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iPhone 11 What happens if I charge my phone with power inverter?
- Thread starter zedmark97
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It is very inefficient to charge this way as you first step up your 12V from the car to 110V, then the power supply will change the voltage back down to 5V.
For the phone battery there is no difference to other charging methods, as the phone won´t be connected directly to the inverter.
For the phone battery there is no difference to other charging methods, as the phone won´t be connected directly to the inverter.
You should be fine with this set up, but I would suggest getting a 12VDC to USB adapter as someone already mentioned, using an inverter is really inefficient.
12VDC to USB adapters can be sold for less than $10 in the US.
Well, I wouldn't say that power is power for all devices.
There are some things that do not work well or could be damaged with power supplied from a modified sine wave inverter.
But you are correct when talking about charging an iPhone.
It doesn’t harm anything. Just wasted energy.
thats why we recommend cheap usb charger for your cigarette lighter port.
regarding laptop no idea
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No, everyone is saying you CAN charge your phone or laptop using the inverter with no issues...
What people are saying is it's like buying milk, having it dried, and then adding water to the powder to make it liquid milk again.
The vehicle puts out DC voltage, the inverter converts DC to AC. The power adapter for the iPhone changes AC to DC. Going up to AC, and back to DC is just a road you don't need to travel. Save the inverter for something that can only work with AC voltage. If you have a MacBook Pro that charges with USB-C, you can even charge that through a lighter to USB-C adapter. (Charging a MacBook Pro won't necessarily charge as fast as plugging it in to a wall outlet, but it will charge.)
If you were to stick to the inverter, use Apple power adapters as they won't pass garbage power so readily to whatever is plugged in to it.
You charge your phone using the plug in your house right? That's AC power, then your adapter converts it to DC. Same thing... If you want to argue that turning DC power to AC and then back to DC is somehow bad for your device please list your sources...
True, but the OP was trying to use an inverter in a car. Never mind...
Inverters are notorious for wasting power. I have a factory inverter in my car, and they say to not use it for 'long periods'. They don't say what a 'long period' is, but the inverter does (supposedly) have a temperature sensr, and will shutdown if it gets too hot. I've never had to use it so I have no clue if it actually works. There are so many things now that are battery driven, the need for an inverter is probably a lot less than it was when the car was engineered/made. *shrug*
My sources are physics and electronic classes. Beyond that my time is too valuable to look it up for you so forget any costs.
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Semi drivers use multiple inverters all the time to power their fridges, Tv, Microwaves and such. Works fine for them to.
The little cube your usb charging cord plugs into outputs a certain current no matter what it’s plugged into. Doesn’t matter but the little cigarette lighter adapter is way cheaper than an inverter and less bulky.
There are really good inverters that put out a correct sign wave. They cost more. And cheap inverters can be fine for some applications like heating coils.
You most likely will be fine using it. Especially if you use an Apple power adapter, as they have good filters built in. But as a number of people have stated it is a convoluted inefficient way to charge.
I’m not interested in looking it up because I already know the answer. I run a high quality inverter in my off road rig and know it has performed exceptionally and has never damaged any device or product hooked up to it. You get what you pay for. If you use the right products you won’t have an issue. My post pointed out that going from D/C to A/C to D/C doesn’t cause any problems. If you use a cheap inverter then I wouldn’t argue problems could arise just like using a cheap charging brick. As far as paying to have sources listed it’s clearly stated in the forum rules that they shouldn’t have to be paid for...
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I don't disagree with your post, but I don't remember seeing any post of the thread that going from DC to AC to DC would cause any problems with charging a laptop or phone.
I think about everyone agreed that it would be fine, although some pointed out that it would be inefficient when a 12VDC USB adapter would probably be more ideal.
But for the record, there are some electronics and devices that do not work well or could be damaged from using typical modified sine wave inverters, which the OP is using.
A lot of manufacturers will post of list of electronics that are not suitable for their modified sine wave inverters.
This would depend on whether it is a pure sine wave or modified sine wave and what electronics you are using with it.
If it is a high quality inverter, then it is most likely a pure sine wave inverter, so you wouldn't have a problem with it.
Something like this:
BESTEK 300Watt Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter Car Adapter DC 12V to AC 110V with 4.2A Dual Smart USB Ports
BESTEK 300Watt Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter Car Adapter DC 12V to AC 110V with 4.2A Dual Smart USB Ports
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I was just talking about efficiency. If your motor isn‘t running or u have an EV car and just wanna charge your phone the cigarette USB adapter or already build in usb port is the way to go.
Side note: modern cars also disconnect the power generator when battery is full to save fuel. But i guess this isn’t the priority here
Side note: modern cars also disconnect the power generator when battery is full to save fuel. But i guess this isn’t the priority here
What about using something like this, installed in the car? There are tons of other options too. 
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