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Harbor freight inverter [message #172563]

Fri, 08 June 2012 09:12

skip2

Messages: 544
Registered: September 2011
Location: Winter Haven,FL (center o...

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Any feed back on chicago electric power inverters from harbor freight?
Skip

74 Canyon Lands, FiTech, 3.7 FD LSD, Manny Tranny, Springfield Distributor, 2001 Chevy Tracker Ragtop Towd

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Re: [GMCnet] Harbor freight inverter [message #172566 is a reply to message #172563]

Fri, 08 June 2012 09:46

Kudzu

Messages: 377
Registered: November 2011
Location: Marshville, NC

Karma: 0

Senior Member

They are cheap, modified sine wave. If you need anything more
sophisticated, I wouldn't go with those.

Dan in NC
Caregiver to a 1976 Eleganza II
"Tzetze Fly"

On 6/8/2012 10:12 AM, Skip Hartline wrote:
>
> Any feed back on chicago electric power inverters from harbor freight?
> Skip
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1976 Eleganza II 1996 Chevy Impala SS 1999 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad

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Re: Harbor freight inverter [message #172583 is a reply to message #172563]

Fri, 08 June 2012 12:01

Matt Colie

Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan

Karma: 7

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skip2 wrote on Fri, 08 June 2012 10:12

Any feed back on chicago electric power inverters from harbor freight?
Skip

Skip,

If you buy one, get the service plan. I have had several leak smoke. Taking it back is the only repair.

They are all modified square wave. They run most AC stuff effectively and they are cheap.

Matt

Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit

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Re: Harbor freight inverter [message #172587 is a reply to message #172583]

Fri, 08 June 2012 12:39

stick miller

Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Will a modified Sine Wave inverter operate an AC refrigerator acceptably?

Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA

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Re: Harbor freight inverter [message #172593 is a reply to message #172587]

Fri, 08 June 2012 13:40

WD0AFQ

Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.

Karma: 207

Senior Member

Skip, I have several modified sinewaves. The one I use most often is a 700 watt Chicago Electric I bought 8 years ago from Harbor Freight. It is on any time we are in the GMC. Has never grunted once. I think I paid 50 bux for it back in 04. The one I hate the most, and do not use, is a Black and Decker. Fan is extremly noisy. No doubt, my favorite is a 2,000 watt Vector I got new for 100 bux a few years ago. We use it for vacuum, hair dryer, and microwave. I would not hesitate to buy a larger Chicago Electric one if I needed it. Never owned anything but modified sinewaves. Never plugged anything in that would not run.
Dan
who will be using the Chicago Electric all weekend long

3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm 355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng. Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer

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Re: Harbor freight inverter [message #172596 is a reply to message #172563]

Fri, 08 June 2012 14:11

Carl S.

Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.

Karma: 13

Senior Member

skip2 wrote on Fri, 08 June 2012 07:12

Any feed back on Chicago electric power inverters from harbor freight?
Skip

Skip,

I have a Harbor Freight 750 watt inverter. When I was looking into getting one a few years ago, several electronically knowledgeable people said to get one from Harbor Freight that is about two times the capacity of the things you want to run and, as Matt stated, get the service plan. I haven't needed to use the service plan yet and it will probably expire before I do, if I ever do.

Mine has run my TV/DVD player, and our computers with no problem. I noticed on our last little dry camping trip that the power supply for my little ASUS netbook seemed to be hotter than when plugged into line power. I also noticed the fan coming on while we had two computers plugged in.

I have a couple of pics on the photo site of my inverter install, if you can call it that (it's just sitting on the shelf in the elec. cabinet, although I DID install outlets in the seat bases):

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/gmc-tv-mount/p41551-inverter.html

Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member

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Re: [GMCnet] Harbor freight inverter [message #172598 is a reply to message #172596]

Fri, 08 June 2012 14:33

storm'n

Messages: 492
Registered: April 2007
Location: Ont. Can

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Carl,
� Check them for dust bunnies. My laptop was running hot this past winter & I got a can of compressed air & blew around the fan with it off & again when it was running. You wouldn't believe how much dust came out. It ran cool again & the fan was quieter.
� always lurking,�� Norm.

