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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Ask Howard -> Pure sine wave inverter
Post Info TOPIC: Pure sine wave inverter
Tim & Robyn


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Pure sine wave inverter
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Hi Howard,

Just curious as to why you opted for a pure sine wave inverter. That's what we're planning because of what we've read about some devices not working as efficiently (or at all in the case of some medical equipment) with a modified sine wave inverter - we don't want to have to redo anything at a later date after we get out there.

Anyway, I wondered what the reasons were for your choice.

Thanks!
Tim

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Tim & Robyn
Howard


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Hey Tim,

Short answer:  The people who know stuff told me a pure sine wave would be best for us.  biggrin

Actually, I have learned the same thing you did.

Modified sine wave is fine for most appliances if they can handle voltage fluctuations.  It allows for a lighter and cheaper inverter.

However, because we rely on our computers, modems, printer, and other electronics, we felt that the pure sine wave (just like in a house) would be better for our needs.  Electronics and medical equipment are more sensitive, so we felt it was best to spend the extra money and get pure sine wave.

Simple as that.  biggrin

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bjoyce


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I figure I will step in and give my two cents worth.
The amazing thing about modified square wave inverters (modified sine wave is a marketing term) is how many things will run on them just fine. Since these are cheaper inverters to build they are what the RV manufacturers have been installing as standard. Electronics are designed to run on pure sine wave, that is what the utility company supplies.
If you do not have a big inverter now, please go with a pure sine wave unit since the power is just like the utility company and everything will run on it. If you are cheap you can get Prosine 2.0 pure sine wave refurbished unit for about $700, just put "prosine 2.0 refurbish" in http://www.google.com and start looking. New will cost you $1500 or more, depending on the model and brand.
If you already have a modified square wave inverter you need to figure out what will and what will not work on it. Most things will work, you just have to try them one at a time and be alert for them getting hot and/or sounding different. I know people who have broken ink jet printers, scanners, big electric refrigerators, and electric toothbrushes on their modified square wave inverters and others have not had problems with very similar electronics. If your RV manufacturer installed the inverter than about anything hooked to the inverter the manufacturer installed, like your microwave, should work fine.
We have a Prosine 2.0 pure sine wave inverter with built-in charger. We do not lose sleep wondering what will and will not run on it.

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Bill Joyce,
40' 2004 Dutch Star DP towing an AWD 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
Journal at http://www.sacnoth.com
Full-timing since July 2003
Tim & Robyn


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I wondered about that 'modified sine wave' tag myself. In the haze of my memory I recall taking a course in electronic music in grad school. We had to learn about electricity and wave forms before they'd let us touch the equipment. I remember sine, ramp, square, and sawtooth waves, but nothing about a so-called 'modified' sine wave...

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Tim & Robyn
RVDude


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400px-Waveforms.svg.png
"Triangle" aka "ramp"...

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