Where To Get Power

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 7, 2009 | 05:18 PM

Immortal_Ben

Thread Starter

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 1,993

Likes: 16

From: Colorado

Where To Get Power

Hey hey guys. I have searched this part of the forum, but I guess my keywords arent the right ones.

I am wiring in a small power inverter and cannot figure out where to get my power. I only want power when the truck is running or when the key is in the accessory position.

Thanks in advance

Mar 7, 2009 | 05:22 PM

Immortal_Ben

Thread Starter

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 1,993

Likes: 16

From: Colorado

Guess I just found what I needed, so Im off to get a fuse tap. .... which I have never hear of before.

Mar 7, 2009 | 05:33 PM

BradyCouchman

Post Fiend

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 6,221

Likes: 6

From: Cow Town, CA

using a fuse tap will work ok but not great. the way i would do it is with a relay. run a wire from the battery to it for the high power for the inverter, and use the fuse tap just to kick the relay over when you turn the truck on.

Mar 7, 2009 | 06:00 PM

Immortal_Ben

Thread Starter

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 1,993

Likes: 16

From: Colorado

Yeah, Im not really an electrical kind of guy.... I understand the WHAT of what you said, but not the WHY. Can you enlighten me please? Thanks.

I didnt get the fuse tap picked up because the two parts stores around here are closed anyway.

Mar 7, 2009 | 07:00 PM

BradyCouchman

Post Fiend

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 6,221

Likes: 6

From: Cow Town, CA

well a relay is a fancy switch that uses a low current to switch a high current wire. the power inverter will need a good amount of power and most likely your fuse box dosent have it. but your fuse box will have enough current to click over a relay that then can have high power off the battery (with a fuse). it is really just to make sure that the power inverter gets enough power to work right.

Mar 7, 2009 | 07:04 PM

Franklin2

Moderator

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 56,984

Likes: 2,738

From: Virginia

You do need to scope out how much power you actually need. If it's a very small inverter, the fuse tap may be ok. If it's a large one, the fuse tap is not going to work. Look up the specs of the inverter and see how many amps it draws at 12 volts.

Mar 7, 2009 | 08:59 PM

Immortal_Ben

Thread Starter

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 1,993

Likes: 16

From: Colorado

It is a 200w inverter and is only used for powering my laptop and cell phone charger. After I got temp power to it, I tested it by plugging in my Dremel and turning it to its highest rpm. There seemed to be enough power, but I will look into it further.

Thanks guys.