A newbie inverter question

**Cliff** · 03-29-2002, 04:20 PM

I bought a SIMA inverter that says its output is 120V and max 200V. I thought this would be sufficient for my carputer, but when I plugged her in, after 10 secs the inverter shuts down and the overload light goes on.

I am using my sister's old DELL 200 MHZ MMX computer, and on the back it says:

Volts: 115/230 ~

I didn't ground the chassis and I had to use a 3 to 2 prong converter, because the input on the inverter is 2 prong. Do I need to buy a higher wattage inverter or do I need to do something different?

Thanks alot, go easy on me =)

**mp3z24** · 03-29-2002, 04:25 PM

what is the power rating on the inverter?

if it is an ac inverter it will always be 120 v. but what about amps/watts? i cant remember which they are rated in.. i'm pretty sure it's watts...

~mike

**Cliff** · 03-29-2002, 04:39 PM

the rating is 140 watts but like I said it said min. 120 and max 200

**MP3DUB** · 03-29-2002, 05:02 PM

volts and watts are completely different things, altho they both have to do with electricity. 115VAC is US voltage, 220VAC is Europe. The power supply is probably 150 watt psu (might say on the sticker on it). Your 150W psu is most certainly overloading your 140W inverter at power on.

**Cliff** · 03-29-2002, 05:08 PM

would you say something like this would remedy the problem? =)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=1342679098

It says in the description that the voltage out is 110V...the back of the DELL says 115V...but this seems to be the popular choice on the board..

**MP3DUB** · 03-29-2002, 06:09 PM

Yes, that would remedy the problem. 110~120 volts ac is standard US wall current (ac=alternating current). I've used the jensen for a period of time, worked well enough (was a bit loud when cold).

**mp3z24** · 03-29-2002, 06:10 PM

cliff.... buddy....
forget about voltages for a second
as long as you have an AC computer suppy and an AC inverter... you are going to be fine.

the thing to look at is the watts. 300 watts is more than enough to power a computer as powreful as a p4. so that inverter should do the job.

~Mike

**Cliff** · 03-29-2002, 09:10 PM

Originally posted by mp3z24
cliff.... buddy....
forget about voltages for a second
as long as you have an AC computer suppy and an AC inverter... you are going to be fine.

the thing to look at is the watts. 300 watts is more than enough to power a computer as powreful as a p4. so that inverter should do the job.

~Mike

Ok thanks alot! You mean the 300W one by saying "that inverter" right? Cause the 140W wasn't enough.

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