cheap ebay inverters

[PradoEater]

was looking at these inverters on ebay,

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Large-Shel-Pure-Sine-Wave-Power-Inverter-3000W-6000W-12V-to-240V-Remote-control/231856179554?hash=item35fbb48962:g:b9AAAOSw-HxdHclk

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/PURE-SINE-WAVE-INVERTER-3000W-MAX-6000W-12V-240V-WATT-POWER-CAR-CARAVAN-CAMPING/331126509626?epid=1341395637&hash=item4d18ad903a:g:TfkAAOSwjSpdS-hZ:sc:AU_StandardDelivery!2223!AU!-1

anyone has one of these or similar to these?

I only want to be able to use our coffee machine and maybe the kettle.

whats everyones thoughts on this el crapo inverters????

[nj swb]

was looking at these inverters on ebay,

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Large-Shel-Pure-Sine-Wave-Power-Inverter-3000W-6000W-12V-to-240V-Remote-control/231856179554?hash=item35fbb48962:g:b9AAAOSw-HxdHclk

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/PURE-SINE-WAVE-INVERTER-3000W-MAX-6000W-12V-240V-WATT-POWER-CAR-CARAVAN-CAMPING/331126509626?epid=1341395637&hash=item4d18ad903a:g:TfkAAOSwjSpdS-hZ:sc:AU_StandardDelivery!2223!AU!-1

anyone has one of these or similar to these?

I only want to be able to use our coffee machine and maybe the kettle.

whats everyones thoughts on this el crapo inverters????

You did ask!

For the Jurassic Park fans, I'd like to paraphrase Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum's character): I think people looking at these systems are so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.

If something like this is your answer, I think you're asking the wrong question.

"Maximum efficiency" is approximately 90%, so 3000 W out will require about 3300 W in. At a nominal 12V, that's about 275 A. Think engine cranking, for the duration that you're drawing 3000 W. 6000 W surge?

Coffee machine? Save it for when you're in a van park with mains available. Otherwise, consider something like the Wacaco Nanopresso for when you're off-grid.

Kettle? Seriously? These days, there are gas burners available. Much more efficient way to produce heat.

Edit: Do you carry a cordless drill as part of your tool kit? If so, something like this might be a cheaper and more efficient solution: https://adelaidetools.com.au/makita-...xoCyh4QAvD_BwE

[PradoEater]

You did ask!

For the Jurassic Park fans, I'd like to paraphrase Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum's character): I think people looking at these systems are so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.

If something like this is your answer, I think you're asking the wrong question.

"Maximum efficiency" is approximately 90%, so 3000 W out will require about 3300 W in. At a nominal 12V, that's about 275 A. Think engine cranking, for the duration that you're drawing 3000 W. 6000 W surge?

Coffee machine? Save it for when you're in a van park with mains available. Otherwise, consider something like the Wacaco Nanopresso for when you're off-grid.

Kettle? Seriously? These days, there are gas burners available. Much more efficient way to produce heat.

Edit: Do you carry a cordless drill as part of your tool kit? If so, something like this might be a cheaper and more efficient solution: https://adelaidetools.com.au/makita-...xoCyh4QAvD_BwE

the idea was to upgrade the solar and battery system so we can free camp day or two (I wont call it off grid) and inverter idea came about.

My coffee machine got 1300-1600w on the label, can I get away with ''lesser'' rated inverter?

top idea from makita there.

[Ian H]

I second the idea of the Nanopresso for coffee. I use one and it's great.

An inverter for a kettle ??? Why not use gas or what I have, a Kelly Kettle.

There's lots of reasons not to use a 3000w inverter. Battery drain, storage space, extra weight.

[nj swb]

the idea was to upgrade the solar and battery system so we can free camp day or two (I wont call it off grid) and inverter idea came about.

My coffee machine got 1300-1600w on the label, can I get away with ''lesser'' rated inverter?

Yes.

These devices will generally draw power in line with the load they're supplying - so if your coffee machine is drawing 1600W (worst case) the inverter should be drawing a similarly reduced amount of power.

But nothing is ever that simple.

