Installed a simple 375wt Power Inverter *PICS*

Rock Slide · 03-01-2007, 08:37 PM

Nothing to brag about, but thought I'd post up some pics of a 375wt Power Inverter I installed...while in all places - on vacation.

I took an idea out of member J.A.'s book and purchased a 375wt Power Inverter. It's nice b/c of its compact size and the fact that it can plug into any aux. outlet in your vehicle.

The cord attached to the unit is only 3ft long. For it to reach where I wanted to install it, meant either lengthening the cord or bring the power source closer. I did not want to see any wires, so I decided to bring the power source closer.

I bought a seperate aux. outlet for $5.00 at Walmart and installed it under the passenger's seat. (There was already a hole there, so I just purchased a bolt, lock washer and wing nut to secure it to the seat.) I simply tapped into the existing cigarette lighter (that I never use) and ran the wires under the trim and under the carpet:

375wt Power Inverter:

Aux Outlet Installed under Passenger's Seat:

Unit Installed:

I've already used it to:

-listen to a radio...w/ a 30ft extension cord attached to it to hear the sound better while grilling out.
-charge my 18vt Cordless drill while working outside on a house w/o electricity.
-charge my buddy's cell phone, b/c he forgot his car and wall charger. (Go figure.)
-hooked up a 13" TV
-Played video games
-and the list goes on.

This unit will sense when your battery is getting low on juice and emit beeps to make you aware of it. If you continue to allow the unit to operate, it will eventually shut off automatically when your battery reaches a certain point as to not drain your battery completely.

For $40, not a bad investment.

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Goin · 03-02-2007, 04:17 PM

I have the exact same unit and use it all the time to operate my computer when working out of my car. I packed it on an airplane all the way to Canada to use it out of our rental car to power a blender at a music festival. Unfortunately the blender worked for only about 20 secs. before blowing the fuse in the Ford Escape (unfortunately toyotas were not available for rent). Needless to say, I changed out every nonessential fuse to run the blender and we made Margaritas to combat the heat

Your install looks real good! Don't forget to pack extra fuses if you want mixed drinks.

**rocket** · 03-03-2007, 04:07 AM

Nice install. One of these days i need to get mine installed too.

Rock Slide · 03-03-2007, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goin

I have the exact same unit and use it all the time to operate my computer when working out of my car. I packed it on an airplane all the way to Canada to use it out of our rental car to power a blender at a music festival. Unfortunately the blender worked for only about 20 secs. before blowing the fuse in the Ford Escape (unfortunately toyotas were not available for rent). Needless to say, I changed out every nonessential fuse to run the blender and we made Margaritas to combat the heat

Your install looks real good! Don't forget to pack extra fuses if you want mixed drinks.

Cool! It's amazing what all you can use this thing for.

Great idea on the fuses. I'll go buy a handful of them today when I go to the hardware store later.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocket

Nice install. One of these days i need to get mine installed too.

Thanks. It's also nice just to have another aux outlet under the seat if need be.

firemedic · 03-05-2007, 06:08 PM

You might consider running fused cable from the battery, as you proablyy will not be able to get all the potential out of that inverter running it on the cigarette lighter circuit (which is probably only 10A). If you are blowing the cigarette lighter fuse, it is because the circuit is overloaded and it is cutting the power before you burn up the tiny wires, and possibly your vehicle. You should use thicker gauge wire with a fuse a couple inches from the battery. Do a google on "wire gauge chart" (or similar) and you can find charts which say what gauge wire you should use for your power needs.

325 watts at 14vDC is 23 amps, most inverters claim double their wattage for surge loads which would make a peak of 46A load on the puny stock wiring. They really shouldn't even have a cigarette lighter plug on the inverter...

Nice neat install, though. I did a very similar install, under the driver seat of my LX450, ran new cable/fuses, w/an 850/1700w inverter. It's out of the way, but easily accessible.

