50Watt Inverter?

**kipou** · 03-28-2002, 12:05 PM

http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...ct_code=282151

i was thinking about buying that, buy its only a 50w inverter. My power supply is only 95 watts,(or at least that what ibm says...see link to my pc in sig) so i didnt think that a 140watt inverter is really neccesary, but is 50watts to little power.

Thanks as always

**Rob** · 03-28-2002, 01:05 PM

Without knowing what you setup is that's an imposible question to answer, for some reason I can't seem to see your sig. If it is a simple setup you should be OK, just but without putting a powermeter, and see just how much electrisity your using it's not possible to say for sure.

Personally I don't like inverters but if I was to use one, I'd go for the 140 watt over the 50 watt, that way there is room for expansion in the future.

Rob

**kipou** · 03-28-2002, 01:51 PM

http://www5.pc.ibm.com/us/products.n...ookup/_2153E4N

thats the motherborad and power supply. For my project, i have like no cash, so im trying to find the most efficent things to get for the least amout of money

**tation** · 03-28-2002, 02:15 PM

I was looking at that inverter from the link you supplied, and I was thinking that the inverter sure did look awfully big to be only just a 50W inverter, and kind of expensive too. I have a 150W inverter that I used before I moved up to my 300W inverter I use now, and it looks exactly like that one.
Anyway, I started doing the math on that "50W" inverter, and the numbers just don't add up. It shows the max current draw, on the DC and also the AC side, and those numbers are closer to 150W.
Wattage is amps times volts, right?
12V X 11amps = 132Watts, and a more accurate 13.5V X 11Amps = 148.5Watts
The AC side of their specs show the same thing.
1.2 Amps x 120V = 144 Watts

**kipou** · 03-28-2002, 02:59 PM

Originally posted by tation
and I was thinking that the inverter sure did look awfully big to be only just a 50W inverter, and kind of expensive too.

exspensive?
mabey because im new, which always sucks, but where can i get one for cheaper, like what kind of stores? I dont have the knowledge to make my own power supply, and have a older car, so if i can get one from another store, such as wal-mart or somethin, that would be greatly appricated?

**MP3DUB** · 03-28-2002, 04:05 PM

I know that target caries a line of inverters (powmax or something) that are on the cheap. Crutchfield(.com) also carries inverters (statpower). I think I got my 150w from them for $40. And my p1 pc that had less than a 150W psu would blip my 150W inverter with the startup drain. My experience has been always go larger.

**tation** · 03-28-2002, 10:13 PM

Yeah I have seen 150Watts for around $40 at target and walmart. Even rat shack I think. I only paid $89 for my 300Watt at best buy. I would think $20 or $30 would be a decent price for only a 50Watt. I agree with the go bigger theory though. It is nice to be able to run just about anything from the inverter. I have used it to supply a 19" TV, VCR, DVD, and satelite before on a few camping trips. I always wanted to get one of those 500W inverters and use it to power a microwave.