If you are already thinking about buying the best pure sine wave inverter for your vehicle, you definitely need to understand the difference between a modified and pure sine wave device.
Although the modified sine wave inverter works well under any circumstances, it may not be very useful in some situations. Electronics that use AC motors such as refrigerators, compressors, and microwave ovens generally work more efficiently with a sine wave inverter.
The sine wave inverter has one very important task. It has to convert DC power into usable AC power. Based on this, it takes a continuous, direct current and converts it into a pure sine wave that fluctuates smoothly and steadily above and below zero volts. This AC method is clean enough to power sensitive electronics that require a constant input signal to function properly.
Best pure sine wave inverter
The best pure sine wave inverter is the Renogy 1000 Watt inverter. The Roarbatt inverter is the best value, and the Leicestercn is the best for small devices.
Pure Sine Wave Inverters Reviews
| Inverter | Continuous Power | AC Outlets | USB Outlets | Remote | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renogy best overall | 1000 watts | 2 | 1 | yes | $250 |
| Roarbatt best value | 1000 watts | 2 | 2 | no | $100 |
| Leicestercn best for small devices | 300 watts | 2 | 2 | no | $40 |
Renogy 1000 watt pure sine wave inverter- Best overall
The Renogy 1000 is the best pure sine wave inverter on the market. It has a continous power of 1000 watts, which should be more than enough to power your electronics and tools.
It converts over 90% of the waves to pure sine, which will help protect your devices from power surges. This inverter is also very quiet, so you don’t have to worry about an obnoxious sound while it runs.
This inverter also comes with a remote which makes turning it on and off very easy. The only downsides of this inverter is that it is on the expensive end, and it only has one usb port.
Key specs
- Continuous power: 1000W
- Other power options: yes
- AC outlets: 2
- USB: 1
- Remote controller: yes
Pros
Has a conversion percantage above 90%
LED indicators for under or over voltage
Very quiet
Roabatt 1000 watt inverter- Best value
The Roabatt 1000 is the cheapest pure sine wave inverter at $100. This inverter features 2 AC outlets and 2 usb outlets.
It has a silent cooling fan that helps prevent overheating. There is also an LCD screen that indicates the DC and AC input. This inverter also comes with a 24-month warranty that allows you to return the inverter if it has any malfunctions.
The inverter is also very small and compact which makes it easy to store and transport.
Key specs
- Continuous power: 1000W
- Other power options: no
- AC outlets: 2
- USB: 2
- Remote controller: no
Pros
Very quiet
Protects devices from power surges
LCD screen
Leicestercn 300 watt- Best for small devices
If you only plan to use your pure sine wave inverter for small electronics, you should get the Leicestercn 300 watt inverter. It only costs $40, and will provide enough power to charge multiple phones and laptops.
It also has a conversion rate of 90%, which means it converts 90% of waves to pure sine. This will help prevent any power surges on your device.
This inverter is also very small and can easily be stored in your car.
I recommend this power inverter if you are looking to charge your electronics on a long road trip.
Key specs
- Continuous power: 300W
- Other power options: no
- AC outlets: 2
- USB: 2
- Remote controller: no
Pros
Very cheap
90% conversion rate
LCD display
When is a pure sine wave inverter necessary?
If you still decide to buy an inverter, it’s time to understand why you need it, and key points to look for. Pure sine wave inverters are vital for those devices that are sensitive to various kinds of interference. These devices include compressors, electric motors of all kinds, pumps, and many others. In fact, it is important to understand that they only work with a “pure sine wave” as it has always been more stable than a modified sine wave.
What size pure sine inverter should I buy?
There is a rule of thumb for choosing the right inverter. The inverter power must be twice the total power of all simultaneously connected devices.
The size of the inverter depends on the watts or amps that you want to run with it. Most often, you need to calculate the power consumption, which is often indicated on the device or tool or in a separate manual.
Let’s take a look at a specific example. Let’s say, with the help of an inverter, you want to start a laptop, a table lamp, and a speaker. To keep all devices energized, you would minimally need a 500 W inverter. If you decide to connect something else, you will have to set priorities, and this is not always convenient. This is why you should consider buying a more powerful model.
You need to determine how much power your tool or a combination of them that you would use at the same time require to start up. It is called a starting load and means the number of watts needed to turn on your device. Also, there is a continuous running requirement called the continuous load. It determines the number of watts needed for the appliance’s continuous work.
