12v to 110 converters: I have many batteries for both video and photography. Some are 7.2w others 7.4w. I'm looking for a converter (2 to 4 outlets ) to use in my car or truck. I...

bvm Loc: Glendale, Arizona

I have many batteries for both video and photography. Some are 7.2w others 7.4w. I'm looking for a converter (2 to 4 outlets ) to use in my car or truck. I sometimes drive over 200 miles ( 2.5 hrs. ) between shoots. Any safe, satisfying, personal experiences with such devices ( under $50.00)

Thanks

Gidgette Loc: Boerne,Texas

Try Walmart, I got mine there and my nephew drives and 18 wheeler and he got his inverter there also. Ask for inverter, not a converter. They work great. I had one in each car and now I keep 2 in my car after selling the 2nd car. Can use where ever you have a power plug in car. One in front and one in back, good for pc, GPS, phone charger, camera or whatever you need. Glendale, Arizona has a Walmart on Bell Rd. They are under $30.00, I only paid $15.00 for mine, then went back and bought one to hold 2 or 3 plug ins at a time.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

bvm wrote:

I have many batteries for both video and photography. Some are 7.2w others 7.4w. I'm looking for a converter (2 to 4 outlets ) to use in my car or truck. I sometimes drive over 200 miles ( 2.5 hrs. ) between shoots. Any safe, satisfying, personal experiences with such devices ( under $50.00)

Thanks

HARBOR FREIGHT look them up on line - just bought a good one under $30 now i can use my lap top & external hard drive-It is 1 trb- so I need 110 for it. I used a small singe plug for years to charge my batteries in the field.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Well I went all out and put a 2000 watt in the back of the truck. We use it for camping. Just like being at home. Run the coffee maker, hot plate and the electric heater.
Most of the small ones work great now. The old ones would over heat batteries, but now they are great.
Erv

steve40 Loc: Asheville/Canton, NC, USA

I've got one of there in a larger 300w size works great.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/479777-REG/Belkin_F5C400_140W_F5C400140W_Power_Inverter.html

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

Gidgette wrote:

Try Walmart, I got mine there and my nephew drives... (show quote)

Radio Shack carries them too

PhotoArtsLA Loc: Boynton Beach

bvm wrote:

I have many batteries for both video and photography. Some are 7.2w others 7.4w. I'm looking for a converter (2 to 4 outlets ) to use in my car or truck. I sometimes drive over 200 miles ( 2.5 hrs. ) between shoots. Any safe, satisfying, personal experiences with such devices ( under $50.00)

Thanks

As long as you are not considering trying to power professional strobes, the cheap, square wave 12 VDC to 120 VAC converters should work.

For pro strobes, you need SINE WAVE converters, which are expensive.

I'm doing a dual deep discharge Optima battery system and 2500 watt sine wave inverter in my olde classic car. Strobes in the field, no generator noise.

drat24 Loc: ohio

is yours for car shows

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

Harbor freight is probably the cheapest. I bought one about 2 years ago to charge batteries while camping and it works great, have not had any problems with it.

Jim D

rebeil Loc: florida

I got mine at Harbor Freight works great 250 watt

Willy Loc: Alaska

bvm wrote:

I have many batteries for both video and photography. Some are 7.2w others 7.4w. I'm looking for a converter (2 to 4 outlets ) to use in my car or truck. I sometimes drive over 200 miles ( 2.5 hrs. ) between shoots. Any safe, satisfying, personal experiences with such devices ( under $50.00)

Thanks

I assume you want the type that plugs into the cig lighter in your car.
There should be a nomenclature stamp on your battery charger that says what its amp draw or wattage is. (Look for "output" ) Be sure this number does not exceed the wattage of the device you are buying. It is ok if the wattage of the inverter far exceeds the output of the battery charger.
Most cheap inverters have a very low output but should be ok for a battery charger.

obeone

Make sure your car's battery is in good shape, or don't use your inverter unless the car is running. Inverters, especially the lower priced ones, draw a lot of current and can run down a marginal battery in a short period of time, even when not being used to power something. Spend a little more on a good sine wave inverter because you'll eventually want to use it to power your laptop or other sine wave only device.

bvm Loc: Glendale, Arizona

No, it's for travel.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

A little off topic but it may help someone. I had bought a cheap inverter to charge my laptop. It has a 110 volt outlet on it so I decided to see if it would charge one of my batteries for the camera. It worked fine! Cost about 30 bucks at Rite-Aid. Just something to keep in mind.

I will still use my larger inverter when camping but it may come in handy when driving around.

Jim D.

twowindsbear

Get the largest power rating that plugs into your cigarette lighter socket.