Rock Slide · 03-08-2007, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firemedic

You might consider running fused cable from the battery, as you proablyy will not be able to get all the potential out of that inverter running it on the cigarette lighter circuit (which is probably only 10A). If you are blowing the cigarette lighter fuse, it is because the circuit is overloaded and it is cutting the power before you burn up the tiny wires, and possibly your vehicle. You should use thicker gauge wire with a fuse a couple inches from the battery. Do a google on "wire gauge chart" (or similar) and you can find charts which say what gauge wire you should use for your power needs.

325 watts at 14vDC is 23 amps, most inverters claim double their wattage for surge loads which would make a peak of 46A load on the puny stock wiring. They really shouldn't even have a cigarette lighter plug on the inverter...

Nice neat install, though. I did a very similar install, under the driver seat of my LX450, ran new cable/fuses, w/an 850/1700w inverter. It's out of the way, but easily accessible.

I have not blown any fuses yet, (knock on wood), but running bigger cables straight to the battery w/ inline fuses isn't a bad idea. I'll definitely look into that.

I would've preferred a larger inverter, but w/ an amp going in under my driver's seat for my radio and the rear heater fan located under the passenger's seat, I'm limited for space.

Great suggestions though, thanks.

stormin94 · 03-04-2008, 02:20 PM

Alright, I'm looking into doing one of these as well. I want to mount a 400/800peak power inverter in the BACK of my 4Runner, because there is already an amp under the passenger seat, and because I want it in the back. I'm looking at mounting it in those little compartments in the rear of my 2nd gen 4Runner. I'm also looking at adding a 12V out let back there. Has any one done this in the back? I'm looking to do the direct wire, to the battery, but I'm wondering what size wires I need, and how many amp fuse, and whether I can just ground to the frame in the rear, rather than run two separate cables all the way back. Thanks

BTW, nice install.

stormin94 · 03-04-2008, 05:24 PM

Bump for some help...

stormin94 · 03-04-2008, 06:38 PM

4Crawler · 03-04-2008, 08:21 PM

I did that about 10 years ago in my 1st gen:
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...werPoint.shtml

As far as wire size, look up the current and distance the wires will carry that current:
- http://www.affordable-solar.com/wire.charts.htm

And for amps, take the inverter watts and divide by 12, so 800 peaks watts = 66 peak amps more or less, or for the 400 watt continuous rating, 33 amps.

03-03-2007, 04:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
rocket Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,527	Nice install. One of these days i need to get mine installed too. __________________ '96-'02 gone: '92

03-05-2007, 06:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
firemedic Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Camas, WA USA Posts: 545	You might consider running fused cable from the battery, as you proablyy will not be able to get all the potential out of that inverter running it on the cigarette lighter circuit (which is probably only 10A). If you are blowing the cigarette lighter fuse, it is because the circuit is overloaded and it is cutting the power before you burn up the tiny wires, and possibly your vehicle. You should use thicker gauge wire with a fuse a couple inches from the battery. Do a google on "wire gauge chart" (or similar) and you can find charts which say what gauge wire you should use for your power needs. 325 watts at 14vDC is 23 amps, most inverters claim double their wattage for surge loads which would make a peak of 46A load on the puny stock wiring. They really shouldn't even have a cigarette lighter plug on the inverter... Nice neat install, though. I did a very similar install, under the driver seat of my LX450, ran new cable/fuses, w/an 850/1700w inverter. It's out of the way, but easily accessible. __________________ Ben Silva 96 Lexus LX450, 125k, front/rear OEM diff locks, CDL switch, Pin 7 mod, power points, wired 850w inverter, jdm "oh crap" bar, OME heavy (850/863) lift, 285/75/16 Cooper STT, spare tire lift mod 98 Lexus LX470, 135k, Britax car seat ;) TLCA member #14300 Camas, WA USA Last edited by firemedic; 03-05-2007 at 06:11 PM.

