12 Volt Inverter.

[SirRogerFFS]

Hello good people .. Sir Roger wants to know what power inverter to invest in without breaking the bank. All I need to run is a vacuum cleaner. Sadly its a struggle to get our van home from storage so its a case of alternate power . I look forward to your replies .
Sir Roger .

 

[VicMallows]

As a rule of thumb, I would choose an inverter with about double the rating of the vacuum cleaner. We have a small vacuum rated at 600W, and it operates fine on an inverter rated 1200W. You might get away with a smaller inverter.....it is the start-up current which is the problem.

I would expect to find one for around £25 on Ebay. 'Modified sine wave' will be fine for this.

 

[ProfJohnL]

As a rule of thumb, I would choose an inverter with about double the rating of the vacuum cleaner. We have a small vacuum rated at 600W, and it operates fine on an inverter rated 1200W. You might get away with a smaller inverter.....it is the start-up current which is the problem.

I would expect to find one for around £25 on Ebay. 'Modified sine wave' will be fine for this.

Hello Vic,
I concur with your comments regarding the start up current of motors, but I do have a problem with the suggestion of a modified sine wave output. I have seen a number of motor driven appliances that ran hot, and made sang when run on modified sine wave outputs. The same problem can arise with with power adaptors fro running things like computers and televisions.

It is far safer to look for a pure sine wave inverter. It may cost a little more, and be less efficient, but for the relatively limited time it may be used the efficiency is not a major issue. It also means that you have a power supply you can confidently use for any other impromptu occasion where mains is not available.

For the record modified sine wave converters are absolutely fine for resistive loads like incandescent bulbs and heaters.

 

[Gozza]

Just a thought, but would you be better off with a battery powered vacuum? I bought one just for the caravan, and before my next trip to the storage site realised it was much easier to use at home for small jobs than hauling the mains vacuum up and down the stairs all the time - also means I can vac the car without bothering with a mains extension etc.

You know best what's going to be most useful to you, of course, just suggesting you consider another angle before plumping for the obvious -)

 

[bertieboy1]

Why not use one of these battery operated vacuum cleaners.They seem to be very powerful according to the adverts.

 

[Woodentop]

Why not use one of these battery operated vacuum cleaners.They seem to be very powerful according to the adverts.

We just got a Dyson V8 Absolute, and as the licenced vac user in this household I have to say it is brilliant. It has enough charge for 40 minutes normal use and as I am not lumbering a cylinder or upright around (up and down the stairs in particular) I can now do the whole house in little more than 30 mins against the best part of an hour with mains units.
Expensive, yes, but I can assure you well worth the money.

 

[otherclive]

Why not use one of these battery operated vacuum cleaners.They seem to be very powerful according to the adverts.

We just got a Dyson V8 Absolute, and as the licenced vac user in this household I have to say it is brilliant. It has enough charge for 40 minutes normal use and as I am not lumbering a cylinder or upright around (up and down the stairs in particular) I can now do the whole house in little more than 30 mins against the best part of an hour with mains units.
Expensive, yes, but I can assure you well worth the money.

Wonder what it’s like with the detritus brought in by a couple of mud magnets called Springers.

 

[Woodentop]

Why not use one of these battery operated vacuum cleaners.They seem to be very powerful according to the adverts.

We just got a Dyson V8 Absolute, and as the licenced vac user in this household I have to say it is brilliant. It has enough charge for 40 minutes normal use and as I am not lumbering a cylinder or upright around (up and down the stairs in particular) I can now do the whole house in little more than 30 mins against the best part of an hour with mains units.
Expensive, yes, but I can assure you well worth the money.

Wonder what it’s like with the detritus brought in by a couple of mud magnets called Springers.

You might be surprised......................