Power usage??

[Nobby Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nobby]

Any idea what would be the power usage of a small Radio/Ipod system running through an Invertor off a 12v system in a C'van. This is as opposed to running a Car radio system which most have. I'm not talking a Getto Blaster.

[karrathaprado2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close karrathaprado2]

Re: Power usage??

Your best bet is to look and see if it has a transformer...if it does it makes more sense to have a 12v to what ever volt transformer instead of using an inverter to 240 and back down to 12v to 18v what ever it may be. Better use of power.

Something like this...just need to see what the rating is on your transformer plug and you should be all right.

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.as ... BCATID=665
or
http://www.sidewinder.com.au/page210.html

[ozwapet2 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozwapet2]

Re: Power usage??

Yep DC - DC conversion is more efficient than DC-AC-DC conversion.

If it only has an AC input, have a look on the back of the 240V amplifier device. It should tell you how many Watts of power it consumes. The Watts ( power consumption ) are the same whether it runs off AC or DC.
A 300 watt inverter should be more than enough - you might get away with smaller but if you get a bigger one you can run other things off it as well.
For what you are doing I'd recommend you get a pure sine wave inverter - these are more expensive but have a "cleaner" supply. With the cheaper ones you might get a "buzzing" sound in the speakers.
The best way is to suck it and see. Go to somewhere like Jaycar who have a range of inverters. Ask their advice on what size you need, try running your unit off it. If it doesn't work, take it back and get a bigger one.
E.g http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.as ... rm=KEYWORD

[maxjj Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close maxjj]

Re: Power usage??

have you looked at something like this
http://www.logitech.com/en-au/speakers- ... 3-speakers

the S125 can run on 4 aa batteries, so must use bugger all current. Guessing here but its possibly 6v, so could even wire up a lantern battery, would last ages on that.
Try it on a your current inverter and see how it goes.
http://www.logitech.com/en-au/speakers- ... vices/5876

S315i is rechargable

I agree with the pure sine wave inverter, I got a 120W unit its what I use for laptop and other chargers, works a treat. Plenty big enough, as most of the sensitive equipment doesn`t draw much anyway.