A 3000 W inverter isn't likely to achieve peak efficiency at (roughly) half its rating. So your coffee machine might still draw 150 amps.

Power factor also comes into the equation. 1600W AC with an unfriendly power factor (significantly less than 1) can draw more current than a straight resistive load (with a power factor of 1). However, as your coffee machine is rated 1300 to 1600 W, working with a 1600 W resistive load is probably suitably conservative for calculations, and 150 A is probably reasonable.

In reality, I expect your coffee machine is basically two primary loads - a heater (the biggest bit, probably purely resistive) and the pump (less power, but lower power factor). How long does your coffee machine take to make your coffees, from a cold start?

Let's work on 12 minutes - that's 0.2 hours, so a little easier for the calculations.

150 A for 0.2 hours is a nominal 30 Ah. That doesn't sound too bad if you have a 200 Ah battery bank. Remembering that a 200 Ah battery bank might be rated at a C20 or C10 discharge rate.

C20 means the 200 Ah is based on discharging the battery's capacity over 20 hours, or at 10 A.

C10 means the 200 Ah is based on discharging over 10 hours, or at 20 A.

Discharging at 150 A means a lot more of the battery's energy is lost in the internal resistance - so 30 Ah at 150 A will drain the battery significantly more than discharging the same battery at 10 A.

Either way, a reasonable size battery bank is feasible for making a couple of coffees each, each morning. (Seriously, who can start the day with only one coffee?)

So, let's say you have a 200 Ah battery bank, and consume 60 Ah worth of coffee each morning. How much solar will you need to replace that?

60 Ah at 12V is 720 Wh (Watt-hours). Depending on where you are (latitude), time of year and weather, you might get anywhere between 5 and 8 hours effective sun on your solar panels in a day (sometimes even less, unlikely to get much more). Working with 6 hours effective (the numbers work nicely), you'll need 120 W of solar panels just to replace the power drawn by your morning coffee. If you splash out and buy 180 W of panels, you'll only need 4 hours of effective sun each day to ensure your batteries are restored to full capacity for your next morning's coffee. That's before you consider any other electrical loads, like lighting, or recharging your camera batteries, or the laptop you use to download your photos, or the satellite internet you use to check up on the PajeroClub forum every night.

Or you can boil the billy on a gas stove, and use a Nanopresso, safe in the knowledge that you're living the life many of us are still looking forward to.

[Nab]

A mate bought a cheap 1500W inverter for the sole purpose of making his morning cuppa! He uses a Nespresso pod machine and milk warmer/frother, the pod part takes about 30s and the milk maybe 1.5-2mins. Good for a couple coffees before he travels for the day!!!

[nj swb]

He uses a Nespresso pod machine...

Aren't we talking about coffee?

(Sorry OJ... )

[Dicko1]

Toughen up buttercup.Plenty of gas alternatives. Save your batteries. Camping is now the favourite pastime of softcooks who have to have the latest gadgets from home with them. Dont become a glamper!!!. Once you have come out of the closet there is no turning back. Do your home work and you find an excellent gas coffee maker for the price of a reasonable inverter.

[PradoEater]

Toughen up buttercup.Plenty of gas alternatives. Save your batteries. Camping is now the favourite pastime of softcooks who have to have the latest gadgets from home with them. Dont become a glamper!!!. Once you have come out of the closet there is no turning back. Do your home work and you find an excellent coffee maker for the price of a reasonable inverter.

Isn’t the whole reason of buying a van to do glampimg?

Machine is Nespresso pod type, takes about a minute for short black milk part extra day another 2-3 min.

I’m in the process of installing extra solar panels total max rated of 750 ish watts.
Also I’ll be sourcing some lifepo4 as well.

I was looking at the 3000 inverter as I know they will be over rated as the cheap solar panels.

Thanks for the feed back guys

[Dicko1]

Isn’t the whole reason of buying a van to do glampimg?

Machine is Nespresso pod type, takes about a minute for short black milk part extra day another 2-3 min.

I’m in the process of installing extra solar panels total max rated of 750 ish watts.
Also I’ll be sourcing some lifepo4 as well.

