Power Inverters (27 items found)

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When driving any distance, it’s prudent to be prepared for sticky situations. Having fully charged phones and other devices means you’ll be ready in an emergency to call for help or find how-to videos on replacing a blown fuse or headlight. Keep your devices juiced up with portable power inverters from Ace Hardware.

What Are Electric Inverters?

A car electric inverter plugs into a modern-day car power socket (formerly the cigarette lighter) to power appliances and devices that aren’t usually used in a vehicle, such as a game system, computer, mini-fridge, or coffee pot.

Car power inverters convert the 12-volt direct current, or DC, power from the car battery into 120-volt alternating current, or AC, power, which only works with devices that plug into it with a two- or three-prong cord. Inverters feature outlets that you can plug a wide range of devices into.

Peak Power vs. Continuous Power Inverter Outputs

Car power inverters have a wattage rating for continuous power and peak power.

  • Continuous power: refers to the total watts the device can power for as long as the car battery has juice.
  • Peak power: Also known as surge power, peak power is how much wattage the inverter can provide for a short period, such as during startup of a plugged-in device.

Refrigerators and air conditioners, for example, may require more than five times the wattage when they start up than when they’re up and running.

What Wattage is Needed in a Portable Power Inverter?

To choose the best portable power inverter for your needs, decide what devices you want to power on the go. Then, follow these tips to come up with the wattage you will need in a car power converter.

Locate Continuous and Peak Wattage

Find both the continuous and peak/surge wattage of each device you want to plug into the inverter. This information will be in the specs on the back of the device, either listed as wattage or as voltage and amperage.

If it’s shown as volts and amps, multiply those numbers together to get the device’s wattage. If your appliance or device doesn’t have this information, refer to the manual, or look up the item online.

Identify Your Devices

Figure out which devices you’ll want to plug in at the same time. Add the continuous and startup wattage of those devices together.

For example, if you’re going on a camping trip, you might have your phone, laptop, mini fridge and the kids’ gaming console plugged in during the day. At night, you may want to plug in only your string lights and TV. In the morning, you’ll need your coffee pot, hair dryer and microwave. Find the highest continuous wattage and highest peak/surge wattage you might need at a single time, and that’s the minimum continuous and peak wattages you will need an inverter to have.

Find Your Power Inverter

Once you’ve found the minimum continuous and peak wattages you need your inverter to have, add a 20 percent margin to both numbers just to be on the safe side. Then, purchase an inverter that has the appropriate wattage and the right number of outlets for your needs. Some inverters have multiple, three-prong outlets, while others have one or two. Many car power inverters also feature one or more USB ports for easy device charging.

Do Power Inverters Damage Car Batteries?

If used properly, a power inverter won’t drain or damage your battery—and it’s a smart addition to your driving kit. But if you use the inverter when the car is turned off, and the car battery isn’t recharging, the inverter could drain the battery over time. If you have an older car or a specialized vehicle, check your car’s manual to see what kind of power your automotive wiring is rated for.

Find the Right Power Inverter at Ace

Browse a selection of car power inverters from top brands like Duracell, EGO and more, from small, one-outlet models to high-wattage devices that can power larger appliances. Paired with a proper emergency kit, automotive safety lighting and an air pump, a car power inverter can make life on the road more comfortable—and a car emergency easier to manage.

Shop Ace online for electric inverters and 12-volt power adapters for the car or visit your local Ace store for great advice from our friendly associates.