www.iFourWinns.com

I believe this device was mentioned a time ago, but with the season approaching I just grabbed this 100W Black & Decker inverter and thought I would remind everyone of its usefulness. It was like $19 so how can you go wrong (unless it burns up the boat)? In my mind, a perfect solution for recharging camera batteries, plugging in a laptop etc. without having to fire up the genny. And it has a USB port built-in for recharging cell phones and the like.

_________________
Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

No cooling fan ?

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Agreed! I have the 400W (2 plug), for $50... I don't know how I coulda survived without. I keep one in the work truck, and one mounted in the boat. Charge the camera, inflation stuff, even the blender! Either way you can't go wrong!

_________________
Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

Odd that it's not mentioned in the description, but it does have a cooling fan.

_________________
Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Anyone who owns an inverter, though, should be aware that (unless you get into very expensive models - several $100's to $1K and up) - they don't provide true sine wave power, as is provided by utility power. Instead they provide a "stepped approximation" to a sine wave. Generally, the cheaper the inverter the less sine-like the wave form. More expensive inverters (yet still in the "affordable" range) have stepped approximations that are closer to true sine. For this reason I personally prefer Tripp Lite power products.

The reason this is important is that there are some motors and some electronics that are very sensitive to wave form, and for those devices, the farther away you get from true sine the more risk you run of overheating, malfunctions, or even damage.

I throw this out as general info - I don't have this unit and am certainly not criticizing it.

_________________


Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Great point Mike which is why I would only use this particular unit for the purposes I mentioned above. My understanding is that these are safe uses for this type of inverter.

Thanks for bringing it up!

_________________
Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

I also picked up a 400W 2 plug for using in the boat and truck. Comes in very handy. Can't wait to take the blender with us in the boat!

_________________
1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

Be careful with what you use these 100-400 watt cig adapter inverters for. They are fine for the incidental charges (I Pods, cameras, etc), but a blender usually draws 4-5 amps and these will probably blow the fuse on your boat before it blows the fuse on the inverter (or even worse!). Either way, they are no good for blenders..... I had a 750w Vector tied directly into one of my batteries on my last boat with heavy duty cables and it worked great! 400w is the highest wattage you can go using a cig plug, but you still won't get the rated watts unless you go directly to the battery with cables.

I'd love to hear if anyone has done an installation or has any ideas for a semi-custom mount for a larger inverter. I checked with Four Winns directly to see if they would do it at the factory and they said....no.

_________________

2011 Four Winns H260 Frenzy $ea Note
VP 8.1GXi/DP EVC 420HP
2007 Silverado 1500 CrewCab 4x4
Previous:
2002 Four Winns H200
5.0GXI 270HP