Pure vs Modified Sine Wave Inverter! Worth the HUGE price difference? Find out!

300Watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter
www.etrailer.com/RV-Inverters...
800Watt Modified Sine Wave Inverter
www.etrailer.com/12V-Power-Ac...
Link to all the accessories I review and use from etrailer!
www.etrailer.com/infm-big-tru...
RV Towing Upgrades
*Reese Goosebox Gen2: www.etrailer.com/Fifth-Wheel-...
*B&W OEM Gooseball: www.etrailer.com/Gooseneck/B-...
*B&W Fifth Wheel Hitch: www.etrailer.com/Fifth-Wheel/...
*B&W Sliding Fifth Wheel Hitch: www.etrailer.com/Fifth-Wheel/...
*Equalizer Weight Distribution Hitch: www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distr...
*B&W Tow and Stow Hitch: www.etrailer.com/Ball-Mounts/...
*Fastway ALBM Hitch: www.etrailer.com/Ball-Mounts/...
RV and Trailer Equipment Upgrades
*RoadArmor Suspension Equalizer: www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=r...
EquaFlex Suspension Equalizer: www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Leaf...
*Dexter HD Shackle Straps and Wet Bolts: www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Leaf...
*RV Suspension Upgrade (travel trailer, Cargo Trailer): www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Leaf...
*16” G Rated Wheel Tire Combo: www.etrailer.com/Boat-Trailer...
*Goodyear Endurance 15” Trailer Tire: www.etrailer.com/Tires-and-Wh...
*Goodyear Endurance 16” Trailer Tire: www.etrailer.com/Tires-and-Wh...
*Furrion Wireless Backup Camera: www.etrailer.com/RV-Camera/Fu...
*Furrion Wireless Side and Rear Cameras: www.etrailer.com/RV-Camera/Fu...
*Phoenix Electric Trailer Jack 4,000 lbs: www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Jack...
*GlowStep Revolution Steps: www.etrailer.com/RV-and-Campe...
*LCI Solid Steps: www.etrailer.com/RV-and-Campe...
*LCI Cord Reel: www.etrailer.com/Accessories_...
*Reese Fifth Wheel Dual Motor Landing Gear: www.etrailer.com/Camper-Jack/...
Must Have Equipment!
*6000 Watt Generator Kit: www.etrailer.com/Generators/e...
*3200 Watt Inverter Generator: www.etrailer.com/Generators/e...
*2000 Watt Inverter Generator: www.etrailer.com/Generators/e...
*30amp to 50amp Power Cord: www.etrailer.com/RV-Wiring/Mi...
*LED RV Replacement Taillights: www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Ligh...
*Fastway Tire Chocks: www.etrailer.com/Camper-Jack/...
*RV Foam Sprayer: www.etrailer.com/Car-Cleaner/...
*RV Soap: www.etrailer.com/Car-Cleaner/...
Truck Upgrades:
*Airlift 5000 Airbag Kit: www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Vehi...
*Airlift Wireless Air Controller: www.etrailer.com/Accessories-...
*Access Toolbox Bed Cover: www.etrailer.com/Tonneau-Cove...
*Bedrug Bed Liner: www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Truc...
*Floormats: www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=F...
My other channel: / btbrvrants
Instagram: / bigtruckbigrv
Facebook: / bigtruckbigrv
*Etrailer.com and Road Armor are the official sponsors of my channel. Equipment reviewed may have been provided by them as part of their sponsorship. All reviews are honest and unbiased. This channel is for entertainment purposes and you should always do your own research prior to making a decision!
Music by: Autonautix
Music by: Bensound Sponsored items may be in this video. Always research multiple sources before making a purchasing decision. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@thor8086]

Modified sine wave (MSW) inverter is good enough for power tools, laptop, fridge, and all chargers. Any cheap inverters are good for induction stove, electric heater and coffee maker. Hifi audio equipment and Jam radio would need pure sine wave inverter. Your home AC outlet is much worse than pure sine wave, and even if you had a pure sine wave inverter when fridge or microwave kicks in the pure sine wave is distorted badly. Lightening strikes, you definitely don't have sine wave any more, it'll be DC. Does MSW inverter shorten life of electronic devices, yes just as your home power outage and brown outs. If you keep your RV flat screen or laptop for 10-20 years then get a pure sine wave. Buy a good MSW inverter and save money! Not a square wave inverter.

