October 2010

Whenever, wherever is the mantra when it comes to the electronic kit we've all come to rely on – but that can be a problem in-car unless you invest in a host of 12V chargers. However, with an inverter you can use mains power packs to charge music players, cameras, laptops and all manner of other equipment from the cigar lighter socket or car battery.

There's a wide range available: small devices which work from the lighter socket through to the heavyweight monsters for power-hungry kit which hook up directly to the battery. What you need depends on what gear you use. Charging an MP3 player, camera or mobile phone takes very little power, while a laptop, portable microwave or colout TV requires substantially more.

Many electrical products create an initial demand for power when swicthed on, so it is important for an inverter to have a higher maximum wattage figure than its continuous one – ideally double – in order to cope.

So which of these is the power house for your car? To find out, we loaded up eight to cover all your needs.

The Test

We used the inverters on various products such as an iPod, digital radio, a Sony laptop, portable fridge (65W) and 60W light bulb. We checked the efficiency by measuring voltage produced when powering the bulb and comparing it with conventional mains AC.

Finally, we balanced performance against price, awarding additional points for USB sockets and features such as long leads, rocker switches, warning lamps, fuse protection, low-battery shut-down and easy mounting.

 

Verdict

The latest Black & Decker product blends good electrical performance with practicality and style, and
the Ring MP:120 takes the honours when it comes to a more portable product. Meanwhile, the heavyweight Draper IN400 remains competitive despite its age.

Top 3

1. Black & Decker Power Up BDPC200
2. Ring MP:120 Slimline Inverter
3. Draper IN400

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