Mounting a power inverter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Wyandotte, Michigan
Mounting a power inverter
Making a trip down to Kalahari in Sandusky Ohio in another week. My kids want to play their Xbox on the trip so I need to install an inverter. I have a small one already but need to know if I can bolt this thing down to the floor underneath the second row seats. I know someone has done this before.
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Gallatin, TN.
I have done the same thing. Mounted under the seat. FYI an insurance company will not cover a loss for something that is not permanently mounted to a vehicle. <p>Anything not stock that adds value your truck you need to add to your policy or get clarification on how much coverage your basic policy gives you for customization. Just a friendly reminder from an adjuster who has told many folks "Sorry that $5k of electronics is not covered as you did not add that to your policy". 
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I have a small one that I popped under the cup holders in the rear of the center console. Just behind where the audio controls are you can lift off the cup holder portion and there is a HUGE cavitiy in there with a 12v power supply already there. I dont draw alot of power so I just spliced into the 12V wires that were there already and ran the 110 wire out the bottom of the console.
Rc
Rc
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From: Rochester, NY
I swore I replied to this already....
I looked, and the Xbox 360 requires 150-160 Watts. Watch for heat on that inverter. I keep a small one in the glove box, and that sucker gets HOT!
I looked, and the Xbox 360 requires 150-160 Watts. Watch for heat on that inverter. I keep a small one in the glove box, and that sucker gets HOT!
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Just check the wattage of the power supply for the laptop, it's usually between 60-120 watts. I have 2 Dells 1 is 60 watt and the other is 90 watt. The other option is to check with the manufacturer of your laptop if there is a vehicle cable option. Most emergency vehicles with MDT's are laptops with 12volt adapters. And make sure the mount you use doesn't interfer with the airbags.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
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From: Central Florida
Remember too that you divide the wattage by 12 to get the amperage. Once you have the amps, figure your distance to the battery and use the appropriate sized wires. If your tapping into a stock wire make sure it's bigger than what you need, but the wire is feeding something else.
With game consoles, they really don't like square wave inverters. When I was in school a kid put a xbox 360 in solstice, he had a cheaper inverter and could not get rid of the lines in the picture. You need at a minimum a modified sine wave inverter capable of the consoles input.
With game consoles, they really don't like square wave inverters. When I was in school a kid put a xbox 360 in solstice, he had a cheaper inverter and could not get rid of the lines in the picture. You need at a minimum a modified sine wave inverter capable of the consoles input.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Eastern PA
Make sure you watch for HEAT! I have a 150w and even those get warm when in use. I put a spacer, 1/8" piece of wood the size of the inverter, between mine and the carpet. Having the carpet insulate it, it would trigger an overload and shut off after only a few minutes with my laptop. Granted, it's only a $29 one from walmart, and probably not the best, but with the piece of wood giving it space so it can stay cool, it works great. It's mounted right in front of my center console on the floor. In my Expedition it was right in the center console.
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