What to do with a DC to AC power inverter?

[wil3]

I recently acquired by accident a 750 watt DC to AC power inverter, designed for powering AC appliances off of a car battery or other 12V power source. I have no need for such functionality.

I am really interested in high voltage projects and I was wondering if there are any interesting modifications I can make to the inverter. Is there a way to make a high voltage or current AC to DC rectifier from it (this could be useful for my electroplating projects)? Can I make an HV AC power supply from it somehow?

In general, is there anything interesting at all that I can do with it besides scrapping it for parts?

*Do not lock this thread for my safety. I will work with the utmost caution and avoid any dangerous situations. I have built a resonant Tesla Coil and so I have the necessary experience dealing with high voltage. I simply am new to modern high power systems like integrated circuit power inverters.

**In addition, please do not lock this thread due to fear of propagation of dangerous ideas and the safety of others. Very few inexperienced people will happen upon 750 Watt power inverters in their lifetime, and so it is unlikely some impressionable toddler will glean from this thread a manner of putting themselves in harm's way.

Thank you in advance for any ideas!

 

[dlgoff]

In general, is there anything interesting at all that I can do with it besides scrapping it for parts?

Send it to me. I'll make use of it as it is.

 

[dr dodge]

. Very few inexperienced people will happen upon 750 Watt power inverters in their lifetime,

750 watt inverters are common products. They can be purchased for under $60. I have 2 that I use for power outages to run the various "household needs"

dr

 

[HickmanENG.]

I recently acquired by accident a 750 watt DC to AC power inverter, designed for powering AC appliances off of a car battery or other 12V power source. I have no need for such functionality.

Can I make an HV AC power supply from it somehow?



Thank you in advance for any ideas!

Yes you can. HV is two legs of 110. (220) But if you do that the amps will be cut in half.Instead of 6 amps it will be only 3 amps. What use would you have with a HV 3amp power supply?

Hmmm... maybe run a European electric razor.

 

[pallidin]

Yeah, I was glad I kept mine around "as-is" a few years ago, cause the weather caused an extended power outage.
Pulled the battery out of our second car, hooked it up to the inverter and plugged a lamp in.
We were the only one for several blocks that had a light on.

 

[Mech_Engineer]

**In addition, please do not lock this thread due to fear of propagation of dangerous ideas and the safety of others. Very few inexperienced people will happen upon 750 Watt power inverters in their lifetime, and so it is unlikely some impressionable toddler will glean from this thread a manner of putting themselves in harm's way.

Fist of all, just asking mods not to lock the thread is useless. You can easily read the forum's posting guidelines and see whether your thread meets them.

Secondly, automotive inverters are common and cheap (I personally have a 500W one in my vehicle- it cost $35). I'm not sure what makes you think they are rare and expensive pieces of tech, here is a 750W one for $50 http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=66817".

Yes you can. HV is two legs of 110. (220) But if you do that the amps will be cut in half.Instead of 6 amps it will be only 3 amps. What use would you have with a HV 3amp power supply?

Hmmm... maybe run a European electric razor.

When the OP says high voltage he means multiple thousands of volts, not 220v.

 

[dr dodge]

my cheap 650 watt inverter only outputs 110. even i go between the 2 hots on the plug (which actually reads 0 voltage)
apparently some are only single phase

dr

 

[sophiecentaur]

If you have a mains inverter then just plug in a commercial HV Power supply to it and get the volts you want. You can then do your experiments on the move or at home. - with or without the free inverter yo have.

 

[gzglad200]

its not too difficult.