On a previous post the subject was about 12 volt inverters. One of the responses suggested that plugging your inverter into a cigerette lighter type reciever was not as efficient as it would be wired directly to the batteries. Is that true? thanks, Jack
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electrical demand?
If you plug a 100 W inverter into a cig lighter circuit, at full load, it will draw approximately 10 amps. The cig lighter plug is not the limiting factor - it's the circuit wiring and breaker that limit the safe current. In the above example, a small Tv might not draw the whole 10 amps but a larger sized inverter and load will definitely overload the circuit in which case people recommend direct connection to the battery with the appropriate high current fuses. Don
If you plug a 100 W inverter into a cig lighter circuit, at full load, it will draw approximately 10 amps. The cig lighter plug is not the limiting factor - it's the circuit wiring and breaker that limit the safe current. In the above example, a small Tv might not draw the whole 10 amps but a larger sized inverter and load will definitely overload the circuit in which case people recommend direct connection to the battery with the appropriate high current fuses. Don
Ok
Ok, Let me take it one step more. If the wire was the same, is there a lost of volts or power useing a cigerette light type plug instead of going direct to the battery? thanks again, Jack
Ok, Let me take it one step more. If the wire was the same, is there a lost of volts or power useing a cigerette light type plug instead of going direct to the battery? thanks again, Jack
The 400 watt inverter I just perused had a 12 volt plug (cigarette type) and battery post conectors. The instructions said to use the cig plug only for loads 100 watt (approx. 1 amp) or less. Use the direct battery hook up for all loads above 100 watts. The 750 watt converter did not even have a plug in type, only a diirect battery hook up. Not following these guide lines will lead to a blown fuse, if your lucky, burned up inverter wires or an ouright fire. haave a safe holliday.
Hey Boys, Check this out!
yeah, the title of my post is the answer to, "What is a rednecks famous last words?" Think I might have seen it on Jeopardy, LOL. But it also applies to this link (Inverter-R-Us) http://www.invertersrus.com/inv1250w.html Shopping around for the best price/quality, I found that site. Has other related appliance too!
yeah, the title of my post is the answer to, "What is a rednecks famous last words?" Think I might have seen it on Jeopardy, LOL. But it also applies to this link (Inverter-R-Us) http://www.invertersrus.com/inv1250w.html Shopping around for the best price/quality, I found that site. Has other related appliance too!
You might also want to look at this site,
they have a lot of info and what appear to be good prices.
they have a lot of info and what appear to be good prices.
Buyer beware
One of the many "great" responses from that Aims 1250 Watt Power Inverter. "It turns my Toyota Prius hybrid into an *extremely* efficient generator to power my house (refrigerator, TV, computer, selected lights) in case of a power outage or disaster (most likely an earthquake, since I’m in Seattle)"
One of the many "great" responses from that Aims 1250 Watt Power Inverter. "It turns my Toyota Prius hybrid into an *extremely* efficient generator to power my house (refrigerator, TV, computer, selected lights) in case of a power outage or disaster (most likely an earthquake, since I’m in Seattle)"
Yes
Jack, Yes, from personal experience. I couldn't even get my laptop to charge with the cigarette lighter adapter. I connected the inverter directly to the battery and was able to run my laptop and 20" flat screen TV with no problem. Note: keep your inverter VERY close to the batteries with the absolute minimum length of electrical cable as you can. Don't worry about the length of your AC wires from the inverter to appliances. I have less than one foot from inverter to battery on my boat. The reason is that DC power loss through copper via thicknes and length of cable is dramatic as compared with AC power loss which is negligible. Hope this helps. TM
Jack, Yes, from personal experience. I couldn't even get my laptop to charge with the cigarette lighter adapter. I connected the inverter directly to the battery and was able to run my laptop and 20" flat screen TV with no problem. Note: keep your inverter VERY close to the batteries with the absolute minimum length of electrical cable as you can. Don't worry about the length of your AC wires from the inverter to appliances. I have less than one foot from inverter to battery on my boat. The reason is that DC power loss through copper via thicknes and length of cable is dramatic as compared with AC power loss which is negligible. Hope this helps. TM
Computer specific adaptors??
Any experience with the, for example 70W iGo, auto/air adaptors specifically for computers? Still a long chareg when thru cig lighter?
Any experience with the, for example 70W iGo, auto/air adaptors specifically for computers? Still a long chareg when thru cig lighter?
iGo Juice
I use an iGo Juice to power the laptop in my navigation system. It works OK, but not as well as the AC adapter from Toshiba. The Toshiba adapter has a rated output of 15v 5a (75w). The iGo is rated 70w max output so you loose 1/3 A of charging ability. Charging with the iGo while the computer is running at high power doesn't happen quickly. I'm experimenting with the minimum power setting I need to run the navigation software to reduce the draw on the house bank. The iGo sucks 8A @ 12V so I get about 7.5 hours of full power usage per 1 hour engine run time. Cutting the average draw down to 4A would be a big help. I like to keep the total DC budget to as close to 60ah a day as that's about 1 hour engine time with my 72A alternator.
I use an iGo Juice to power the laptop in my navigation system. It works OK, but not as well as the AC adapter from Toshiba. The Toshiba adapter has a rated output of 15v 5a (75w). The iGo is rated 70w max output so you loose 1/3 A of charging ability. Charging with the iGo while the computer is running at high power doesn't happen quickly. I'm experimenting with the minimum power setting I need to run the navigation software to reduce the draw on the house bank. The iGo sucks 8A @ 12V so I get about 7.5 hours of full power usage per 1 hour engine run time. Cutting the average draw down to 4A would be a big help. I like to keep the total DC budget to as close to 60ah a day as that's about 1 hour engine time with my 72A alternator.
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