[@TheMinecraftACMan]

Minor correction: 120v is the RMS (root mean square) voltage, not the peak voltage. The peak voltage of a 120v RMS system is around 170v.

[@kcmac9304]

Excellent! Just what I needed to know!

[@boblevey]

Really good overview!!! Thank you

[@RenovationsandRepair]

I have a AIMS 3k watt pure sin inverters for my contractor trailer. Bit overkill but I can nuke my lunch and charge all my cordless tools at the same time. Inverters are a solid investment.

[@FadeToBlackLLC]

Awesome video. I just installed a 1000watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter in our RV. Went over the whole setup on my channel. It will definitely help not have to run the Generator at times when we've just need a little bit of power. Alsop too run the TVs and charge our mobile devices.

[@blakefantasy2600]

What was the inverter?

[@randybryant9936]

I never new the difference thank you

[@crcsalim]

Thanks for the explanation!

[@lvtaylortaylor9904]

Great understandable info

[@Saint696Anger]

Thank you, explained very well

[@trishdavi7049]

Thank you for the clarification and for not running irritating background music

[@3maisons]

A 120V household circuit swings between 120*sqrt(2) and -120*sqrt(2), or from +169.7V and -169.7V. 120 is the RMS (root mean square) voltage.

[@yacoshaslam4443]

Please make another truck specific video. It would be good to understand alternator size, battery size and power usage etc. On a truck

[@gemihouston]

Thank u! Ur vid is still helping people! Btw music is loud

[@tombaker5451]

I picked up a 1000W from Canadian Tire (in Canada). And on sale it was $240. Not bad for a pure sine at all. Comes with a remote. But the biggest suggestion I would make for anyone looking at an inverter is have enough batter power to supply what you need for as long as you need it. Inverters can easily kill batteries. That said, I would like to get my hands on a larger unit. Something in the 1500 or 3000W range. Just hard to find one that’s a pure sine.

[@kenp9469]

Thank-you that was very helpful.

[@03codey]

Dang sure wish I seen this before I bought the modified sine wave inverter. . . I'm going to use it to power a laptop power supply, good thing I have multiple

[@NutmegThumper]

Good vid - thanks - initially threw me off when you switched them left to right from the intro! Planning to get one for home boiler and fridge as an option to getting a gas generator.

[@tfischer3713]

Oh wow, thanks for pointing that out, threw me off too!

[@kamalmanzukie]

is the pure sine wave inverter a sine wave oscillator followed by an amplifier? it seems that would be the ideal way to do it. why dont the switching type just use some kind of filter to output a sine wave?

[@Cdswjp]

awesome. thx. btw, what was the name of that part you held in your hand at ~6:55 of the video?

[@pgaven9396]

There are reasonably priced pure sine wave converters out there under 70 dollars

[@todd2456]

Good info! I've always wondered if I can just swap out my 1000W inverter in my RV for a 2000W inverter, so I can use my coffee maker and microwave without being plugged into shore power.

[@jameswilsin5348]

You need a 3000 watt get the pure sine wave look on Amazon

[@RicG.]

What brand/model is that refrigerator? Thanks.

[@davidmcconnell8690]

Well done. :-)) :-))

[@sourcessay8295]

Should I buy a pure or modified sign wave inverter to power a cool box (no compressor) in a cabin on a solar system forever?

[@AntonySimkin]

Can you put a transformer with 1:1 coils? Will the transformer soften the wave?

