What are Auto DC to AC Inverters?

Have you ever questioned how you can plug your phone charger in your car, van, truck, boat, or camper? How about any of your electrical items or devices? How does a moving vehicle have electrical outlets? The Answer: It’s all because of an Auto DC to AC Inverter.

Sure, you can utilize a cord that will plug into the vehicles lighter port. But what if that’s not enough? With an inverter for example, you can watch TV and use a DVD player. You can even use a gaming system. An inverter will even allow you to cook.

Power inverters convert direct current (DC), into alternating current (AC). Direct current comes from your vehicle battery. Alternating current is the kind of power supplied to your house as well as to power bigger electronics needed to function.

Determining what kind of power inverter you need isn’t hard. For example, most cars and motor homes have a 12-volt battery that they draw their power source from. A heavy-duty 24-volt battery is sometimes used as well. You need to know what your vehicle’s voltage is. The voltage rating of any inverter you choose should match the voltage of the battery you’re utilizing.

Why is it called a direct current? It’s because it only travels in one direction. A continuous current flows from the negative terminal on your battery, making a complete circuit and then right back to the positive end.

How do you install an inverter? Well, there are two ways to do this. One way is to plug it into your car or vehicle’s lighter port. This is the case for most of the small wattage inverters. It’s meant to be very portable and convenient. If you’re looking for a more lasting solution, the larger wattage inverters have clips that you can clip onto your battery terminals. Granted, this can still be removed. There are some that have wires that can be linked permanently to your battery terminals.

The wattage isn’t the only thing you need to concern yourself with. The size can also be an issue. The smaller the inverter the less the wattage. There are some inverters that can weigh upward to 30lbs. Determining what size you need may depends on the room you have for it.

Now even when you are on the go, you can have the luxuries as if you were at home. From hair dryers to curling irons, phone chargers and fans the possibilities are endless.

Differences between NiMH and NiCad Batteries

 

When it comes to powering up portable devices, there are two common battery choices: Nickel-Metal Hydride, or Nickel Cadmium. They can be used interchangeably due to their 1.2V rating.

These two different battery types are used throughout the industry, so it’s helpful to know what the differences are between them and which type, if any, are more desirable for your application.

The main difference (and the most important) is that NiMH is the newer of the two and is able to provide a much higher energy density than the NiCad battery. In essence, the NiMH battery is twice as powerful and can power a connected appliance for twice as long as the older NiCad battery. All of this comes about without adding any additional weight or size to the battery. Due to this, more industry users are switching to this kind of a battery over the older NiCad. Consumers want a battery that’s able to last longer, all without having to weigh the device down. This is all possible by upgrading to the NiMH style of battery.

Besides just the power of the battery, NiCad batteries are suffering from what’s known as “Memory Effect.” This happens if a battery is continually charged before the power supply is spent. Hence the battery becomes used to not using a specific portion of the power. Once this is the case, the battery no longer uses that area, even though it’s available, which can cause the battery to drain much faster than before. There’s the old theory of not recharging a battery until it is completely dead, and that steams from this sort of a battery. Charging it too soon can eventually reduce the amount of power it provides the device. The NiMH batteries do not suffer from this issue, so it’s possible to connect it to a power outlet or other charging station and not worry about the battery becoming use to the memory effect.

Lastly, NiMH batteries do not contain heavy metals, which are often an environmental problem, so the NiCad batteries are seen more as environmentally unfriendly as well. All of this points to the NiMH batteries as the better option.

Top 5 Emergency Devices That Should Have Spare Batteries

Emergencies happen anywhere at any time without warning. Examples are a bad storm that leaves you without power and water, a car accident, or any other number of emergency situations. The power outage or emergency might be extended for long periods of time, so it’s important that you have emergency devices on hand and ready to use.

Here are the top five emergency devices that should always have spare batteries:

#1: Cell Phones
When in an emergency, cell phones are your connection to others for help; whether a call to the police, fire department, or family. New and latest technology of powerbanks, or external phone battery chargers, can be great spares for emergencies.

