Car inverter questions

I would run the fridge on a separate inverter but other than that I don't see a problem. I run "desktop" PCs in my cars for MP3 players and I have had no problems.

All these are available in 12V versions (PSU in the case of the laptop). I would consider that unless you have already bought the items.

If the fridge uses a compressor, an inverter could have problems with the motor starting current.

Probably. I've never measured a laptop's consumption, but I doubt it's anywhere near 60W, at least not sustained.

If you insist on using the fridge on the inverter, I would buy a model is rated for at least 300W continuous and 500W up to so-many minutes. They make higher wattage models, but the price goes up a lot also. That way when the fridge kicks in, it might not hurt the inverter. As for the laptop, I don't see a problem. We use them at my work (300W, 500W peak) to power a laptop and several flashlight and radio chargers per vehicle.

here is some example text from a Radioshack model on the web...

. Two AC outlets . Rated 110VAC output @300 watts continuous, 600 watts surge . Powerful 600-watt surge output for TVs, motors and other inductive loads . Reverse polarity and overload protection . Short-circuit protected . Includes DC lighter socket plug and battery clips . Low-battery alarm and auto-shutdown . Auto-reset and auto TV-starting circuit . Heavy-duty plug and cable

X-No-Archive: Yes

Refrigerator is one of the most difficult thing for an inverter to start, especially the stepped squarewave type because the available starting torque is reduced. You'll need an inverter capable of surge power of about 1000W and you have to set up something to make sure the fridge won't be allowed to restart for five minutes if allowed to turn off or else the compressor won't turn and inverter will stay in overloaded state.

Let's say the fridge is running with the engine off. The inverter will cut out when the starter motor is activated. You need to somehow make sure the fridge won't be powered for five minutes once the inverter gets running again.