Does anyone use a "clip on" type power invertor?

The Tardis factor (interiors , awnings, roofs etc)

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

User avatar
binka
Registered user
Posts: 291
Joined: 31 May 2009, 15:23
80-90 Mem No: 6869
Location: lincoln

Does anyone use a "clip on" type power invertor?

Post by binka »

I've been looking at this in Maplin's

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=383741" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and thought it looked an easy option for the occasional times when it would be good to have electrics and I'm not near EHU. Mainly thinking of laptop use. I'd be no good at wiring in a proper invertor and I'm guessing it would be quite expensive to have one professionally fitted. I've got a leisure battery in the van so was thinking about clipping this on to it when needed. The other option I'd been looking into was a cigarette charger for the laptop but thats nearly 3x the price of the invertor. Plus I could always use the invertor for other things such as hair dryers and other girly type essentials. :D

So does anyone have similar to this and is it any good?

Thanks. :ok

dirtygertie
Registered user
Posts: 2802
Joined: 24 Nov 2007, 20:02
80-90 Mem No: 4501
Location: wolverhampton

Re: Does anyone use a "clip on" type power invertor?

Post by dirtygertie »

mine plugs into the cigarette lighter socket (that is run from my leisure battery) and its ideal for running a laptop - we watched dvd's on our laptop every evening for a week on our jollies....'tis also good for charging phones and hand held gamers.

I'm not sure how much I paid though cos I stole it from Nigel :mrgreen:

I think you have to make sure its got enough watts otherwise it'll be pants
Karen x

We're in the stickiest situation since Sticky the Stick Insect got stuck on a sticky bun. -hmmmmm

1982 2l Aircooled with a name!

jed the spread
Trader
Posts: 9020
Joined: 09 Oct 2005, 17:31
80-90 Mem No: 1967
Location: Sutton in'it Syncronaut: 123
Contact:

Re: Does anyone use a "clip on" type power invertor?

Post by jed the spread »

binka wrote:I've been looking at this in Maplin's

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=383741" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and thought it looked an easy option for the occasional times when it would be good to have electrics and I'm not near EHU. Mainly thinking of laptop use. I'd be no good at wiring in a proper invertor and I'm guessing it would be quite expensive to have one professionally fitted. I've got a leisure battery in the van so was thinking about clipping this on to it when needed. The other option I'd been looking into was a cigarette charger for the laptop but thats nearly 3x the price of the invertor. Plus I could always use the invertor for other things such as hair dryers and other girly type essentials. :D

So does anyone have similar to this and is it any good?

Thanks. :ok

They are mainly all like that really. You just take the clips off and connect the wires to the battery terminals. It would take 5 minutes to fit, here is a picture of one like that in my camper, look at the side of the kitchen unit behind the front seat,

Image

I fitted a smaller one in my doublecab glovebox too as i wanted that one hidden,

jed
CAMPERVANCULTURE.COM

VW T25 Van Spares, Westfalia Parts, Quality Camping Gear & More

User avatar
AngeloEvs
Registered user
Posts: 1345
Joined: 22 Nov 2007, 19:22
80-90 Mem No: 4709
Location: Upwell, Norfolk

Re: Does anyone use a "clip on" type power invertor?

Post by AngeloEvs »

Before you decide just check the power rating of the 'girly type' appliances. 200W may not be enough but I'm no girly and haven't a clue what their power consumption is. The ones that are wired to the battery could be fitted with clips but IMO, any power invertor is best clamped to the battery terminals if you intend to use anything that requires more than 100W. Seems ok and solves your problem but a standard fitting invertor only needs a few screws to secure it to a panel and the wires attached to the battery clamps. Someone should be able to do that for you and you can select from a wider range of invertors as well. Mine is 300W and about the same price as the one you have listed. See what others say........... :D
1987 DG Karisma LPG with remodelled interior

jed the spread
Trader
Posts: 9020
Joined: 09 Oct 2005, 17:31
80-90 Mem No: 1967
Location: Sutton in'it Syncronaut: 123
Contact:

Re: Does anyone use a "clip on" type power invertor?

Post by jed the spread »

Yeh the one in my picture is a 400w one i think and that was on sale from Mapins for not much more. Good thing about them for me is you dont have to spend a fortune on a 12v charger for everything.

jed
CAMPERVANCULTURE.COM

VW T25 Van Spares, Westfalia Parts, Quality Camping Gear & More

User avatar
binka
Registered user
Posts: 291
Joined: 31 May 2009, 15:23
80-90 Mem No: 6869
Location: lincoln

Re: Does anyone use a "clip on" type power invertor?

