Car converter to outlet: Outlet Car Charger : Target

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Honorable Mention

Duracell 800W High-Power Inverter

Honorable Mention

Duracell 800W High-Power Inverter

$100 at Walmart$140 at Home Depot$127 at QVC

Credit: Gannon Burgett

Pros

• High wattage rating

Cons

• Blew our vehicle’s fuse, bypassing the inverter’s internal fuse
• Too bulky to use regularly inside the car
• No USB-C ports

No, this isn’t a supersized Duracell battery, but we do like the design. The Duracell 800W power inverter is a true brick, capable of producing up to 800 watts when directly connected to the battery. It’s rated at 175 watts when connected to the cigarette-lighter port.

It’s lacking in port options, with just one USB and two AC outlets. It also failed our device test, powering an iPhone, battery charger, and hair dryer—but blowing the vehicle’s fuse. It should’ve blown its internal fuse before that but somehow didn’t.

While there are definitely applications for larger devices connected to the battery, this inverter is just too unwieldy to keep and use regularly inside the vehicle.

How We Tested Power Inverters

Gannon Burgett|Car and Driver

We wanted to test power inverters in the same way most people would use them. The no-brainer test ended up being, “If I plug this in, will it work?” While this was the main parameter we wanted to try, we included other valuable data in our test results. Gear Team Tester Katherine lent her dependable 2001 Ford E-150—affectionately known as Rhonda—for this test, and it was a true vehicular champ.

For our main supported devices test, we plugged in various gizmos starting at the lowest wattage and working our way up. Our first devices were iPhone and iPad chargers, then we progressed through a Milwaukee battery charger, a blender, a dual-action polisher, and finally, a hair dryer. Here’s the power draw for each device we measured with a Kill-A-Watt:

• iPhone charger: 14 watts
• iPad charger: 14 watts
• Milwaukee battery charger: 90 watts
• Blender: 290 watts at peak, 125 watts continuous
• Polisher: 260 watts at peak
• Hair Dryer: 547 watts at peak

We stacked these devices in ascending watt-usage order until the internal power inverter fuse popped or, in two cases, the 20-amp vehicle fuse blew. We then took notes on how much each inverter could take and which fuse blew first for our surge protection test.

We counted the number of USB and AC ports each inverter had, along with the weight via a mail scale. We then measured the power-cord length from the base of the inverter to the end of the plug. And finally, we took notes on the usability of each inverter.

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Things to Consider When Shopping for a Power Inverter

Gannon Burgett|Car and Driver

There are a whole bunch of different power inverters out there, each with different wattage ratings. Which one do you get? To make your power-inverter party run smoothly, here are some things to consider.

Wattage rating: This might be the most important factor when it comes to buying a power inverter. All it takes is some simple math to know if an inverter can handle what you want to plug in. Multiply the voltage (5 volts for USB, 12 volts for cigarette lighter, and 120 volts for an AC) by the amperage of your device to get the wattage. Compare that to the wattage rating of your power inverter, and that’ll tell you if it can handle the draw.

Another thing to check is your vehicle’s fuse rating for the 12-volt port—the fuse on our test van was 20 amps. By doing the math, that circuit can handle 240 watts. Any draw above that will pop the fuse.

The easy solution is to just install a larger fuse, right? Wrong. That entire circuit, including the size of the wiring, is rated for no more than 20 amps. If you demand more, you run the risk of starting an electrical fire. If you need to run a high-wattage device, consider getting a power inverter that hooks directly to the vehicle battery—which can handle a lot more juice than the 12-volt cigarette lighter.

Number of outlets: Check to see how many USB and AC outlets the power inverter offers. They’re all a bit different, and it’s important to double-check that an inverter has the ability to handle what you need.

Power-cord length: If you need devices to reach the inverter from the back seat, it’s important to take the power-cord length into consideration. There’s nothing worse than taut cords reaching from every seat like a spider’s web.

Heat: These little devices work hard to put out the power you need. A side effect of this is heat, and the devices can get piping hot if powered on for long periods of time. Keep that in mind, and make sure it doesn’t melt delicate surfaces or those road-trip chocolate chip cookies.

FAQs

Gannon Burgett|Car and Driver

What does a power inverter do?

In short, a power inverter changes 12-volt direct current (DC) from your vehicle’s cigarette-lighter port to 120-volt alternating current (AC). The devices you plug into wall outlets use AC, although some of them, such as phone chargers, convert that back to DC.

Do power inverters drain your vehicle’s battery?