[@benaplokcampandgo]

Advance technology laptop nowadays like macbook for example, are they safe to be powered by a Modified Sine Wave Inverter?

[@yaseensergawey739]

thanks

[@pasoslargos9329]

I was using a 300mw modified sine wave inverter on my sailboat to charge my ipad. I'm pretty sure it totally fried it.

[@jonathankeenan80]

Is pure sine wave for audio?? I plugged in a portable pa speaker and I get a hum from it on with a computer ups. Is that because of the ground or the modified sin wave??

[@1950harleycharley]

Do most of the inverters state which one they are? Harbor Freight sells various ones...cheap....this clarifies a lot...thank you

[@BigTruckBigRV]

They almost always will say the type. Also, look for the image showing either a smooth wave or blocky wave

[@jfletc3000]

Need help? Has anyone used the instant pot outdoor. I want to get a power inverter but which one to get modified sine wave or pure sine wave. Do i really have to get pure sine wave. I'm not getting a straight answer from the instant pot company. I only want to power my Instant pot that it. I dont want to spend more than i need to. Any help would be appreciated

[@StudioDaVeed]

There is some misinformation in some of the comments. At the end of this comment is a link that states basically what I have always thought to be the "truth" between the two inverters. In comparison to other sites trying to sell you something, this article just states 'facts'. I only know what I have read. Anything with an AC motor or creates heat like a light bulb will run on a modified sine wave inverter BUT it may NOT run efficiently. And may...MAY...even be damaged. I have confirmed this by plugging in a small desktop fan to a modified sine wave inverter and it ran noticeably slower than when plugged into an outlet. Devices such as laptops, phones, some TVs, etc are actually DC powered. They have a rectifier usually within the power cable or at the actual wall plug end. These devices will run with no issues on a modified sine wave inverter. However using a modified sine wave inverter may shorten the battery hold charge life span. Sensitive medical equipment may run on a modified sine wave inverter; but with the same concerns if they are DC powered, do you want to trust your life to the cheaper inverter? If you want to go by the book: Any device with an AC motor; fan, drill, refrigerator with a compressor, window air conditioner, etc use a Pure sine wave inverter. Medical equipment; Pure sine wave inverter. Everything else; a Modified sine wave inverter is OK understanding if DC battery powered, the battery life may be compromised. www.lifewire.com/modified-sine-wave-inverter-damage-question-534760

[@andypop123]

I noticed the plug on the Pure Sine Wave inverter is a 20 amp ( the T slot) as well as being a GFCI. Is that the output on the unit as well. I really like the GoPower products, out trailer has the big IC2000 version, which is wired in to supply all the outlets of the trailer. (No I can't run everything at once & the A/C & Water heater are off. Thanks for the video's

[@BigTruckBigRV]

No sir. It's likely around 3amps. 300watts/110volts

[@andypop123]

Thanks, I was replying mostly on the outlet , in residential wiring a t-slot outlet is a 20amp circuit . I guess on inverters it is ok to have a heavier duty outlet than the wiring. Or these are just designed different. Thanks for the response keep up the good posts.

[@robertjohnson4784]

Hey Brother long-time follower that was a great comparison on the inverters. I have been in the car audio 12 volt aftermarket world for 30 + years you name it I have installed it. As the old saying goes you pay for what you get that definitely applies here make sure you buy the better model especially if you plan to use it as your only power source if possible upgrade to the next higher gauge wire that supplies your inverter with power it will help the inverter run smoother and cooler also always fuse your incoming power to your inverter use good connectors and make good connections loose wires will cause Heat just thought I would share with you guys love the channel keep the videos rolling always watching

[@alancarnell2747]

You answered a lot of my questions but added one back. What's up with the chimp?