Skip,

I have a Harbor Freight 750 watt inverter.� When I was looking into getting one a few years ago, several electronically knowledgeable people said to get one from Harbor Freight that is about two times the capacity of the things you want to run and, as Matt stated, get the service plan.� I haven't needed to use the service plan yet and it will probably expire before I do, if I ever do.

Mine has run my TV/DVD player, and our computers with no problem.� I noticed on our last little dry camping trip that the power supply for my little ASUS netbook seemed to be hotter than when plugged into line power.� I also noticed the fan coming on while we had two computers plugged in.�

I have a couple of pics on the photo site of my inverter install, if you can call it that (it's just sitting on the shelf in the elec. cabinet, although I DID install outlets in the seat bases):

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/gmc-tv-mount/p41551-inverter.html
--
Carl S.
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
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Re: Harbor freight inverter [message #172607 is a reply to message #172593]

Fri, 08 June 2012 15:47

Kudzu

Messages: 377
Registered: November 2011
Location: Marshville, NC

Karma: 0

Senior Member

OK, good to hear of their reliability. I know a few folks who have used MSW and have had issues with non-electronic items, espcially if they have electric motors. Most electronics stuff have their own adapters anyway.

I have a 1500W Vector and it worked great in my bike trailer and will likely use it in the coach one day...

1976 Eleganza II 1996 Chevy Impala SS 1999 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad

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Re: Harbor freight inverter [message #172609 is a reply to message #172563]

Fri, 08 June 2012 16:02

skip2

Messages: 544
Registered: September 2011
Location: Winter Haven,FL (center o...

Karma: 3

Senior Member

Thanks everyone for the input
Skip

74 Canyon Lands, FiTech, 3.7 FD LSD, Manny Tranny, Springfield Distributor, 2001 Chevy Tracker Ragtop Towd

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Re: [GMCnet] Harbor freight inverter [message #172615 is a reply to message #172598]

Fri, 08 June 2012 16:23

Carl S.

Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.

Karma: 13

Senior Member

storm'n wrote on Fri, 08 June 2012 12:33

Good idea Norm. I just had to blow the dust out of Kathy's laptop and my office desktop this week. I guess my netbook should be done too.

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Re: Harbor freight inverter [message #172621 is a reply to message #172563]

Fri, 08 June 2012 16:47

GeorgeRud

Messages: 1380
Registered: February 2007
Location: Chicago, IL

Karma: 0

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Don't know if they're all over the same, but our local Harbor Freight has a sidewalk sale this weekend.

George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach

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Re: Harbor freight inverter [message #172629 is a reply to message #172587]

Fri, 08 June 2012 17:25

Matt Colie

Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan

Karma: 7

Senior Member

Stick Miller wrote on Fri, 08 June 2012 13:39

Will a modified SQUARE Wave inverter operate an AC refrigerator acceptably?

Mine does, that's why I bought it. Motors really are very fussy. They might get a little hotter than on good power, but out little reefer does just fine.

Matt

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Re: Harbor freight inverter [message #172631 is a reply to message #172587]

Fri, 08 June 2012 17:28

Matt Colie

Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan

Karma: 7

Senior Member

Stick Miller wrote on Fri, 08 June 2012 13:39

Will a modified SQUARE Wave inverter operate an AC refrigerator acceptably?

Mine does...
Which is real good as that is why I bought it.

Motors aren't real fussy about power. They may run a little hotter, but not so much as to hurt anything.

Matt

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Re: Harbor freight inverter [message #172632 is a reply to message #172631]

Fri, 08 June 2012 17:48

stick miller

Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Matt - What's this with a Square Wave?

Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA

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Re: Harbor freight inverter [message #172633 is a reply to message #172563]

Fri, 08 June 2012 17:49

Larry

Messages: 2875
Registered: January 2004
Location: Menomonie, WI

Karma: 10

Senior Member

I have a Trace 1200W inverter/charger. So far the ONLY thing it won't run is my electric blanket. When the inverter is on, and not on shore power, the controls just flash "00" and no heat. Everything else...computer, refer, TV, Micro, blender...they all work just fine. Go Figure!!!

