What to do with a DC to AC power inverter?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential uses and modifications of a 750 watt DC to AC power inverter, particularly in the context of high voltage projects, solar energy applications, and emergency power supply scenarios. Participants explore various ideas for repurposing the inverter beyond its original design for powering AC appliances from a 12V source.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in modifying the inverter for high voltage applications, such as creating a high voltage AC power supply or a rectifier for electroplating projects.
  • Another suggests using the inverter for camping purposes to power small devices, or selling it if it is not needed.
  • Several participants propose connecting solar panels to the inverter, discussing the feasibility and requirements for doing so, including the need for batteries to manage power supply effectively.
  • Concerns are raised about the inverter's capacity to handle high powered appliances and the implications of running such loads.
  • Some participants question the inverter's sinewave output and its ability to handle inductive loads, indicating a need for further clarification on its specifications.
  • There are discussions about the costs associated with solar panels and batteries, with varying opinions on the practicality of achieving the necessary amperage for optimal inverter performance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best use of the inverter. Multiple competing views are presented regarding its potential modifications, practical applications, and the logistics of integrating it with solar energy systems.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the inverter's specifications, such as sinewave output and load handling capabilities. There are also unresolved discussions about the necessary solar panel and battery configurations to effectively utilize the inverter.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals involved in DIY electronics, renewable energy projects, or those looking for alternative power solutions for emergencies or off-grid living.

wil3
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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!
 
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You don't have to use it at full capacity. if you ever went camping, you could run a shaver or a computer off it, for example.

However, if you really don't need it, you could sell it and get something you could use.

Such a power source would be worth money to the right people, especially if it has a clean sinewave output.
 
Hook some Solar Panels up to it. 12V Panels aren't hard to find and it's free energy you can use for a bunch of things. That's what I would do with it, but that's me. I would even maybe puts some batteries in between to have a backup power supply for a coffee maker or something...anyways

-------------
Justin Coulston
justin.coulston@gmail.com
TheModernEngineer.blogspot.com
 
Does it have sinewave output, and will it handle inductive loads? Send it to me, and I'll take it apart for you.
 
Jcouls29 said:
Hook some Solar Panels up to it. 12V Panels aren't hard to find and it's free energy you can use for a bunch of things. That's what I would do with it, but that's me. I would even maybe puts some batteries in between to have a backup power supply for a coffee maker or something...anyways

-------------
Justin Coulston
justin.coulston@gmail.com
TheModernEngineer.blogspot.com


You would need over 60amps@ 12v of panels. That wouldn't be cheap.
 
It sounds like an absolutely great thing to have during a storm outage. You could power your fridge intermittantly to keep the food fresh. Also, if your like me, you're depent upon a 24 volt transformer and 120VAC to bring my gas furnace up. Again, you machine would be great in a winter storm.

As for solar powered projects, it's a matter of charging a battry for an exended to, so that you may use you high power applinces for a short time.
 
Mike_In_Plano said:
It sounds like an absolutely great thing to have during a storm outage. You could power your fridge intermittantly to keep the food fresh. Also, if your like me, you're depent upon a 24 volt transformer and 120VAC to bring my gas furnace up. Again, you machine would be great in a winter storm.

As for solar powered projects, it's a matter of charging a battry for an exended to, so that you may use you high power applinces for a short time.

750watts is useful but to try to run high powered appliances would not be recommended. I would recommend a 2000watt inverter run off of a 100Ah battery And if solar is the main charging station, a 30amp @12v would be the fastest charging I would recommend. but no less than 10amps.

So you would need a 120watt solar panel minimum. But since running off of a battery, you can only run power until the battery is depleted
 
HickmanENG. said:
You would need over 60amps@ 12v of panels. That wouldn't be cheap.

That's not necessarily true.

1) Most inverters you don't have to use to their full potential for them to work. If I had only 10 amps of 12V panel then the inverter would convert only 10 amps. Now when the load has a greater need than that...well...

2) It really wouldn't be smart to hook panels directly to it anyways. It would be best to have some batteries hooked between the 2. So the panels charge the batteries and the batteries provide the 60 amps. Now getting a hold of 60A-hrs (this can really be anything depending on how long you want to run something) worth of batteries could get expensive but you would have to do it over time. Then the panels wouldn't matter so much. 10 amps worth of solar panels could almost charge 60A-hrs of batteries in a day (almost it may only roughly 50 A-hrs on 1 sun-day which is ~4.5-5 hrs)

I plan on doing this to my home, that's why I brought it up.

You are correct though. 60A of panels would be needed for full capabilities, and yes that is expensive HA!

Later

[EDIT] I didn't notice you already posted about it, apologies. That I knew

----------------
Justin Coulston
justin.coulston@gmail.com
TheModernEngineer.blogspot.com
 
  • #10
Jcouls29 said:
I plan on doing this to my home, that's why I brought it up.

You are correct though. 60A of panels would be needed for full capabilities, and yes that is expensive HA!

Later

[EDIT] I didn't notice you already posted about it, apologies.



----------------
Justin Coulston
justin.coulston@gmail.com
TheModernEngineer.blogspot.com




Actually 60amps wouldn't really be enough for full capabilities of a 750watt inverter. They can peak way over 1000watts.

I think it is worth the investment in solar panels for your home. In the long run you will have the return. Not to mention any surplus that can be sent back through the grid for meantime return. I believe you can claim that on your federal taxes too. (if in the US)
 

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