So I'm scratching my head on this one; I bought one of those computer theater system type setups, that work off an ac power supply, and plug into either a computer, mp3 player, ipod, etc, through a 1/4 inch jack. I use my laptop as a "jukebox" of sorts on my boat, and when I'm docked, and have shorepower running to the outlets, it works great. I have the stereo's 5 speakers strategically placed throughout the boat that gives it a really good surround sound. However, when underway, the first time I tried to use it on the water, I plugged the adapter into my power inverter, and it fried the ac power supply, as well as the master control speaker. I searched high and low for a suitable replacement ac adapter, but ultimately ended up just buying the very same setup, and junking the old one. This time, I ran a surge protector between the inverter and the power supply to the speakers, and when I turned on the inverter, it flips the surge protector immediately. I've found that if I have my car jumpstart/air compressor/inverter box on the boat, I'm able to plug the speakers' power supply straight in and have no problems until it runs down, which is after about 2 hours. What I'm wondering, is why it won't work with my inverter? It's a West Marine 400 watt inverter, and the specs on the power supply for the speakers, says it's 115v input, and 15 v output, and 1300 mA output. Do I need a bigger or smaller inverter, or what? I know it can't be due to the battery size, because last time I was out with friends off the coast by Point Loma, the emergency car charger thingy I mentioned earlier died, but I was able to put the jumper cables from it to my battery, and flipped it to "jumpstart mode", and it continued to work for about another hour before it wouldn't hold a charge. Let me know if anyone has any insight for me here, because I really feel like this is "jerry-rigging" , and I don't want to fry anything, since I've already completely gutted and redid my boat's whole electrical system, and the thought of roasting wires and/or causing a fire out on the water makes me crap my pants. Thanks!
- J
- J