Sima STP-325 325-Watt Power Inverter

Nice design, good qulity, easy to use. However, the cooling fan is noisy.

My Dell M6600 laptop comes with a 240 watt power adapter. I realize one must over-spec when purchasing modified sine wave inverters, such as this, because devices tend to use more current than when connected to the power company's pure sine wave that they are designed to use, how much more, depends on the type of load. I cannot say with any certainty if this device delivers 325 watts continuously, since wattage measuring devices are also designed to use pure sine wave. I do know this device cannot run laptop with a 240 watt power adapter, fully charged battery, medium screen intensity, at idle, for more than 5 minutes. Perhaps I need to spec 480 watts? One must take into consideration this factor when calculating the price differential between pure sine and modified sine wave devices.

This is the second modified sine wave inverter I've had. The first one had capacity problems too, and later burned up. (different brand) I hate spending the money but I think I'm just kidding myself to think things will be better with another modified sine wave inverter. I also tried a modified sine UPS on a server once and that was a disaster too. With the mix of load types out there, it would be impossible to calculate how much larger one needs to go with modified sine devices. Considering the electrical noise, things such as dimmers, and variable speed devices that won't work, and the risk of burning things up, I think I'll just go with a pure sine wave device. Then I can simply add up the ratings of the devices or the results of a kill-a-watt meter to know what it can, and cannot handle. Another big advantage with pure sine devices is they can typically double their output for a short period of time. This enables them to start electric motors, which in turn also allows you to accomplish the same tasks with a much smaller unit.

Judging by reviews and prices, it appears Xantrex pure sine wave inverters have the best bang for the buck when I take into consideration that they don't overstate their output, and are reliable.

Now I just need to determine which size. At first I was thinking about getting a larger one, and when the power goes out, run a cord into the house from my SUV into the house to run the things, such as my printer, wireless, furnace, and a few lights. The problem with that is for the difference in price, I can buy a little generator, and a 105 Amp car alternator at idle only puts out ~50 amps, which would come out to ~500 watts. I also wouldn't be able to leave the house and keep the fridge and furnace going. I'll probably will go with the Xantrex PROWatt 600, and buy a used 2.5KW generator off Craigslist. That combo would take care of me on the road and at home.

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I got mine in 2004 while trucking. Used it for everything from camping to travel. I have overloaded it, blown fuses, melted the plastic around the lighter socket adapter tip, used it in the rain with only a plastic shopping bag protecting it.... Probably not so great for ventilation. Yes looking back on it now "young and stupid" comes to mind. This thing survived life on the road running my (year 2000) desktop PC with the big old monitor until I could afford to buy a laptop. It survived the worst I could throw at it and the built in protections have done their job. Get some heavy duty wires for it and it will serve you well.

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this won't break down like other cheap inverters, great for using laptops in cars, definitely would recommend this to others

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This power inverter works great powering my laptop and charging my cell on road trips. It never overheats and the fan makes very little noise.