[@danickgrace]

This is Grace from Danick Power Limited. We are a professional manufacture in Solar Products area in Zhejiang, China. All our solar products have been UL, VDE, SAA, CE certified and get a high reputation and hot market in north america, europe, south africa, Australia, South east Asia countries. Products mainly include Off grid inverter, LiFePO4 Lithium Battery System, Solar Pump inverter, Solar charge controller, AC-DC battery charger, PV combiner box, PV parts, Solar system solutions.

[@Ian-pe9rj]

Funny thing is the only difference between a pure sine wave inverter and a modified sine wave one is a LC low pass filter on the output (under $10 BOM cost) and the way they drive the H-Bridge. I honesty don’t know why modified sine wave inverters are still being sold 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Chris_at_Home]

Great video. About 20 years ago I was building an off grid cabin and I bought a little modified sine wave inverter to charge cordless batteries and iit started melting the charger. Now have a 4K pure sine wave.

[@erebostd]

Not all modified are the same. Some have 1 step (probably the one you used). Others have 6 or 8 voltage steps, and they work with nearly anything. Electronic moved on from 20 years ago, you know? 😉

[@Chris_at_Home]

@@erebostd I know. I only had it a few years and then installed a Trace 4048 inverter. I know a little about electronics. I worked in it most of my life and did the communications that allows companies to have phones and internet. I worked with Fiber Optic. Digital microwave and satellite( 6 years working a gateway) communications. I was an Avionics tech in the Navy. Oh, I also worked on the electronics they used to log oil wells for about 10 years. That job was all component level troubleshooting and repair. Hell, I even go back to the tube days when I had an apprenticeship in TV repair at 16 yo in the late 60s. Yup electronics has changed as we sit in our off road off grid cabin and we have cell service from a site that is supported with a helicopter and has its own power generation.

[@erebostd]

@@Chris_at_Home i can relate with the last part very much 😁 regards from continental Europe 😉👍

[@SoullesGinger]

When installing the battery kill switch, will you be hooking up the positive or the negative to the kill switch?

[@faffybubs9099]

positive

[@waterwon]

.good. video, one of these refers to the battery kill switch?

[@waterwon]

Thanks both of yall

[@WaschyNumber1]

Best would be a pure sine wave power wall like mobile station, with easy solar ect connections and 10kw peak with 4 outlets and attachable to the hours power grit🤔

[@ptcclatlptcclatl1683]

Regular plug in drills, skill saws are fine to use with modified sine wave inverters. Anything with "electronics" circuit boards should only be run from a "PURE" sine wave inverter. Think computers, health equipment. I wouldn't plug my battery charger for my Dewalt impact drill into a modified sine wave inverter.

[@StudioDaVeed]

With the exception of medical equipment; that is the exact opposite of what I have read. I'll link below. Anything with an AC motor wants a pure sine wave. I have confirmed this by plugging in a small desktop fan to a modified sine wave inverter and it ran noticeably slower than when plugged into an outlet. But my laptop hums along with no issues at all with the same inverter. Some manufacturers warn a modified sine wave inverter may shorten the life of the laptop battery; but remember, the laptop is DC powered. There is an rectifier built into the cord/plug in. Plus they want to sell you the car power adapter. So, you are taking DC power to an AC inverter where the rectifier converts it to DC to power the laptop. As far as your battery charger....given the possibility of a shorter battery life...that may be a good choice. www.lifewire.com/modified-sine-wave-inverter-damage-question-534760

[@grants5110]

can I use a Multimeter to test the voltage on my house that is powered by modified sine inverter?

[@R2KBADefender]

Most multimeters will allow you to measure the voltage value of your power source, but not the shape of the waveform it produces . By default, most meters will show the commonly used RMS value (e.g. 110, 115, 120, VAC etc.) of the waveform, but some meters can also measure the "peak to peak" voltage which is about 170Vp-p for common 120VAC sources. To determine whether your inverter produces a "pure" sine wave or a "modified /stepped" output wave-form, you will need to view the inverter's output wave-form using an oscilloscope.

