Replacing my Inverter on the Road
After making it over the border, my inverter promptly stopped working. The inverter is what converts solar energy (12v) into standard power (120v). It is really important to have an inverter if you have things like a computer that need to charge.
After man FaceTime calls with my uncle troubleshooting the electrical system, I figured out that I had fried my inverter (likely from not unplugging it while it was sitting in 100 degree weather for a couple weeks). I called the company who told me that it was beyond its year warranty. I quickly started looking for a new inverter online but learned that shipping into Canada is a bit of hassle and Amazon wouldn’t send me one to a locker because the inverter was too big.. I was in a pickle. I then looked online for a store in town that may have an option and found Canadian Tire.
If you have never heard of or been to Canadian Tire, it is AMAZING. They have everything you could need from tools to car parts, batteries, clothing, dog toys literally so many things. So off I went to Canadian Tire to find an inverter. This is the point in owning a van that I learned the difference between Pure Sine and Modified Sine inverters.
ATTENTION: If you are building a van GET A PURE SINE INVERTER.
The difference between pure sine and modified sine is the “shape” of the power coming out to the outlets. In modified sine inverters, it goes up, across, and down - the ONLY reason this is important to know is because when it gets to the “across” point of the path it stops the current. This means that you are only getting power every 2 seconds. I typical pattern is 2-2-2 so it stops in the middle. It is VERY annoying and will not charge things effectively.
A pure sine inverter delivers continuous power on a wave - think high school algebra. It is continuous and powers things MUCH more effectively.
I of course did not know this and purchases a modified sine inverter to replace the one I fried. I ended up going back a few days later and exchanged it for a pure sine inverter. Needless to say, I spent a lot of time at Canadian Tire and in the parking lot of Canadian Tire swapping out my inverter (multiple times).