Buyers Guide
Advantages of pure sine wave inverter
The sine wave inverter is guaranteed to deliver power that is as good as pure AC. If you want to receive electricity of high quality and without interruption, consider buying a sine wave inverter.
Many devices we are used to are just the same designed to operate on the рure AC network directly from power plants. It is for this reason that Pure Sine inverters are ideal. Their energy is clean and therefore “green” and prevents pollution of the environment.
Better performance
А pure sine wave inverter has the ability to generate inductive loads for appliances such as microwave ovens. With this function, the devices work much faster. It helps tremendously to conserve excess energy. It is also important to understand that a pure sine wave inverter motor also runs smoother and quieter.
Extends the life span of devices
Note that devices receive a certain number of output waves. For example, after using a sine wave inverter, your devices will heat up less, and therefore they will work incredibly efficiently. What’s more, the pure sine wave inverter also protects your computers and laptops from crashes and power surges.
Less noisy
A pure sine wave inverter can also help you reduce noise from your devices. Let’s figure it out: let’s say the operation of your device makes an annoying noise. In this case, the inverter may well become an alternative power source. The noise reduction process is due to the generation of a pure sine wave in the inverter, which gives more power to the equipment.
Work with a wide range of equipment
The sine wave inverter can work and connect to any type of equipment, whatever you want. Thanks to the reliable energy flow, the pure sine wave inverter will not damage gadgets and household appliances. As described above, using such an inverter will also improve the performance and efficiency of the devices and equipment you use.
But there is also an important nuance that needs to be taken into account. Several devices are designed to work with sine waves. These include microwaves and variable-speed motors. The sine wave flow will provide the full power required for the correct operation of the instrument. This rule also applies to medical equipment that requires maximum accuracy.
Easy maintenance
In my opinion, sine wave inverters do not require careful maintenance and additional inspection. The only thing is to check if the battery is in good condition, and that’s it. Most devices, such as generators, require careful regular maintenance, while clean sine wave inverters are not worth worrying about.
Compact and lightweight
This point is obvious: рure sine wave inverters should never be compared with generators in the field of lightness and compactness because the inverter will definitely win. It is because of this wonderful advantage that it is convenient to take it with you to any place. If you are looking for a true sine wave inverter for your devices, do not look for anything other than this type of inverter.
Protection of your devices
The sine wave inverter is great because it’s safe. It perfectly protects devices from many dangers. Firstly, the PSW inverter has overvoltage protection. When the input voltage is higher than the voltage indicated on the device, the inverter will simply stop working and reboot. Secondly, all devices connected to the sine-wave inverter are protected against undervoltage. If the input voltage is less than 85% of the standard value, the inverter will stop working.
Thirdly, the inverter always has an overcurrent indication. A dedicated LED display will usually show you this information. When the current passing through the inverter exceeds the allowable value, the inverter will shut down immediately to prevent damage to the connected devices.
And the last point is to prevent damage due to high temperatures and overheating. When the sensors detect a high temperature near the fuse inside, it will automatically shut off.
Reduced signal interference
Signal interference is a huge problem that many have encountered. When you use a sine wave inverter, you will not encounter any signal interference problems, such as watching TV or listening to the radio. This inverter delivers flawlessly clean energy that minimizes signal interference.
Disadvantages of pure sine inverter
As for me, the most significant disadvantage of a sine wave inverter is its cost. On the market, these models have always been more expensive than others. There is definitely a reason for this: they use more sophisticated modern technology in the manufacturing process.
Another problem is comparatively low battery life. Pure sine wave inverters use DC power very efficiently. Without this, battery life may not be as long. The reason for the shorter battery life is that sine wave inverters are made up of sophisticated technologies that are integrated into its circuitry. In addition to this, pure sine wave inverters also include heavy and inefficient transformers, which will reduce battery runtime.
Using a pure sine inverter for emergency home backup power
There is an incredibly popular and simple option for using an inverter for emergency power in the house. For example, during a power outage in an emergency, you can often use a car battery and an extension cord that needs to be pulled into the house where you can then plug-in electrical appliances.
Use overcurrent protection device for inverter
Batteries usually provide high current, and in the event of a short circuit, they require over a thousand amperes. A short circuit is a complete nightmare: it damages devices, is dangerous to health, causes fires, and so on. It is on this basis that the inclusion of an overcurrent device is good short circuit protection.
