Inverter question - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G

10/27/2005 03:51:57 PM · #1

Anyone got a lead on a decent but inexpensive inverter? Walmart has a 750 watt but it hooks to the battery. I'm just not sure about the Radio Shack items that plug into the lighter.

Thanks for any links or help on this.

Kev

vikas

Apple iPhone 13

10/27/2005 03:58:22 PM · #2

And I thought you were referring to an inverter with transistors ... oops!! this is a photography forum !!

Message edited by author 2005-10-27 15:59:29.

wavelength

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

10/27/2005 04:02:53 PM · #3

I thought he was talking about a lens inverter. :o)

sabphoto

Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+

10/27/2005 04:05:40 PM · #4

I use the one that plugs into the lighter and has two plugs, very nice, I've had it for a long time. I wish I could get you the brand name but I leant it to a friend on a road trip, I know it's blue if that helps. Was about $50 but not from Radio Shack, I think I got it here on my military base. I see them all the time in truck stops and large gas stations on the highway.

jrtodd

Nikon D850

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

10/27/2005 04:07:50 PM · #5

Drop in a truck stop, they sell larger inverters for pretty good prices.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

10/27/2005 04:12:17 PM · #6

great idea. Thanks

wavelength

Nikon D300

10/27/2005 04:12:35 PM · #7

Originally posted by jrtodd:

Drop in a truck stop, they sell larger inverters for pretty good prices.

Oh, those!

Yeah, I saw a 500watt one in a Pilot station for $25. Plugged into a lighter also.

I'd like to see a component type one that you could install wall-type plugs into the doors and under the dash instead of the thing sitting under the seat. Guess you coud just use a plug adapter in the trunk, and then run wiring from there. hmm...

sabphoto

Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+

10/27/2005 04:25:23 PM · #8

Originally posted by wavelength:

Originally posted by jrtodd:
Drop in a truck stop, they sell larger inverters for pretty good prices.

Oh, those!

Yeah, I saw a 500watt one in a Pilot station for $25. Plugged into a lighter also.

I'd like to see a component type one that you could install wall-type plugs into the doors and under the dash instead of the thing sitting under the seat. Guess you coud just use a plug adapter in the trunk, and then run wiring from there. hmm...

I seem to remember seeing that some of the newer cars (I think the hybrids) have actual power outlets for things like your cell phone and stuff instead of needing an adapter. Makes sense to me

jrtodd

Nikon D850

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

10/27/2005 04:48:33 PM · #9

Kevin I don't know what your budget is but AlienBees sells these. I have the 300 and it works well, even with my 3 600 plugged in. It comes with a 12V adaptor.

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/27/2005 05:33:46 PM · #10

Here's a couple links for you. The Coleman looks good. I have a slightly smaller version of this Coleman and it works nicely. This store is great, lots of cool tool-stuff in their catalog. I have a store close-by (sort-of) so I've never ordered online from them though.

Coleman 800 watt continuous for $69

Other inverters at Harbout Freight

Edit: Just found the Coleman here for $49.

Message edited by author 2005-10-27 17:40:28.

EddyG

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

10/27/2005 06:47:26 PM · #11

Kevin, you don't say what your intended use is... but a lot of inverters use a "modified sine wave" output (instead of a pure sine wave output like you get from the local electric company). This can be bad for certain electronics that depend on true sine wave power (and I think Alien Bees may be just such an item, hence the reason for their special Vagabond battery that John linked to which explicitly lists in bold print "true sine wave power".)

Anyway, just wanted to mention it.

Message edited by author 2005-10-27 18:48:20.

10/27/2005 06:52:22 PM · #12

Hey, Eddy, thanks.

I'm actually going out to shoot with the Vagabond but even with the dual battery version I run outta juice after a little while so I wanted to recharge the Vagabond as we're driving from one location to the next this weekend. I wasn't going to run the lights off the inverter but I do want to juice up the Vagabond. Heck, I think I'll just call AB tomorrow and see what they have to say about using an inverter to top off the Vagabond.

Thanks all.

Kev