Inverter in Cigarette Lighter question

G

Gozzy

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2004
Messages
885
Hey all,

Sorry if this is a dumb question... but seeing as Loadshedding is back and I work from home is it safe to use a 600w power inverter to power a few devices for when the power goes out?

I want to power up my laptop/router/2x 24inch monitors during this time, nothing more.

I don't want to void the car's warranty or damage any of my devices, is it safe to keep the car at idle the entire time... you know sort of acting like a generator lol :D ?

Thanks!
 
S

Steamy Tom

Executive Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2019
Messages
8,368
Gozzy said:
Hey all,

Sorry if this is a dumb question... but seeing as Loadshedding is back and I work from home is it safe to use a 600w power inverter to power a few devices for when the power goes out?

I want to power up my laptop/router/2x 24inch monitors during this time, nothing more.

I don't want to void the car's warranty or damage any of my devices, is it safe to keep the car at idle the entire time... you know sort of acting like a generator lol :D ?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

if you dont like your engine sure.
 
G

Gozzy

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2004
Messages
885
TheChamp

TheChamp

Honorary Master
Joined
Feb 26, 2011
Messages
57,344
Gozzy said:
Hey all,

Sorry if this is a dumb question... but seeing as Loadshedding is back and I work from home is it safe to use a 600w power inverter to power a few devices for when the power goes out?

I want to power up my laptop/router/2x 24inch monitors during this time, nothing more.

I don't want to void the car's warranty or damage any of my devices, is it safe to keep the car at idle the entire time... you know sort of acting like a generator lol :D ?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
It's going to kill your battery, leave you car alone and buy a special battery for your inverter.
 
L

Lukcydog

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 13, 2012
Messages
501
Gozzy said:
Hey all,

Sorry if this is a dumb question... but seeing as Loadshedding is back and I work from home is it safe to use a 600w power inverter to power a few devices for when the power goes out?

I want to power up my laptop/router/2x 24inch monitors during this time, nothing more.

I don't want to void the car's warranty or damage any of my devices, is it safe to keep the car at idle the entire time... you know sort of acting like a generator lol :D ?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Check the power usage of the equipment. Inverter can give up to 600W max (it only outputs what is needed from the loads, not 600W at the outset). Laptop maybe 100W (check power supply), router maybe 12W (12V, 1A). There is high probability that there is a fuse in the lighter circuit...

As stated above, your battery will take shots...
 
G

Gozzy

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2004
Messages
885
Lukcydog said:
Check the power usage of the equipment. Inverter can give up to 600W max (it only outputs what is needed from the loads, not 600W at the outset). Laptop maybe 100W (check power supply), router maybe 12W (12V, 1A). There is high probability that there is a fuse in the lighter circuit...

As stated above, your battery will take shots...
Click to expand...

Thanks man, yeah so far my laptop charger = 45w, my 2 screens combined =80w max, and yeah 12w for my router = +- 140w max that I would need.

So even if the car is idling the battery will get hammered?
 
TheChamp

TheChamp

Honorary Master
Joined
Feb 26, 2011
Messages
57,344
Gozzy said:
Thanks man, yeah so far my laptop charger = 45w, my 2 screens combined =80w max, and yeah 12w for my router = +- 140w max that I would need.

So even if the car is idling the battery will get hammered?
Click to expand...
No, but as it has been said how long are you going to idle the car?
 
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