Should I have an Inverter

[Dallas Baillio]

I am considering having an inverter installed on my BF. I do a lot of dry camping without an electrical hookup and thought an inverter might be helpful. On reflexion, since you cannot operate the microwave or air conditioner with an inverter I cannot come up with many uses to sell me on the cost of an inverter. If I have to use the generator for the micro and a/c what exactly do I gain? I have a 12 volt TV and don't have satellite capability. I have a standard coffee pot that I use with water heated on the stove. I am so used to doing without 120 volts that I am at a loss to justify an inverter.

Help me out. What am I missing?

[John S.]

Charge my phone and iPad and run my computer. Also runs my cpap and we use it to just run things while the engine is running. We can run the microwave at a rest stop to heat something quickly.

[Brent]

My inverter was inexpensive and easily installed. I use it for TV, computer, music, charging appliances, a slow cooker, and a variety of things that occur. The ability to have electricity on call is nice. I'll always have one.

[stevek]

My vote would be NO.
I have a 300 watt pure sine that I installed myself. I never use it.
I run all I need off 12 vdc.
For example
12 volt desk lamp
12 volt converter for my laptop/ usb to charge my phone and hotspot.
12 volt portable radio with built in rechargable nicads.
12 volt DVD player
12 volt TV
12 volt portable 12 inch box fan.

[Mike Jean Bandfield]

We had a number of 12vdc devices with our old RV. When we bought the BF, about 12 years ago, we changed to satellite TV and got a new computer, etc. At that point I noted that the market was limited for 12vdc devices. They were available but market choices (i.e., brand, quality, price, etc) and options/configurations were fewer. It was at that point the decision was made to always have an inverter available to maximize our options. It was a good choice. It's surprising how many odd uses have popped up over the years - Satt rcvr, electric saw, drill, HDTV converter box, soldering iron, shaver/tooth brush/camera battery/phone chargers, fan, PVR, back-up hard drv, stereo amplifier, hair clippers, scanner, hot glue gun, etc. Initially, we had a 2000w unit which crapped out after about 7 years. 'Replaced it with a little 400w Xantrex which uses much, much less base power. It will handle almost everything except most heating devices like coffee pots, fry skillets, crock pots. and the microwave.

[CuJo's Pride]

We use our inverter all the time. In fact we turn it on when we hit the road. We use it for charging items as well as our TV and DVD player. I don't know what we'd do without it.