Yes, and it’s important to keep an eye on the battery charge level or keep the vehicle running. Some power inverters feature an audible “low-power” beep or shut off when low power is sensed. If you’re looking at getting a larger power inverter that runs off the battery, it’s important to verify your vehicle’s electrical system can handle the strain. Consulting a professional is a safe bet.

How long will it take a power inverter to drain a car battery?

If you use a smaller power inverter for a low draw like charging your laptop, you can expect to get between 30 and 60 minutes of power before your vehicle’s battery dies. This, of course, depends on the draw and state of the battery. It’s best just to leave the vehicle running.

What kinds of things can I use in a power inverter?

It depends on the wattage rating of said power inverter, but typical devices include phone and laptop chargers, small televisions, and gaming systems. Larger power inverters are capable of powering just about anything—your vehicle’s electrical system needs to be significantly upgraded, though.

What do you do if the power inverter’s fuse blows?

Most power inverters come with some extra fuses, and they’re generally easy enough to replace. Simply unscrew the end of the 12-volt plug adapter, remove the cylindrical fuse, drop a new one in, retighten the end, and you’re good to go.

What do you do if the vehicle’s fuse blows?

If your vehicle’s 12-volt cigarette-lighter fuse blows, check the owner’s manual for the fuse locations—there are typically multiple fuse boxes on any given model. Find the fuse for that circuit, and pull out the old fuse with a pair of needle-nose pliers. Hold it up to the light and look for a break in the metal portion. It might even look burnt. Replace it with a fuse of the same amperage rating, and you’re good to go.

Why Trust Us?

Hearst Autos combines the talent, resources, and expertise of three of the largest, most influential automotive publications in the world. The Gear Team has tested a wide variety of automotive products, parts, accessories, and gear, such as GPS trackers for cars, OBD2 scanners, and electric car chargers. We get our hands on each and every product we test. Most are purchased; some are supplied by manufacturers.

Hearst Autos doesn’t need to game algorithms for traffic or promote lousy products to earn a buck. Instead, we’re more concerned with our legacy, our reputation, and the trust that our readers have in Autoweek, Car and Driver, and Road & Track to deliver honest opinions and expert evaluations.

Visit our Tested & Trusted page to see the very best in automotive gear. Read more about our product testing and evaluation process here.

Collin Morgan

Associate Commerce Editor

Collin Morgan is an Associate Commerce Editor at Hearst Autos, where the former Rust Belt mechanic and gadget enthusiast presents the best gear for your automotive endeavors.

Staples® Official Online Store

School supplies, made easy

The success of your students starts with the right supplies. Whether you’re a parent or caregiver with one or more kids in school, or a teacher responsible for an entire classroom, Staples is a one-stop shop for all the school supplies you need. From writing supplies and paper to school tech and furniture, we have everything on your back-to-school list.

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No matter what you do, it’s unlikely that the symptoms of seasonal allergies can be avoided entirely. Make sure to have over-the-counter cold and allergy medications on hand to battle symptoms, and stock up on facial tissues so you’ll always have one available when you need them.

Spring (Cleaning) is in the air

Spring cleaning and decluttering is a tradition meant to refresh our spaces for the year ahead. Staples has everything you need to clear out the clutter, store and organize your belongings, and all the right cleaning supplies.

Clear out the clutter

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Start with the basics

An all-purpose cleaner, cleaning brush and microfiber cloths will clean most surfaces. Use a duster to remove unwanted dirt and furniture polish to revitalize wood surfaces. Upgrade your broom, dustpan, wet mop, and vacuum to make cleaning any type of flooring a breeze.

The nitty gritty

Spring cleaning doesn’t stop there. There’s so much you can do to reset your home:

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Automotive inverters – KOLESA.ru – automotive magazine

• Articles
• 220 volts in a car – everything you need to know about

inverters

Author:
Evgeny Balabas

Summer is the time for road trips, and we take the usual home gadgets, devices and tools with us into the car. However, not all of them can be charged from USB and a cigarette lighter – many will only work from a 220-volt outlet … For this case, car inverters have long been invented – let’s figure out how they work, what properties they should have and where are the limits of their capabilities.

More and more electronic and electrical devices, devices and tools, previously tied to a wall outlet, are becoming wireless. However, the wireless age has not yet arrived, and a huge fleet of equipment is still heavily dependent on power or charging from the 220 volt mains. Changing this technique to a more modern one in order to acquire the ability to power or charge it in a car is irrational and simply wasteful. And the problem does not necessarily apply only to outdated equipment – for example, any fairly modern cordless tool (screwdriver, grinder, jigsaw, chain saw, etc.) is standardly equipped with a mains charger, but a charger for a car cigarette lighter socket is always sold as an option , is expensive, and in the assortment of many brands of power tools it is completely absent!