Larry

78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.

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Re: Harbor freight inverter [message #172688 is a reply to message #172632]

Sat, 09 June 2012 07:07

Matt Colie

Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan

Karma: 7

Senior Member

Stick Miller wrote on Fri, 08 June 2012 18:48

Matt - What's this with a Square Wave?

Stick,

Have you even looked at the output of one of these inverters??
<Rant on>
It is much more square than sine. The ones I have looked at have no intermediate levels at all. The concession to not be a true square wave is in the bidirectional offset of the zero crossing. OK, it isn't a square wave, but if you do a FFT, you find it sure isn't anything like a sine. The 3rd, 5th and 7th harmonics total as more than 20% of the power. This is why some of the switching power supplies go crazy when powered by them.
<Rant off>

Matt

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Re: Harbor freight inverter [message #172689 is a reply to message #172688]

Sat, 09 June 2012 07:19

stick miller

Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Matt - I wouldn't know a Sine wave from a tsunami. Ken H. has tried, in vain, to explain any number of technical terms to me. He might as well be speaking Mandarin Chinese.

We have a hot dog place here in Americus. They serve the best hot dogs I've ever eaten, but the dogs themselves are a cheap, tawdry, bright red. Probably full of carcinogens and all manner of other awful stuff. I'm the kind of guy who enjoys eating them but I really don't want to know how they are made.

If a Sine wave or a Square wave will operate a refrigerator, I can only assume that, like television, it's magic.

Thanks for trying, but will it run a refrigerator?

Stick

Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA

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Re: Harbor freight inverter [message #172692 is a reply to message #172563]

Sat, 09 June 2012 08:40

RF_Burns

Messages: 2277
Registered: June 2008
Location: S. Ontario, Canada

Karma: 3

Senior Member

Stick, this link has diagrams of the different inverter waveforms, I hope this helps.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverter

I installed a 1500 watt pure sine wave as sine units are now reasonably priced.

I had installed an all electric fridge and I didn't want the compressor to "BUZZZ" as sometimes happens with square wave or modified sine wave.

Modified sine wave is a marketing term as it should be more correctly called "Modified square wave"

Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.
1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that

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Re: Harbor freight inverter [message #172697 is a reply to message #172692]

Sat, 09 June 2012 10:40

petemosss

Messages: 221
Registered: August 2008
Location: Jacksonville, Florida

Karma: 0

Senior Member

I have 4 USA made inverters all made by Tripp-Lite in Chicago. They are 2K,1.8K, 900 and 400 watts all picked up on eBay new for 10-20 cents on the dollar. Not worth burning down my coach. Keep shopping.

Pete 74 Canyon Lands 26' "Emery"

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Re: [GMCnet] Harbor freight inverter [message #172705 is a reply to message #172689]

Sat, 09 June 2012 11:39

jhbridges

Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga

Karma: -74

Senior Member

Stick -
�
Quick answer, sine wave will run ever thing.
Modified sine wave (stepped square) will run most
Square wave will run some.�
�
You gotta try it.
�
--johnny
'76 23'transmode norris
'76 palm beach
�

From: Stick Miller <stickmiller@gmail.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Saturday, June 9, 2012 8:19 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Harbor freight inverter

Matt - I wouldn't know a Sine wave from a tsunami. Ken H. has tried, in vain, to explain any number of technical terms to me. He might as well be speaking Mandarin Chinese.

We have a hot dog place here in Americus. They serve the best hot dogs I've ever eaten, but the dogs themselves are a cheap, tawdry, bright red. Probably full of carcinogens and all manner of other awful stuff. I'm the kind of guy who enjoys eating them but I really don't want to know how they are made.

If a Sine wave or a Square wave will operate a refrigerator, I can only assume that, like television, it's magic.

Thanks for trying, but will it run a refrigerator?

Stick
--
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - she left me for another man
Americus, Georgia

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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell

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