[@patrickreynolds6270]

eh I've run everything under the sun with modified sine wave and never had any problems. Dewalt charges, Ryobi chargers, Ridgid charges, TV, laptops, radio, water pumps, refrigerators, ect and for years.

[@PLAYERSLAYER_22]

I think it is the long term usage and reliability of expensive plug ins that the pure sine wave inverter aims to protect

[@CortJohnson]

Me too! For years - and no problems are all

[@MatthewMello]

Do you mean a LiFePo4 Battery?

[@Roll99Tide]

I had a non pure sine inverter in several trucks and neither would work with my electric blankets. How much wattage do you think I would need to power a microwave, mini fridge, cpap, and to charge an iPad while watching tv on it?

[@eman8920]

I would buy a 2000 or 3000 watt pure sine inverter. Like around $300 on Amazon

[@Kryptkeeper911]

YOU SHOULD MAKE A VIDEO ON INSTALLING SOLAR PANELS TO THE SETUP!

[@Unfazed2024]

Very good explanation. A rule of thumb would be to only use modified inverter for lighting or AC loads with heating elements, everything else should use pure sinewave inverter.

[@StudioDaVeed]

That is pretty much the opposite I have read. AC motors need pure sine wave as do lighting elements and medical equipment. www.lifewire.com/modified-sine-wave-inverter-damage-question-534760 I have confirmed this by plugging in a small desktop fan to a modified sine wave inverter and it ran noticeably slower than when plugged into an outlet.

[@johannbekker6175]

I guess my xbox wont like the modified inverter?

[@CortJohnson]

??? I've used modified sine wave inverters to power computers, phones, milwaukee chargers, boomboxes, etc. For years with no problems.

[@rjl9707]

Same here, some 18 yrs ago, no such thing as Pure Sine. Ran 54w Tv, a few lamps, radio with old inverter. No issue. Now purchased a Pure Sine for delicate electronics.

[@mysticabbagerealm]

Yeah that's what there made for....

[@DavidrKun]

As far as I know cell phones and coffee makers don't have variable motors.

[@jensschroder8214]

"Pure sine wave" inverters have become so cheap that "modified sine wave" inverters are no longer worthwhile. The necessary control board for “pure sine” only costs less than $5. All other components are the same.

[@isaac8334]

why Americans call truck to suv ?

[@thespiritof76..]

How much experience do you have with these "modified inverters" you speak neg of? Those cigarette lighter inverters we all plug into to recharge our (sensitive) electronics w/o problem .... You think the Chinese make us pure sinewave? Nope

[@MrJstew4u]

No actual tests, or evidence

[@randybird9979]

You are buying in the wrong place

[@mdrew44628]

Sorry to pee on your parade, but this video just perpetuates the myth that you need a pure sine wave inverter. The fact is that you don't need one. TVs, laptops, CPAP machines, phones, tablets and other "sensitive" electronics all run on DC. The power supply converts the AC into DC. The power supply doesn't care what the Incoming AC looks like. I have run many things on modified sine wave inverters for days with no problems at all. Show me on an oscilloscope what you are claiming.

[@StudioDaVeed]

I somewhat agree. There are a couple of comments that state anything with an AC motor is ok on a modified sine wave. Which as I understand it and have tested is the exact opposite. Some sensitive medical equipment apparently will not even run on modified; link below. There is some concern that a modified sine wave "May" shorten the life of the battery within a device. www.lifewire.com/modified-sine-wave-inverter-damage-question-534760

[@mdrew44628]

@@StudioDaVeed anyone that has a variable speed ceiling fan will tell you that an AC motor runs just fine on a modified sine wave.....have you ever looked at the output of a thyristor on an oscilloscope? That is about as ugly as an AC waveform can be, but the AC motor runs just fine for 20+ years. Pure sine wave inverters are just sales hype to charge people 3 times the price.....

[@bobhunt595]

Induction motors