This overload protection device looks like a fuse or circuit breaker that is installed between the inverter and the battery. This thing will work within a split second if a short circuit occurs.
If you decide to purchase such a device, it is essential to choose the right fuse or circuit breaker for both the inverter and the cables. For example, you need to understand that an excessive fuse can cause cables to exceed their current rating. This state of affairs, in turn, can lead to heating of the cables and then cause a fire and many other unpleasant troubles. The instructions often indicate the recommended fuse or circuit breaker size and cable size for the safe installation of this type of extension.
What type of battery should I use for a pure sine wave inverter?
Battery recommendations vary depending on the size of your inverter. For example, if we are talking about small inverters, then it is important to know that most car and marine batteries provide sufficient power for 30 to 60 minutes even with the engine off.
If you are using inverters with a capacity of 500 W or more, it is recommended to use deep-discharge batteries. Why them? They will provide over 300 full charge and discharge cycles. It is not recommended to use conventional car starting batteries. In such work, they wear out after about a dozen charge and discharge cycles.
If your inverter is going to work with appliances with a high continuous load for a long time, in no case should you power the inverter from the same battery that is used to power your car. If you have been using a car battery for a very long time, there is an unpleasant possibility that the battery voltage may not have the energy to start the car. In such cases, it is always worth having a spare deep-discharge battery. Just pre-install it next to the inverter when connected to the starter battery. Also, be sure to install a battery isolator between the batteries.
What type of battery should I use for a pure sine wave inverter?
Pure sinusoidal inverters have a more complex circuit. The 300 V voltage of the first stage is pulse-modulated (PWM) at a very high frequency and then filtered so that a sinusoidal voltage appears at the output, the quality of which is often superior to mains.
Because of the sine wave, this type of inverter can power electrical equipment that has motors. Forgiving them a square wave damages them. And also, some other devices may have problems if a non-sinusoidal wave powers them, for example, HI-FI systems, lamps with “dimmers” devices using transformers in power supplies, etc. What is commonly seen in audio devices is a buzzing sound because of the harmonics of the input square wave.
Safety warning of using a psw inverter
Inverters are, of course, very interesting and important, but more important are safety rules. So let’s study them carefully and remember them. First of all, it is worth remembering that you DO NOT connect small electrical appliances to the AC outlets of the inverter in order to directly charge their nickel-cadmium batteries. You should always use a charger, and it is always included.
Secondly, do not connect chargers for cordless power tools in any way. The point is in the terminals of the devices, very high voltage is usually concentrated on them.
Remember that fluorescent lamps do not always work correctly in conjunction with a modified sine wave inverter. For example, if you notice that your lamp looks too bright or does not light up, do not use the lamp with an inverter, this can cause serious problems.
Please note that some NiCd battery chargers may be damaged when connected to a modified sine wave inverter. Usually, two types of devices are damaged. The former are small, battery-powered appliances such as flashlights or toothbrushes. To the second, we include some chargers for battery packs. They are used in cordless hand tools like a drill. Usually, you should note that chargers for these tools have a warning label about the presence of dangerous voltage at the battery terminals. Thus, I have formulated a rule: a modified sine wave inverter cannot be used with these two aforementioned types of equipment.
It is no secret that misuse of a power inverter can result in damage, injury, or even death or fire. Now, I propose to clarify the general security measures and the installation procedure.
The inverter must be placed on a flat surface where there is no possibility of contamination with water, machine oil, all sorts of acids, etc. It is also worth avoiding places with high temperatures, such as under the hood of a car. A combination of burning vapors and sparks that the inverter can produce during a malfunction can cause an explosion or fire.
The inverter must always be dry. Do not expose it to rain or moisture. As everyone knows from physics lessons, water and liquids, in general, conduct electricity easily, which can lead to serious injury or death. Under no circumstances should the inverter be placed on or near air vents, radiators, or other heat sources. Obvious warning, however, DO NOT place the inverter in direct sunlight. The storage temperature of the inverter is indicated as an acceptable temperature of 50 ° to 80 ° F.
The place where you will install the inverter should be well ventilated since most inverters have a built-in cooling system. Maintain a few inches of clearance around the top and sides of the inverter during use.
