Advice on Inverter for Toyota SRX 4x4

[charbel]

Hi all,

I have to buy an inverter for Toyota SRX 4x4 2011 model. I have read a lot of information, including some available in the forums here, but cannot make a decision. I am now between two possibilities. My doubts concerns: (1) whether these equipments are compatible for charging through the Toyota SRX lighter; (2) if the 150W charger would be enough to charge a camcorder, notebook, and Canon DLSR camera, each equipment at a time, not all together; (3) if the 375W inverter, which I would prefer rather than the 150W, can do any harm for the car battery. The latter point is important because I will take this Toyota to the Kalahari Desert and to exhaust or have any other problem with the battery there can be a real problem!

Here are the options:

Tripp Lite PV150 Portable Auto Inverter 150W 12V DC to AC 120V 5-15R 1 Outlet
http://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-PV150- ... +100+watts

(this has the advantage of less wattage, it seems, for the extent that I really understood the issue, that this saves more the car battery. There is a disadvantage, however, that Amazon does not send it outside U.S., so I will have to find another provider. Amazon is very reliable and i give preference to it)

Tripp Lite PV375 Portable Auto Inverter 375W 12V DC to AC 120V 5-15R 2 Outlet
Amazon.com: Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & more ... PDKIKX0DER

(this has the advantage that it ships outside U.S. but is more powerful and then I came to fear the health of the car battery).


I thank in advance for the tips and advice of the more experienced Toyota drivers here!

All the best
Charbel

 

[fourwd1]

The 150W and 375W ratings are the maximum AC current each inverter will supply to whatever is plugged into it. The actual amount depends on what is plugged into the inverter. If your camcorder draws 50W, it doesn't matter if it's plugged into an inverter rated at 150W or 375W, it's still just going to draw 50W, because that's all the camcorder requires.

If your charging your equipment while the engine is on, the drain of the inverter won't be an issue. If your using it with the engine off, just keep an eye on the voltmeter.

 

[shadow247]

If you are planning to head to the desert, I would suggest having a backup battery available. It doesn't necessarily have to wire directly into the cars electrical system, just having it available to put in should the battery under the hood become depleted.

Either one of those inverters would be fine. I would suggest direct wiring the inverter to the battery, this will bypass the vehicles electronics. I have seen inverters cause issues with the radio and other electronics when wired through the cigarette lighter outlet.