L

Landy_Ben

Active Member
Hi

I am looking to get an inverter to run my Epson Ecotank printer from the landrover battery to print out results for an event I am helping organise.
The power specification of the printer is
Energy Use 4.3 Watt (Ready), 0.3 Watt (Power off), 12 Watt (standalone copying, ISO/IEC 24712 pattern), 0.7 Watt (sleep mode), TEC 0.15 kWh/week
Supply Voltage AC 100 V - 240 V, 50 Hz - 60 Hz

What spec inverter do I need? And if I am printing and charging laptop do I just use the battery or is it worth running the engine too?

Thanks.
 
Landy_Ben said:
Hi

I am looking to get an inverter to run my Epson Ecotank printer from the landrover battery to print out results for an event I am helping organise.
The power specification of the printer is
Energy Use 4.3 Watt (Ready), 0.3 Watt (Power off), 12 Watt (standalone copying, ISO/IEC 24712 pattern), 0.7 Watt (sleep mode), TEC 0.15 kWh/week
Supply Voltage AC 100 V - 240 V, 50 Hz - 60 Hz

What spec inverter do I need? And if I am printing and charging laptop do I just use the battery or is it worth running the engine too?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Hi Ben
Ideally you should buy a Pure Sine wave inverter as they have a waveform most similar to house 240v AC and guarantees proper function of office epmnt

The printers powerspecs is very low. Thou better to buy bigger inverter so could be used to charge laptop too.

I used following inverter in a unfinished trailer project. Feels like good quality and can be connected directly to battery or cigarette plug depending on powerusage. Poweroutput should be sufficient for printer and laptop + has build in USB for phone charging

Amazon product
 
Landy_Ben said:
Thanks. Sounds like a good idea.
Click to expand...
Re battery then guess you have the starter battery. Would recommend a 12v voltmeter so you can monitor voltage and turn engine when battery is getting low. Other option could be a unit like this Amazon product

More advanced and expensive options exist with dual battery setups and solar chargers for running extras. For your useage would say 30-60mins on battery after you been driving should be safe. You could experiment at home to see how long you can use the setup and engine still starts(and use a 240v AC battery charger when finding the limit when it doesn't turn over)
 
I have a permanently wired CTEK indicator already so it tells me when to charge.
I had intended running the engine while using the inverter to prevent issues.
 
Running an engine whilst stationary for long periods is considered socially unacceptable these days unless you are in a remote area. Someone near me has been running a diesel engine for about half an hour until I heard a couple of his neighbours come out and give him a bolloking.

Col
 
Colthebrummie said:
Running an engine whilst stationary for long periods is considered socially unacceptable these days unless you are in a remote area. Someone near me has been running a diesel engine for about half an hour until I heard a couple of his neighbours come out and give him a bolloking.

Col
Click to expand...
Luckily I will be in a remote area and my 9” is quieter than a genny
 
Landy_Ben said:
I have a permanently wired CTEK indicator already so it tells me when to charge.
I had intended running the engine while using the inverter to prevent issues.
Click to expand...
With the CTEK indicator you are sorted. You will learn the setup when using it, and see how long it can run before need to turn engine on. If with other vehicles can always get a jumpstart if need.

Or get a solar panel on the roof or a portable one for on the ground. A 100w kit from respectable seller is a nice addition, works well for keeping battery topped up if don't drive everyday.
We got few panels on roof for running a fridge/freezer and used it for small computer and monitor
 
Last edited:
UsInWorld said:
With the CTEK indicator you are sorted. You will learn the setup when using it, and see how long it can run before need to turn engine on. If with other vehicles can always get a jumpstart if need.

Or get a solar panel on the roof or a portable one for on the ground. A 100w kit from respectable seller is a nice addition, works well for keeping battery topped up if don't drive everyday.
We got few panels on roof for running a fridge/freezer and used it for small computer and monitor
Click to expand...
Yeah was thinking about a solar panel on top of sunroof - plugged into the ctek panel having read about the K orange over lander on LRM
 
Landy_Ben said:
Yeah was thinking about a solar panel on top of sunroof - plugged into the ctek panel having read about the K orange over lander on LRM
Click to expand...
Go for it, knowing battery is always topped up is great.
Would recommend the solid panels with alu frame.
Had 2 flexible ones fail within 2 years!
Currently got 3x 100w panels to 3 batteries(1 starter and 2 leisure)
All diy and works well
 
UsInWorld said:
Go for it, knowing battery is always topped up is great.
Would recommend the solid panels with alu frame.
Had 2 flexible ones fail within 2 years!
Currently got 3x 100w panels to 3 batteries(1 starter and 2 leisure)
All diy and works well
Click to expand...
For the top up to starter battery can you recommend a panel or kit?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.