In such situations, a car inverter will help – a device that converts direct current of 12 volts into alternating current, with a voltage of 220 volts and a traditional two-socket socket for an apartment. In some cars, such a device is available on a regular basis – it is integrated under the skin, and the socket is brought out in the passenger compartment or in the trunk. If there is no such option, it is not difficult to acquire a voltage converter. Let’s see what 12 volt / 220 volt inverters are and what the right gadget should be!

Standard inverter outlet in trunk of Toyota Land CruiserOriginal inverter outlet in trunk of Volkswagen Tiguan

Appearance​

Actually, two interconnected characteristics are power and body shape. Low-power converters-inverters can be designed in the form of a large “adapter” inserted directly into the cigarette lighter, or in the form of a cylinder, with a diameter like a can of soda for installation in a cup holder – with a cable into the same cigarette lighter. This format is very convenient, but significantly limited in power – for the first option, it usually does not exceed 70-100 watts, for the second – 100-150 watts (although more may be announced – depending on the impudence of the manufacturer!). The cooling of such gadgets is usually natural, fanless. Cases are safe, plastic.

Larger inverters are available in rectangular aluminum housings with heatsink fins and purge fans. As a rule, models up to 200 watts of power still have a cigarette lighter cord (and sometimes can even be fanless), but more powerful ones already come with alligator wires for connecting directly to the battery terminals under the hood and with an efficient blowdown cooling system. The move from an easy connection to the cigarette lighter to the not very convenient and unsuitable for use on the move “crocodile” connection is due to the fact that the fuse in the cigarette lighter circuit on most cars does not exceed the rating of 15 amperes. With this current draw, the inverter cannot supply more than two hundred watts to avoid blowing the fuse.

Even more powerful models of voltage converters are limited in power only by the battery and alternator of an average car. On sale there are inverters for power up to 1. 5-2 kilowatts, and even higher. Consider the relationship of power and capabilities in more detail!

Power and load

We will not delve deeply into the efficiency of such converters – it is very high and for simplicity we will consider the power written on the case to be equally related to both the fed load and the current consumed from the car battery.

The most compact devices with a power of less than 100 watts (which include built-in standard inverters) can be powered at best by a laptop charger (and even then with a not very powerful battery), a tablet charger, an electric shaver – if you spend a lot of time in the car, a home fumigator to drive mosquitoes out of the passenger compartment before spending the night, and similar weak small things.

Inverters with a power of 100-200 watts have a wider range of available powered devices, but not radically. Virtually no 220-volt power tool can work through an inverter connected to the cigarette lighter: the frailest “grinder” usually requires at least 400 watts of power, a drill – 300-350 watts, etc. The drill will start if you press its button enough smoothly, but at the slightest load from drilling, protection will work on the converter … Using inverters with a power of under 200 watts, you can power, for example, a cheap orbital (eccentric) grinder – in principle, this is a useful opportunity for those who want to polish the body, but do not have a garage with outlet! Or a multifunctional mini-engraver that allows you to work with small drills, cutters, burs, tiny cutting and grinding wheels, which sometimes helps a lot when repairing a car.

But inverters of 400-500 watts and above already significantly expand the possibilities of driver autonomy. With their help, you can turn on the most diverse and relatively powerful power tools in the field – it is important not to forget to start the engine in order to avoid a quick battery landing. And remember the main thing – for many powerful electrical appliances (especially with electric motors), the short-term starting current exceeds the operating current by one and a half to two times. And the inverter must be designed for such a margin!

What do inverters with a power of 800 watts, 1000 watts, 1500 watts and above allow? You might think that with them the car turns into a power plant that can power a hefty grinder with a 230 mm disk, a small heat gun, a full-fledged vacuum cleaner and much more, but alas, this is not so … The main limiting factor is the power of the car’s generator! Even if we consider the efficiency of the converter-inverter as 100% (although this is not the case), a kilowatt inverter at full load will require 70-80 amperes from the car’s on-board network! Such a high current cannot be safely and permanently transmitted through the point contact of the “crocodile” terminals, and many generators under such a load will work at the limit, which is not at all useful. And this applies not only to generators with a maximum output current of 90 amps, but also more powerful. Over the years, the heat transfer of rectifier diodes pressed into the bridge deteriorates and the resistance at the contact point increases, and at elevated (but not exceeding the permissible limit) currents, the bridge overheats and its failure approaches.

