliances within this capacity can be run through these connections.

For more information on How to choose the right Inverter, you can view our Power Inverter Selection guide.

Can I run my 3-phase welder off your inverter?

Unfortunately a 3-phase welder cannot be used off an inverter because it only provides single-phase power.

Why does my power inverter only measure approximately 200V when using a standard
multimeter?
True RMS Fluke multimeter will need to be used to accurately measure the volts of a Modified Sine Wave inverter.
The rated voltage is an RMS (root mean square--they square the value to make sure it is always positive, then
average it, then take the square root of the average to make up for having squared it in the first place)
measurement.
Most multimeters are designed to give correct RMS readings when applied to true sine waves, but not when they
are applied to other waveforms such as a Modified sine wave. When using a standard multimeter to measure the
rated voltage from a modified sine wave inverter, your readings could be 5% to 20% lower in the true voltage.

Does the inverter drain power if it is turned off but still connected to the battery?
There is normally a small power drain of 0.8A 1.5A experienced when the inverter is off, this can differ
depending on the Inverters.

If I'm only using a 600W appliance on a 1200W inverter, will the inverter use 600W or
1200W of power?
Your Power Inverter will still only use 600W. No matter what sized inverter you have the power draw will only be
equal to what your appliance will draw.

What appliances are recommended to be used from a Pure Sine Wave Inverter?
The following appliances are likely to require a Pure Sine wave Inverter to function correctly;
Medical Equipment
Battery Chargers
Light Dimmers
Variable Speed Motors/Tools
Laser Printers
Audio/Visual Equipment
Digital Clocks
Mac/Apple Products
Some power tools may be a problem if they have a warning label stating that dangerous voltages are present at
the battery terminals when charging.

What precautions should I take when installing an Inverter?

It is best to install an inverter in a cool and dry location. Inverters should not be installed in an engine
compartment due to possible water/oil/acid/fume contamination, as well as excessive heat. It is also a good idea
to run the battery cables in a secure dry place. The best way to mount an 8Zed Inverter is horizontally face up to
ensure maximum cooling efficiency via the inbuilt heat sinks.

What sort of Inverter should I get to run my Laser Printer?

A Pure Sine Wave Inverter would be the minimum that is required to be able to run a Laser Printer successfully.
However a laser printer is not normally recommended to be used off an inverter due to the heat rollers Laser
printers use up a surprising amount of power (Even when they are on standby). Inkjet Printers on the other hand
use much less power than a laser printer and can be used with a modified sine wave inverter.
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Will an 1800W Inverter power my 1300W Heater?

Due to the nature and internal components of heaters, a 1300W heater cannot be run from an 1800W Inverter.
Heaters have an extremely rapid and high power requirement. Our general recommendation is to multiply the
continuous requirement of the heater by between 3 and 7 times. This will give you a more accurate
recommendation of what size Inverter you will require for this sole appliance. However, this is a general
recommendation, and can differ with ranging appliances.

What does Inverter efficiency really mean?

The efficiency of an inverter refers to how well it converts DC Voltage into AC Voltage. Inverter efficiencies range
from 80% up to 95%. The average efficiency is around 90%. However, efficiency ratings can be decreased when
using a resistive load such as an incandescent light.
When running appliances with motors, the efficiency breaks into 2 parts; the efficiency of the inverter, and the
efficiency of the waveform. Waveform efficiency means that the motors and many other electronic appliances run
better and use less power with a true or pure sine wave.
An appliance with an electric motor, like a pump or refrigerator will on average use 15-20% more power with a
modified sine wave inverter compared to when it is run off a true or pure sine wave inverter.
When looking at the efficiency rating of an inverter you should also consider what you are going to run. I.e. An
85% efficient modified sine wave inverter is not going to run at 85% when powering a compressor motor. This is
due to the fact that electric motors are less efficient and use about 20% more power off a modified sine wave
inverter.

What forms of lights can I run from an Inverter?

What forms of lights can I run from an Inverter?

Incandescent & LED
Incandescent and LED globes are fairly basic in the way they utilise their power. Therefore a 60W globe
should draw no more than 60Watts continuously. These forms of globes will more than likely run from
either a Modified Sine Wave Inverter or Pure Sine Wave Inverter.
Fluorescent
Fluorescent globes are very sensitive in the way they utilise their power. They also tend to use between 3
and 6 times their rated continuous output during initial start-up.
For example: A 30Watt Fluorescent globe may need an Inverter with the continuous capacity to cover 3
times this rating to power the globe effectively on start-up. Therefore: 30Watt x 6 = 180 Watts
Energy Saving
Energy Saving Globes will more than likely have difficulties running from any form of Inverter due to the
way they draw power. An 8Zed Pure Sine Wave Inverter will be more efficient in running an energy saving
light; however it is still recommended to only use incandescent lights or LED lights off an inverter.

Can I run my laptop from a Modified Sine Wave Inverter?

Our 300W 8Zed Power Inverter should be perfect for powering your laptop. It would however be a good idea to
double check the Power required on your Laptop (On the Power Pack and/or on the bottom of your laptop), It is
a good idea to allow at least 10% power buffer, so that's one other thing to keep in mind. (i.e. 200W Laptop +
10% = 220Watts)
The Power Packs provided with PC based laptops are generally capable of coping with a sine wave generated by
the Modified Wave Inverters. However you may find some performance based issues such as slight humming, or
the occasional line across your screen. An 8Zed Pure Sine Wave Inverter is recommended for the best
performance.
Apple Macbooks and other Apple based Laptops will require a Pure Sine Wave Inverter to run successfully. These
appliances tend to be more sensitive with regards to how they utilise their power. In this situation a Modified Sine
Wave Inverter can result in your Operating System freezing or locking up on a regular basis.
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What power inverter do i need to run a Xbox or Xbox 360 from my car, caravan, RV or
boat?
For some in depth info check out our page on running an Xbox from a 12v inverter.

If you didnt find what you were looking for you may also like to have a look at our Inverter Selection Guide, our
power inverter articles page or feel free to contact us and we will be happy to answer any questions you have.

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