Pure Sine VS Modified Wave Inverters

[TygerCub]

For you guys who use their laptop in their bus... what type of inverter are you using? I know the "pure sine wave" is preferred for sensitive electronics like computers, TVs and sound systems. But is anyone using a modified sine wave inverter for their laptop/cell phone/camera/etc...?

I will have a laptop that uses approximately 65 Watts under load. A ShurFlo pump that uses 85 Watts while working, and various battery chargers that will be plugged in while underway. I originally thought to charge my electronics batteries directly from the crank batteries while driving using the standard cigarette lighter inverter plugs. But if I'm parked for more than a day, that will not be practical and I'll want to be able to charge or run stuff while parked in a boondock location. The solar panels/deep cell batteries will supply power, but I want to ensure I don't trash the batteries of the laptop by using 'dirty' power.

Any advice based on real world experience would be greatly appreciated.

[somewhereinusa]

I used modified sine wave inverters for years in the semi. Powered everything with it. Laptop,desktop,laser printer,refrigerator,microwave. I had no ill effects on anything, except maybe microwave was a little down on power vs shore power.

[bansil]

Normally mod sine may effect elec timers like on microwaves things that use the elec "wave" to calculate time.
Most laptops have a "brick" on the cord that will smoooth out the incoming wave lengths as it "converters" to laptop power,also reg computers d the same as the power supply drops voltage down.
Def. Watch the timer when cooking so you can adust the time in real life.
Instead of a typical power invertor take a look at IOTA inverters and chargers with IQ4
I will try to post 2morrow a link.

[TygerCub]

Thanks guys. The info really helps.

[icnivad]

Another thing that modified sine wave can't do well, is run a sound system. I get a whine through my speakers if I try to run our sound stage at BM off of modified sine wave. Other than that, it's been fine.

[GreyEagle]

My thought was that the laptop ran off it's battery and all incoming electric was filtered through the battery.???????? but I have been wrong before (once) she's dead now.....

[opus]

Originally Posted by GreyEagle

My thought was that the laptop ran off it's battery and all incoming electric was filtered through the battery.???????? but I have been wrong before (once) she's dead now.....

You're about right. Laptop chargers are pretty forgiving.

[lapeer20m]

i've ran hundreds of different devices off of cheap modified sin wave inverters for the past 10 years. Almost everything has worked just fine, including microwave, jacuzzi pumps, toaster, chargers, computers, power tools, tv's stereo's, DJ equipment, lights, etc.....

A couple things i've found that were unhappy: UPS backup power supply, charger for my palm pilot, and an x-10 type remote control device i bought from radio shack.

Those are the only things that come to mind.

[TygerCub]

I ended up buying the 1000 watt inverter from Northern Tool.


It should do the trick and if not, then I bought a battery powered lamp and battery powered fan for those "down times", and can always find a starbucks where I can plug the laptop in while on the road.