using an inverter (modified sine wave, pure sine) with x-box & PS2

**fishy** · 10-17-2004, 09:37 PM

Hi all,

Just wondering if i could get a couple of opinions from people that have been there done that with inverters.

In my car install, i'm planning on mounting removable X-Box and PS2's. Since (as far as i am aware) im going to need an inverter to run them (no, im not hacking into them, they must be "in the house" compliant too) i was thinking of getting a 600w inverter to run these (obviously, they wont be on at the same time, but the kiddies in the back of the 4wd will love me and stop nagging me with "are we there yet" stuff if i can keep them busy with PS2/Xbox and DVD's) SO -

can i get an opinion if it is really necessary to get a pure sine way inverter, or will a modified sine way do the job? Also, since the inverter will be in the car anyway, AND IM ON A BUDGET (the ozzie dollar isnt as good as the USD) i was thinking of using the inverter to power the 300w PC psu unit fitted in the old P3 i have laying around the house (which will be my car pc).

Any thoughts? pure sine way to run PC and a PS2? i have a dual battery 4wd with loads of room and 1200Amps of battery power to keep it running. With a minimal load, (as in accessories OFF) the inverter im looking at draws <500mA, so by my calcs, off one battery (with the ignition off) it would take 1200hrs before the battery is dead flat.

Whats your thoughts here, im on a budget, and if its more convenient, and will do the job without bad side effects, i'll go down this route, rather than the opus, mainly for sheer ease of install, as the inverter must go in the car anyway for the game consoles (unless there's a better way i dont know about).

help plz

**choyak** · 10-17-2004, 09:50 PM

Remember a 'modified sine wave' is not a sine wave at all, just a fake sine wave. It is really a square wave with a bit of filtering to remove the sharp edges. The true terminology to define this should be 'modified square wave'. Ode to marketing gimmicks.

I, however use a square wave inverter and everything seems fine so far. I know that sometimes the switching power supplies might become unstable/marginal with a square wave input, but a simple wall wart with transformer and rectifier/filter should not.

**fishy** · 10-17-2004, 10:49 PM

thanks for the info, i was just quoting the box, i agree, it is a square wave when viewed thru a cro, but anyway, its a wave...

so are you suggesting i should use the 12V-240V inverter, and an inline transformer and rectifier, or would i get away with just running the inverter for the PS2, Xbox and PC PSU?

**megamind** · 10-18-2004, 02:14 AM

Originally Posted by fishy

thanks for the info, i was just quoting the box, i agree, it is a square wave when viewed thru a cro, but anyway, its a wave...

so are you suggesting i should use the 12V-240V inverter, and an inline transformer and rectifier, or would i get away with just running the inverter for the PS2, Xbox and PC PSU?

My inverter gave me a nice sine signal, not sharped and not very round but if you compare it what comes out the wall in your house it will be good enough