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Help Needed Wiring Up A Power Inverter

TexasAl

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TexasAl Enthusiast

TexasAl

Posted
Posted

OK. I am trying to get a power inverter hardwired into my truck (2008 Sivlerado 5.3). I got a small 400 watt unit, but I may eventually upgrade to a 1000 W unit. I am planning on installing the inverter inside, but in order to use the full 400 W, it needs to be wired directly to the battery. Directions state I should use a #4 wire.It looks pretty straight forward. I am planning an inline fuse. The inverter shows a max a 3.48 Amps working range. What inline fuse should I use? The unit itself has a 25 A. The fuse will most likely be located at the battery connection. Any tips you guys might have before I tackle this install? Thanks in advance for your input.

 

Al

tramz Enthusiast

tramz

Posted
Posted

The calculation for an A/C system is watts/volts x 1.25 = amps. I believe the 3.48 amp is the inverter load, you want to fuse to protect the load on the device plugged into it, so 400/12 x 1.25= 41.7 and if the unit came with a 25A fuse and this being D/C, apparently I have no clue. :dunno:

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted

What do you plan on running with it?

 

I use a 400 watt inverter in my company car to run my laptop and charge my phone and it works great connected to the 12V socket. I've been doing this for two years with no problems whatsoever.

2COR517 Enthusiast

2COR517

Posted
Posted

Tim's math is correct. Is it a 200w inverter, with 400 watt surge? That might explain the 25 amp fuse. Number 4 wire is ridiculous for that load. #8 with a 40 or 50 amp breaker would be fine. If you plan to go to the 1000 watt, might as well put #2 in now.

97SierraGMC Senior Enthusiast

97SierraGMC

Posted
Posted

Quick question, not to thread jack, but if i put in a 200W converter to power a laptop about how long would the battery in my truck last before it dies to where it cannot start?

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted
Quick question, not to thread jack, but if i put in a 200W converter to power a laptop about how long would the battery in my truck last before it dies to where it cannot start?

 

Don't know but I leave my inverter on 24/7 with the laptop battery charger attached. I only drive the Explorer Monday through Thursday. It sits unstarted Friday through Sunday. Never had a problem.

TexasAl Enthusiast

TexasAl

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Well, am running a black and decker inverter. Here is the B&D's webpage:

 

http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductGuide...ProductID=17928

 

 

These are the technical specs on it:

 

Max Continuous Power - 400 W

Surge Capacity (Peak Power) - 800 W

Input Voltage - 12.8 V

Output Voltage - 115 V

Fuse - 25 Amp x2 Amps

Output Wave Form - Modified Sine Wave

Powers Up To - 3.48 Amps

 

 

I'm thinking of running my laptop and printer from it. I will also use it to run a reciprocating saw and charge my cordless tool batteries. The manual noted that I had to connect it to the battery with the clips or hard wire it if I plan to use more than 80 watts. I don't want to risk damaging the electrical on my Silverado, so I was planning on hard wiring it. Let me know what you guys think.

superjim Senior Enthusiast

superjim

Posted
Posted

I had an 800 watt inverter in a previous vehicle.

I used QUALITY alligator clips to clip it to my battery when needed.

I used #4 solid core wire, not stranded wire...I think.

It may have been even bigger than that. :dunno:

The wire was big enough that it was difficult to work with, but I wanted to be SURE that it wouldn't be too small.

2COR517 Enthusiast

2COR517

Posted
Posted

Ahh, two 25 amp fuses in parallel. I don't think its going to run a sawzall, unless it's very small. My Makita has a 10 or 12 amp motor in it.

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted
Well, am running a black and decker inverter. Here is the B&D's webpage:

 

http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductGuide...ProductID=17928

 

 

These are the technical specs on it:

 

Max Continuous Power - 400 W

Surge Capacity (Peak Power) - 800 W

Input Voltage - 12.8 V

Output Voltage - 115 V

Fuse - 25 Amp x2 Amps

Output Wave Form - Modified Sine Wave

Powers Up To - 3.48 Amps

 

 

I'm thinking of running my laptop and printer from it. I will also use it to run a reciprocating saw and charge my cordless tool batteries. The manual noted that I had to connect it to the battery with the clips or hard wire it if I plan to use more than 80 watts. I don't want to risk damaging the electrical on my Silverado, so I was planning on hard wiring it. Let me know what you guys think.

 

It will run the laptop, printer and chargers with no problem. I've used mine for the very same purpose many times. Don't know about running a saw though. Depends on the load.

TexasAl Enthusiast

TexasAl

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Well, am running a black and decker inverter. Here is the B&D's webpage:

 

http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductGuide...ProductID=17928

 

 

These are the technical specs on it:

 

Max Continuous Power - 400 W

Surge Capacity (Peak Power) - 800 W

Input Voltage - 12.8 V

Output Voltage - 115 V

Fuse - 25 Amp x2 Amps

Output Wave Form - Modified Sine Wave

Powers Up To - 3.48 Amps

 

 

I'm thinking of running my laptop and printer from it. I will also use it to run a reciprocating saw and charge my cordless tool batteries. The manual noted that I had to connect it to the battery with the clips or hard wire it if I plan to use more than 80 watts. I don't want to risk damaging the electrical on my Silverado, so I was planning on hard wiring it. Let me know what you guys think.

 

It will run the laptop, printer and chargers with no problem. I've used mine for the very same purpose many times. Don't know about running a saw though. Depends on the load.

 

 

 

OK, so I might be able to run it off the accessory plug in the truck. Let me ask you guys this. What would happen if the load it too much for the wiring? Would the fuse blow, or would it fry the wiring?

Another option I have it to install the inverter next to the battery, and run a short extension cord into the cab. Only concern with that is the heat in the engine compartment. The inverter has a bunch of electronic circuits, and I doubt it would survive in there very long.

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted
OK, so I might be able to run it off the accessory plug in the truck. Let me ask you guys this. What would happen if the load it too much for the wiring? Would the fuse blow, or would it fry the wiring?

Another option I have it to install the inverter next to the battery, and run a short extension cord into the cab. Only concern with that is the heat in the engine compartment. The inverter has a bunch of electronic circuits, and I doubt it would survive in there very long.

Mine has run off of the lighter circuit the whole time. If there was ever any overloading situation, the lighter fuse would just blow. Not a terrible big deal.

TexasAl Enthusiast

TexasAl

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Awesome! Thanks Jim. This makes me feel better about running the inverter from my lighter plug. Have a great day!

2COR517 Enthusiast

2COR517

Posted
Posted
OK, so I might be able to run it off the accessory plug in the truck. Let me ask you guys this. What would happen if the load it too much for the wiring? Would the fuse blow, or would it fry the wiring?

Another option I have it to install the inverter next to the battery, and run a short extension cord into the cab. Only concern with that is the heat in the engine compartment. The inverter has a bunch of electronic circuits, and I doubt it would survive in there very long.

Mine has run off of the lighter circuit the whole time. If there was ever any overloading situation, the lighter fuse would just blow. Not a terrible big deal.

 

 

 

+1. The cig lighter usually has a 20-30 amp fuse. This will protect the truck wiring. Good idea to try the plug first. This will allow you to see if you like the unit before you hardwire it.

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted
Awesome! Thanks Jim. This makes me feel better about running the inverter from my lighter plug. Have a great day!

I was worried about the same thing when I originally bought mine. It also came with wiring to attach it to the battery... but so far I haven't needed it.

 

Good luck.

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