I was looking at the 3000 inverter as I know they will be over rated as the cheap solar panels.

Thanks for the feed back guys

Lithium are a completely different ballgame for using an inverter as compared to the usual agm,s most people have fitted. They can take a big amp pull with bugger all issues.


Heres a link to a battery I am considering when my Pajeros batteries die...https://www.lfp.net.au/product-page/lfp12150c-bt


or a 120 amp from itech.....Only reason I will go to lithium in the rear seat is that the two batteries weigh 73kg compared to 25kg for lithium. The weight saving will allow me to carry my outboard motor in the rear when going camping. 2000watt quality, pure sine wave inverter is all thats required. . Ebay specials are shite and could actually cause a fire or wire meltdown...have seen them do this when we were mucking around with inverters a few years ago. Buy from a reputable dealer.



Just a tip with cheap solar panels.....make sure you test them upon receiving them. I had 2 sets of 200watt folding panels ( 4 panels of 50 watts each) and both were crap. First one ...only 1 panel worked..2.7amps! Second panel...only 2 segments worked..6.2 amps...Got my money back BUT was allowed to keep all the panels. I made a 150watt foldable panel for nothing!!. These panels were $350 each originally. Just ensure you test and you can get a refund/replacement and they bear the cost of postage back (if they want it back). This was about 3 weeks ago.

[PradoEater]

Thanks dicko.

Inverter project Will wait for few weeks now as I haven’t decided on buying one yet. I’ve seen few utube videos now where they open them up and surprise surprise 12-16awg wires coming out the other side of terminals

Regarding to solar panels I ordered few from sunyee on eBay I’ll see what comes in the box got my self a watt meter.

I was looking at the same website regarding lithium’s I see they sell 3.2 v cells it looks interesting, maybe a discussion on another thread.

[Dicko1]

Thanks dicko.

Inverter project Will wait for few weeks now as I haven’t decided on buying one yet. I’ve seen few utube videos now where they open them up and surprise surprise 12-16awg wires coming out the other side of terminals

Regarding to solar panels I ordered few from sunyee on eBay I’ll see what comes in the box got my self a watt meter.

I was looking at the same website regarding lithium’s I see they sell 3.2 v cells it looks interesting, maybe a discussion on another thread.

The ones I talked about were from Sunyee. Obviously their quality control is not the best..BUT..their promptness for warranty and actual handling of my complaint was first class..

[PradoEater]

The ones I talked about were from Sunyee. Obviously their quality control is not the best..BUT..their promptness for warranty and actual handling of my complaint was first class..

Oh ok cheers for that.

I just stumbled across this inverter at Jaycar https://www.jaycar.com.au/2000-watt-...erter/p/MI5740
This should be at least a semi decent unit no??!?!

[Dicko1]

Jayco use a lot of cheap imported Chinese stuff. HOWEVER...If you buy local from the shop at least it is easy to deal direct and get a warranty claim, if required. I just ordered a Pjrojecta 300 watt pure sine (about $240) just to recharge my 18 volt milwaukee chainsaw and drills....retiring the heavy Husky petrol chainsaw. Keep the inverters leads short and ensure a really good contact to the battery...dont use alligator grips as the often dont get a solid connection. Keep us informed of how you go as others also may have an interest in how the Jaycar unit performs.

[sharkcaver]

Hmmmm, coffeeeee.

My mate recently purchased an inverter for his frother. He still makes his coffee with the nanopresso though.

https://youtu.be/zOk3CfLYdyU?t=247

It can be done - but at what cost?

For me, personally, I'll just heat my milk on the stove, use a battery frother and my nanopresso. You can buy an nspresso adaptor for them, which I have in my work bag - It's easier than using ground at work. But they do take the boil of the water, hence the heated milk.

Pradoeater, your setup sounds like massive overkill to me, just for coffee, for one or two days at most - namely 750W of solar, Lifepo4 batteries and a 3Kv inverter . Sounds like a good caravan set up.

Keep it simple IMO, less to go wrong to spoil those one or two days at a time without coffee.