Help !!! Inverter install
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From: Sin City
Help !!! Inverter install
Can someone point me to a thread, a web address or give me step by step instructions how to properly hard wire my inverter? I have a 800W inverter, it didnt come with the traditional cig plug, it has the aligator type clips to go directly to the battery. I want to mount it, then have an outlet in the front by my dash and one in the bed of my truck. Please help... 12 Volt Challenged
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First things first Go to wal mart, or best buy or something and buy a 10-8 Guage amp power kit, the kind that doesn't come with RCA cables. It will come with a fuseholder and everything. Then find a place to mount the Inverter, under a seat or whatever... Hook up your power wires: ground the ground near the inverter to the sheetmetal, be sure to scuff the paint before using a self tapping screw to affix the ground lead. Hook the positive to the battery (your Inverter must have a turn on wire, or this will drain your battery.) Hook the turn on wire to your ignition harness, or to a fuse that comes on when you turn the key on. If your inverter does not have a switch wire you will have to turn it off when your not in your vehicle, or not using it... or it will kill your battery.
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From: Chicago Area
I would definitely get more instructions from the inverter manufacturer.
I put in a 1000 watt inverter (2000 surge), and was surprised to find that they specified 2 gauge cables to both battery terminals, a 150 amp fuse, and a separate #8 non-current carrying ground conductor to the body. Also, you are not supposed to mount the unit in the engine compartment. Be sure to protect that positive cable from any possible abrasion.
I know mine is larger than yours, and my specs seem like overkill even at that, but you don't want to fool around with these large current draws in the presence of gasoline. And frankly, if you have to ask these kinds of questions, you should probably consider having this done by someone with some knowledge and experience.
I put in a 1000 watt inverter (2000 surge), and was surprised to find that they specified 2 gauge cables to both battery terminals, a 150 amp fuse, and a separate #8 non-current carrying ground conductor to the body. Also, you are not supposed to mount the unit in the engine compartment. Be sure to protect that positive cable from any possible abrasion.
I know mine is larger than yours, and my specs seem like overkill even at that, but you don't want to fool around with these large current draws in the presence of gasoline. And frankly, if you have to ask these kinds of questions, you should probably consider having this done by someone with some knowledge and experience.
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From: Sin City
ok the hard wiring part seems to be pretty straight forward, and not as hard as I thought. what about moving the power switch to my dash like i have seen in some pics of installs and also relocating the the ac outlets to different parts of the truck, does someone just use an extension cord plugged into the inverter then mount the other end ?
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As for a switch, you can do that too... If your inverter has a 12 volt on off input (small guage turn on wire) then you just hook the small wire to one side of the switch, and then 12 volts + into the other. As for the inverters with no small wire, you will just have to hook a relay in line with the power cable, and hook the switch up to the relay. As for the outlets, it would brobably be best to use extension cords on the inverter, as you wouldn't want to take it apart and hard wire it... and I wouldn't use romex (house wire) in a car for any reason.
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From: Sin City
well I hooked it up just like 03F350 & MrBSS said, but I have no power to the unit. I have a 50 amp fuse in the + line at the battery, i just extended power wires for the switch, put the switch in the dash. but I did just ground the unit to bare metal where I mounted it, im wondering if thats not a good ground or should I ground it at the battery? Any more suggestions guys?
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From: WA
The body ground should be sufficient. What exactly do you have it grounded to?
Is the surface you have the ground attached to have paint on it? Also is the ground you attached it to in contact with the chassy through some way or another?
Do you have a voltmeter by chance?
Is the surface you have the ground attached to have paint on it? Also is the ground you attached it to in contact with the chassy through some way or another?
Do you have a voltmeter by chance?
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From: Sin City
well now i have a new problem, i decided to just run a wire to the neg post for the ground, so now i have power to the unit, but my ac plugs dont work??? i plugged something in and it didnt work. i think im gonna just start over and re wire it and see what happens. i just wish i had some instructions on how to do this by someone who has.
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From: Cupertino, CA
Check your ground point carefully. Make sure it's clean, bare metal and good, solid contact. Also, the shorter the better. Grounds gave me troubles when I was installing my inverter.
Are you getting any indication of power at the AC end? You might try a very small wattage appliance (like a 5W light bulb if you have one) to see whether you can power anything.
A 50-amp fuse will blow if you try to use your inverter at or near full capacity, BTW. Remember Ohm's Law and bear in mind that your inverter will probably work at no more than 80% efficiency. Good luck...
Are you getting any indication of power at the AC end? You might try a very small wattage appliance (like a 5W light bulb if you have one) to see whether you can power anything.
A 50-amp fuse will blow if you try to use your inverter at or near full capacity, BTW. Remember Ohm's Law and bear in mind that your inverter will probably work at no more than 80% efficiency. Good luck...
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I would think that a body ground would work, but mine specified a 2ga negative connection to the battery itself, as well as a separate #8 non-current carrying ground to the body. And a 150 amp fuse in the (2ga) positive connection to the battery.
I guess there could be many reasons you're not getting AC. On mine, if it trips out for any reason, you must turn the rocker switch off and then on by hand.
Hope that's all you need!
I guess there could be many reasons you're not getting AC. On mine, if it trips out for any reason, you must turn the rocker switch off and then on by hand.
Hope that's all you need!
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From: Marquette, MI
I have a 500W one. I ran 4-guage cables directly to the battery. The inverter is mounted under the passenger seat. I put a 60A fuse on the + line and mounted the fuse block next to the power distribution box. Works perfectly. I never used a body ground. Just I have to reach under to turn it on/off when I need it.