Recharging off inverters

[Jim2565]

I've got the dual charger with an 18v setup. I am setting up solar electric at a remote site and I'm looking to buy a small inverter. I've read on various power inverter web sites that some rechargers cannot be run off a modified sine wave inverter, and your must, therefore, use the (more expensive) true sine wave inverter. Which type of inverter should I get for using my Ridgid charger.

[tec2484]

Jim

I have a 800 watt coleman inverter (modified sine wave) and it won't run any of my chargers (18 volt ryobi, 9.6 volt makita or 14.4 volt dewalt) It will run my 1/2 drive snap-on 120 volt 7.5 amp impact gun. I will be finding out if it will run a ridgid charger soon though. I'm gettin the 18 volt combo pack in about a week. I will let you know if it works. :confused:

[mr man]

I don't know if this will help you, but I use a Husky 350 watt inverter I got at HD to charge batterys with, it has worked with my Ridgid charger just fine.
Sorry I don't know if its a modified sine wave or not?

[RGad]

A NiCad battery "rapid" charger, or any device that includes a switching power supply, or any device that depends on zero voltage crossing points should NEVER be run on an MSW inverter. It is not that the charger won't work; it will be destroyed.

The charger may or may not work on a PSW inverter (though not one of only 350 watts capacity), but even if it does, this is a horribly inefficient way of charging batteries.

[ 10-30-2003, 12:01 AM: Message edited by: RGad ]