The power of the consumer connected to ANY inverter must always be selected at least 25% less than the limit value in watts written on the inverter case. And especially powerful converters, this applies even to a greater extent! Long-term and reliable power supply from a “kilowatt” inverter connected to a car battery can, at best, be used for devices and tools with a power of 600-700 watts – the rest is laid on peak starting currents.

Overload protection

A very important characteristic of any inverter is the presence of high-quality output overload protection. Connecting a load with a starting current higher than the rated operating current can burn the inverter itself, or at least burn out the cigarette lighter fuse in the machine’s fuse box. A frail 400-watt grinder for the 115th drive, when turned on, takes 500 watts or more for a second, and even a low-power laptop charger, from the moment it is plugged into the outlet, generates a short-term high-current starting pulse, accompanied by a spark and a loud click.

Cheap inverters for protection against connecting too powerful loads are equipped with a simple fuse located inside the cigarette lighter plug – changing it in case of burnout is dreary and not always possible. Therefore, the protection must be electronic and relatively “smart” – the inverter needs to withstand peak overloads for a short time to start electrical appliances and power tools with high starting currents, and in case of a thorough overload, the converter turns off and automatically turns on again with a short delay.

But when buying on Aliexpress (and not only), the type of protection, the algorithm of its operation and the adequacy of operation are quite difficult to understand before purchase – the description does not always reflect reality, and the reviews are inaccurate … It remains to rely on lots with a large number of detailed reviews from people those who have an understanding in electrics, or just hope for luck …

Refinement of a tool for working together with an inverter

– for high starting current. This is often observed when implementing such a common applied task as turning on a “grinder” in the field … If your “grinder” or other tool does not have a button with a speed dependence on the degree of pressing, which allows you to start the tool softly, without inrush current, soft start can be done with your own hands. To do this, you need a universal soft starter module, which can be purchased and easily integrated into almost any device in ten minutes. Such a module looks like a tiny box with two wires, and it is included in the break of any of the two power wires of the electrical appliance – inside the case or even outside, on the go! By the way, it can also be built into the inverter itself …

Is the inverter dangerous? Remember the bearded joke: “Can a 12-volt battery kill a person? Maybe, but only if he falls from the closet on his head … “.

Alas, 220 volts in an inverter is just as dangerous as 220 volts in a home outlet. It is absolutely impossible to take the converter and turn it on with wet hands, and, bearing in mind the total Chinese-nameless origin of most of these gadgets, it is highly advisable to check the current leakage to the case if it is metal in your model. Connect a multimeter to a freshly purchased inverter in AC voltmeter mode: in turn to each of the output jacks and to the case – there should be no voltage on the tester’s probes!

practice

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Inverter, or how to make 220 volts from 12 V in a car?

Who among us does not dream of getting out of a stuffy office on a fine day, jumping into a car and going on an adventure?

♥ BY TOPIC: To Turkey by car through Georgia and Armenia: 12,000 km, route and attractions.

When traveling, it often becomes necessary to charge various gadgets, without which many people can no longer imagine their lives. In such cases, a socket (car inverter) in a car is very useful, which is not difficult to install.

It is difficult to find another accessory for a car that is as useful as a voltage converter (inverter). In short, it adds a 220V outlet to any car, allowing you to plug in anything from a laptop to a flat screen TV.

Imagine a TV (up to 30 inches) that shows live matches right in your car. Or plug in the microwave and warm up something delicious.

♥ BY TOPIC: 7 iPhone and iPad accessories you need to have in every car.

What is a car inverter?

Modern cars are equipped with a huge number of battery-operated devices. They are all rated for 12V, but what about situations where 220V is needed? A car inverter will come to the rescue – a voltage converter from 12 V to 220 V. This is a real lifesaver for motorists, which will allow you to use household appliances in your car, such as a home audio system, TV or refrigerator. A high-quality converter is equipped with protective mechanisms that protect the device from fire in case of overheating. There are also models on the market that provide active cooling of the air type.

Externally, the inverters are small boxes connected to the cigarette lighter or to the electrical system of the car. They are equipped with several outlets for household appliances, and some devices even include USB ports for connecting mobile gadgets.

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Car inverter, or how to make a 220 volt socket in a car?

