A typical inverter is only capable of supplying 12 volts of power. That is adequate for lights and small appliances, but doesn't give enough energy to power items with greater requirements, such as TVs and refrigerators.
All inverters are capable of disrupting the reception of radio waves, which can be inconvenient or even dangerous, if the driver is listening to weather or road reports through the radio.
The average inverter degrades over time, producing fewer volts per usage, while taking longer to recharge. A more expensive inverter will last longer than a cheap inverter, making it worth the initial investment.
Most inverters are only capable of producing about 90 percent of the energy they claim to produce. Inverters go into sleep mode when not being used, but they continue to drain power from the main battery sources unless fully shut down.
The longer an inverter runs, the hotter it becomes. Most inverters are equipped with cooling fans, though some models have loud fans that run continuously. Inverters that are used for long periods of time--4 hours or more--are subject to faster degradation of energy output.