03-04-2008, 02:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
stormin94 Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Lake County, CA/Sacramento Posts: 3,520	Alright, I'm looking into doing one of these as well. I want to mount a 400/800peak power inverter in the BACK of my 4Runner, because there is already an amp under the passenger seat, and because I want it in the back. I'm looking at mounting it in those little compartments in the rear of my 2nd gen 4Runner. I'm also looking at adding a 12V out let back there. Has any one done this in the back? I'm looking to do the direct wire, to the battery, but I'm wondering what size wires I need, and how many amp fuse, and whether I can just ground to the frame in the rear, rather than run two separate cables all the way back. Thanks BTW, nice install. __________________ 1994 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4X4 213,000 miles and counting 3.0 V6, 5 speed 10/15 MPG city/hwy(with 33's) Current Mods Headers, 2.5" Flowmaster custom exhaust, K&N FIPK KC Daylighter 100 Watt lights Ranchos x4, 2" Lift Downey coils 33-12.50 M/T's, 1" t-bar lift, 1" body lift Tow pkg w/ lighthookups Silverstar Headlights, Pioneer Deck w/XM Brushguard 250Watt JLAudio 8" W3 Sub Future Mods 12V Aux outlet-400/800peak inverter roof basket/lights Air locker 4.88 gears H.O. Alternator

03-04-2008, 05:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
stormin94 Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Lake County, CA/Sacramento Posts: 3,520	Bump for some help... __________________ 1994 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4X4 213,000 miles and counting 3.0 V6, 5 speed 10/15 MPG city/hwy(with 33's) Current Mods Headers, 2.5" Flowmaster custom exhaust, K&N FIPK KC Daylighter 100 Watt lights Ranchos x4, 2" Lift Downey coils 33-12.50 M/T's, 1" t-bar lift, 1" body lift Tow pkg w/ lighthookups Silverstar Headlights, Pioneer Deck w/XM Brushguard 250Watt JLAudio 8" W3 Sub Future Mods 12V Aux outlet-400/800peak inverter roof basket/lights Air locker 4.88 gears H.O. Alternator

03-04-2008, 06:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
stormin94 Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Lake County, CA/Sacramento Posts: 3,520	__________________ 1994 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4X4 213,000 miles and counting 3.0 V6, 5 speed 10/15 MPG city/hwy(with 33's) Current Mods Headers, 2.5" Flowmaster custom exhaust, K&N FIPK KC Daylighter 100 Watt lights Ranchos x4, 2" Lift Downey coils 33-12.50 M/T's, 1" t-bar lift, 1" body lift Tow pkg w/ lighthookups Silverstar Headlights, Pioneer Deck w/XM Brushguard 250Watt JLAudio 8" W3 Sub Future Mods 12V Aux outlet-400/800peak inverter roof basket/lights Air locker 4.88 gears H.O. Alternator

03-02-2007, 04:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Goin Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Christiansburg, VA Posts: 141	I have the exact same unit and use it all the time to operate my computer when working out of my car. I packed it on an airplane all the way to Canada to use it out of our rental car to power a blender at a music festival. Unfortunately the blender worked for only about 20 secs. before blowing the fuse in the Ford Escape (unfortunately toyotas were not available for rent). Needless to say, I changed out every nonessential fuse to run the blender and we made Margaritas to combat the heat Your install looks real good! Don't forget to pack extra fuses if you want mixed drinks.

03-04-2008, 08:21 PM	#10 (permalink)
4Crawler Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 7,828	I did that about 10 years ago in my 1st gen: http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...werPoint.shtml As far as wire size, look up the current and distance the wires will carry that current: - http://www.affordable-solar.com/wire.charts.htm And for amps, take the inverter watts and divide by 12, so 800 peaks watts = 66 peak amps more or less, or for the 400 watt continuous rating, 33 amps. __________________ 1985 Toyota 4Runner SR-5, 22REC engine, dual t-cases, 4.88 gears, dual ARBs, 33x10.50 BFGs or 35x12.50 MTRs r.c.brown@ieee.org TruckEditor@tlca.org Project: 4Crawler 4Crawler OffRoad Gettin'Off 4WD Club

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