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12V DC to AC power inverter for use inside vehicle

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engineheat:
Hi,

I wanted to power an air purifier (120V, 60Hz, 48W) inside the car.

I got this inverter from Home Depot:
https://www.ryobitools.com/products/details/46396035363#specifications

It says 120W of "continuous power" and it worked for the few times I tested it, albeit for only a few minutes. Lately there has been a winter storm around Christmas where the temperature dropped very low, and the inverter won't power on. It did power on once when after the interior of the car warmed up, but now it won't power up at all.

I'm a novice when it comes to electronics so I wonder if the cold temperature could've ruined the inverter. If so, I'd like to know some possible reasons.

I also wonder if the "48W" air purifier drew too much power and possibly burned a fuse inside the inverter?

Lastly, the inverter states that it does not produce sinusoidal wave. I wonder if this could have anything to do with it. This last part is the most interesting to me. What is the ramification of powering an AC device via non-sinusoidal wave? For instance, what kind of products is it critical to use a sinusoidal input?

I tried searching for Amazon for another inverter and there are many brands I've never heard of. Can you guys recommend a good one for a budget of $150? I just need to power the air purifier without it dying on me after 2 days.

Thanks

2N2222A:
There's probably a loose connection in the 12V DC power input somewhere. does the inverter have a light that comes on when it is working?

NiHaoMike:
Bad smells from automotive HVAC systems are often due to a dirty evaporator coil, try cleaning it with HVAC coil cleaner.

engineheat:

--- Quote from: bigfoot22 on January 07, 2023, 03:49:20 am ---Better off asking this question in the Power/Renewable energy subforum but I can tell you what they would recommend. Victron.


--- End quote ---

Thanks. Is this the brand you are referring to?

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