#2: Flashlight
Be certain to have plenty of spare batteries for flashlights on hand so they can be used frequently throughout the night. Keep your spare batteries together with your flashlight. You may want to tape them to the flashlight for easy access.

#3 Radio:
In emergencies, have a battery-operated radio handy so you can find out the latest details & news. One way to make sure the extra batteries are easy to find is to place them in a small baggie and tape it to the back of the radio.

#4 Fans:
During power outages during the heat of the summer, you are at the mercy of the power company to get it going again. Keeping battery-operated fans handy with a supply of extra batteries can help you stay comfortable while you wait for power.

#5 Generators:
Generators are very handy during long power outages to run big and small appliances. Store an extra battery charged and ready to fire up your generator in case of hurricanes, tornadoes, or storms that knock your power out.

Energize Me!

There are several different types of batteries that we rely on for different reasons and applications. There are watch batteries, solar batteries, rechargeable batteries, disposable batteries, etc. The type of battery you use does make a significant difference.

Lithium-based batteries are a fairly new type of batteries. The lithium-based battery is a highly recommended battery when it comes to providing power for high-drain and high-tech devices. When using a lithium-based battery, it can provide high performance for devices that we rely on a daily basis.

Here are some advantages to lithium-based batteries:

• Higher energy density
• Self-discharge is less than half of nickel-based batteries
• No periodic discharge is needed
• No memory effect to the battery
• Certain cells provide high current

Lithium primary (one-time use) batteries can have a storage life of up to 10 years. This battery is also 30% lighter weight than alkaline batteries.

Lithium-ion (rechargeable) batteries stand apart from other batteries because of their longevity and ability to outlast the competitors. Lithium-ion batteries are popular and are found in many electronic devices and also in hybrid cars.

The silicon anode and the sulfur cathode so far have been the most cost effective way to continue producing lithium-based batteries.

7 Quick Tips to Preserve Your Airsoft Battery

Airsoft can be a very fun activity to do with your friends. The excitement of playing with replica guns can definitely be an extremely thrilling experience for some people. However, the game can sometimes be a frustrating experience too. When some people play with their airsoft guns, they notice that the battery seems to die too quickly.

Here are a few quick tips that will keep your airsoft battery last longer:

Tip 1: Perhaps the most important tip that’s likely common sense to most people is that airsoft guns should NEVER be used without first being fully charged. It isn’t a wise decision at all, and it will obviously leave you with less time to enjoy your airsoft gun.

Tip 2: In addition, if you feel the battery’s weakening in your airsoft gun after it has been fully charged, DO NOT continue to use it. Allow the gun to recharge before using it again.

Tip 3: To charge your airsoft gun, it’s best if you use a smart charger. If you cannot obtain a smart charger, resort to a standard electrical outlet timer. Smart chargers are ideal, as they’ll give your battery the greatest amount of charge possible. Also, they keep your battery in excellent condition.

Tip 4: When you’re charging your airsoft battery, DO NOT charge it over the recommended charge time. The recommended charging time is dependent upon the type of battery that you have.

Tip 5: In addition, DO NOT plug the converter anywhere other than directly to a wall outlet. If you use an extension cord or power strip, you’ll increase the charge time and you’ll risk damaging the battery. Power strips should also be avoided, as a power surge can occur with too many devices plugged in at once.

Tip 6: It’s of the greatest importance that airsoft batteries should NEVER be left unattended when they’re charging. If you do this, you could greatly damage the battery permanently. Periodically feel the battery to test if it’s fully charged. A warm battery indicates a fully charged airsoft battery, while a lukewarm battery indicates an airsoft battery is still in the charging process. A hot battery is one that’s likely permanently damaged. Thus, this indicates the significance of never allowing an airsoft battery to charge past it’s charging time.

Tip 7: Finally, an airsoft battery should NEVER be left in the gun after you have finished using it. This causes power to be lost and could potentially leak if left for an extended period of time. Therefore, it is always wise to take the battery out of the gun after use.

Check out All-Battery Airsoft Zone here: http://www.all-battery.com/airsoftzone.aspx