Post by binka »

OK, have checked. My hairdryer is 1200 watts. :shock: So that might be a no go.

A cheaper inverter there is 120w and that says it powers "most" laptops. The model I linked to is 200w, not enough for the hairdryer but should be fine for a laptop. I'll have a look at standard fit ones as well as that doesn't sound too complicated to fit.

Thanks.

jed the spread
Trader
Posts: 9020
Joined: 09 Oct 2005, 17:31
80-90 Mem No: 1967
Location: Sutton in'it Syncronaut: 123
Contact:

Re: Does anyone use a "clip on" type power invertor?

Post by jed the spread »

Anything with a heating element is a no go i am afraid. If you want to style your hair while away You could always find a hedge and drag yourself backwards through it :mrgreen:

jed
CAMPERVANCULTURE.COM

VW T25 Van Spares, Westfalia Parts, Quality Camping Gear & More

User avatar
Team28crew
Registered user
Posts: 190
Joined: 29 Jul 2008, 20:26
80-90 Mem No: 5770
Location: Wirral

Re: Does anyone use a "clip on" type power invertor?

Post by Team28crew »

12v hair dryer at 168W, so now you (like the Mrs) can have a girly gadget in the camper :ok

http://www.leisureshopdirect.com/campin ... px?aff=122
1986 1.9DF LeisureDrive Hi Top LPG'd by Gasure

User avatar
very_bland
Registered user
Posts: 253
Joined: 11 Oct 2009, 01:19
80-90 Mem No: 7610
Location: Stourbridge

Re: Does anyone use a "clip on" type power invertor?

Post by very_bland »

Cig lighter hair dryer.
http://www.outdoorgb.com/p/12v_hair_dryer_18081/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Might be poo though!

dirtygertie
Registered user
Posts: 2802
Joined: 24 Nov 2007, 20:02
80-90 Mem No: 4501
Location: wolverhampton

Re: Does anyone use a "clip on" type power invertor?

Post by dirtygertie »

give up on the hairdryer......you may as well get a bee to fart on your hair as get a 12v hairdryer! :mrgreen:

Get a Hat!
Karen x

We're in the stickiest situation since Sticky the Stick Insect got stuck on a sticky bun. -hmmmmm

1982 2l Aircooled with a name!

User avatar
horns
Registered user
Posts: 2170
Joined: 19 Apr 2009, 13:44
80-90 Mem No: 6743
Location: London

Re: Does anyone use a "clip on" type power invertor?

Post by horns »

Inverters are pants, inefficient, and more trouble than they're worth. Get the DC-DC laptop supply instead.
1986 Westfalia Joker 1.6TD

User avatar
Team28crew
Registered user
Posts: 190
Joined: 29 Jul 2008, 20:26
80-90 Mem No: 5770
Location: Wirral

Re: Does anyone use a "clip on" type power invertor?

Post by Team28crew »

you may as well get a bee to fart on your hair as get a 12v hairdryer! :mrgreen:

:rofl

Great just saved me £12 :ok My camper will remain girly gadget free :D
1986 1.9DF LeisureDrive Hi Top LPG'd by Gasure

User avatar
very_bland
Registered user
Posts: 253
Joined: 11 Oct 2009, 01:19
80-90 Mem No: 7610
Location: Stourbridge

Re: Does anyone use a "clip on" type power invertor?

Post by very_bland »

Team28crew wrote: Great just saved me £12 :ok My camper will remain girly gadget free :D

:lol:

Manly hairdryer then :
http://www.safield.co.uk/portable-campi ... =froogleUK" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

User avatar
binka
Registered user
Posts: 291
Joined: 31 May 2009, 15:23
80-90 Mem No: 6869
Location: lincoln

Re: Does anyone use a "clip on" type power invertor?

Post by binka »

I seem to have perfected the "dragged thorugh a hedge backwards" style without even needing a hedge. I will have to buy more hats. :ok

User avatar
binka
Registered user
Posts: 291
Joined: 31 May 2009, 15:23
80-90 Mem No: 6869
Location: lincoln

Re: Does anyone use a "clip on" type power invertor?

Post by binka »

Manly hairdryer then :
http://www.safield.co.uk/portable-campi" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... =froogleUK

Ooooh, maybe I could utilise my Propex heater!

Locked