Almost all modern automotive power converters are equipped with two USB ports and an AC outlet. Dual USB ports can charge most phones and tablets at the same time, while AC outlets are great for lights, laptops, breast pumps, ventilators, inhalers, game consoles, TVs, refrigerators, DVD players, grinders, drills , microwaves, flashlights, iPad and many other electronic devices.

The inverter can be powered from the car’s cigarette lighter using a suitable cable or directly from the battery.

The car inverter is ideal for traveling: it is often a small device, about 20 cm long and about 10 cm wide, compact and handy. Extremely portable and lightweight. Weight – about 1 kg.

A good inverter always has a protection system – a built-in fuse to protect your device. Safe charging design provides protection against overheating, voltage surges, short circuits and overloads.

Rugged metal housing provides improved protection against wet and impact. The built-in ultra-quiet cooling fan helps prevent overheating.

Depending on the planned tasks, when buying, be sure to pay attention to the value of the output power that the converter has.

♥ BY TOPIC: How to choose the right external battery (power bank).

What is the difference between expensive inverters and cheap ones?

Unlike most devices and gadgets, the cost of the converter does not depend on the popularity of the brand, but on its power and other functions. Experts divide inverters into three categories:

Up to 300 W are the least powerful models, which are most often connected through the cigarette lighter. Some devices from this category can be connected directly to the car’s electrical network, but this will require a lot of effort. Basically, motorists buy such devices for charging mobile devices and some laptop models, although most often it is easier to simply connect the charger to the cigarette lighter.

300 W – 1500 W are standard inverters that are connected to the machine’s mains. They can be used to connect a TV, microwave oven, laptops and other appliances.

Over 1500W are extra powerful converters connected only to the vehicle battery. They can be used for work in the wilderness (for example, when it comes to construction).

When choosing an inverter, make sure that it outperforms your gadgets by about 20-30%. Connecting too powerful a device can be fraught with failure of the inverter and damage to the wiring in the car (at least in theory).

If you intend to use appliances that require at least 220V, choose inverters over 1500W, as 300W models are unlikely to provide more than 200V.

Buy 1600W Inverter

Buy 1500W, 2000W, 2600W, 3000W or 4000W Inverter

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Automotive inverter three modes

Start mode – in this mode, the device quickly gives out maximum power in order to “start” something demanding. In this mode, the inverter will not be able to work for a long time.

Normal mode – In this mode, the inverter maintains its normal power for as long as required.

Overload mode is a particularly powerful mode. In this mode, the device can work up to half an hour and produce power that is 1.5 times higher than the declared one.

Any qualified technician will attest that no device can operate at its full capacity for long periods of time. The same goes for inverters – if you do not want the device to fail, try to use it normally and do not overload it too often.

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How to choose the right car inverter

When choosing a converter, consider which devices will be connected to it, as well as a number of other aspects:

1. Vehicle generator power . When buying an inverter, it is worth remembering that its power should not exceed 50% of the generator power so that the converter does not discharge the battery (at least if household appliances are connected to it). Approximately half of its power will be spent on providing the needs of the machine’s systems, and the rest will go to connected devices. If you do not follow this rule, you risk being left with a dead battery.

2. Devices . The converter should be selected based on the expected power of the equipment used, including taking into account data on how much power gadgets require at startup, in normal mode and at peak. As mentioned above, only the most powerful inverters can supply 220V.

3. inverter usage model As a rule, the cigarette lighter in the car gives out no more than 100 watts, so this aspect should be taken into account if you are looking at an inverter that is connected through the cigarette lighter socket. The choice of device can also be influenced by the place where the socket should be located (inside the cabin or not), as well as the desired power.

4. Trademark . High-quality inverters from well-known brands have protection against short circuits and fire, which cannot be said about Chinese devices of dubious origin. When buying inverters, it is better to contact large chain stores so as not to fall for a frankly low-quality model.

5. Socket type . When buying an inverter, you need to clarify the type of outlet, since not all of them are universal and fit all types of plugs.

6. Additional functions . High priced inverters offer a wide range of additional features such as information screens, voltage change or USB support. If the functionality is useless for you, it is better not to spend extra money and pay attention to something simpler.

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How to use the inverter

correctly

Like any other device, the inverter does not tolerate careless treatment, so in order to avoid problems associated with the car’s electrical system, you should follow a few simple rules:

1. When starting the car engine, the inverter must be turned off.

2. Wait 10-15 seconds after turning on the inverter.

3. Only if the above conditions are met, all devices and devices can be connected.

Before running to the store for an inverter, think about whether you really need it. For example, for mobile devices and laptops, you can purchase charging banks that will help gadgets last for several days.