Power Inverter
06-20-2004, 05:53 PM
#22
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Inverter frenzy
Just a word to the wise. I personaly use a 1700W inverter and have it hard wired. It's great, but I recomend installing inline circuit breakers (I have them on both + and -) . You can pick them up at most autoparts stores. I given too many lifts to peeps that smoked their wiring systems. they are the same type of circuit breakers most of you already use for your power winches.
06-20-2004, 06:37 PM
#23
Registered User
I have 2 inverters a small triplite 200watt 300 w peak inverter and the 1000 Watt/ 1200 watt surge Xantrex Power inverter from costco. I haven't mounted it up yet. I guess you need to use at least 2 guage wire if less than 5 ft or 0 guage if you are going more than 5 ft with it at a mininium according to the manual and at least a 150 amp DC circuit breaker or fuse. I guess for thier 1750 watt model they recommed a 250 amp circuit breaker.
Last edited by 934rnr; 06-20-2004 at 07:25 PM.
06-20-2004, 08:46 PM
#24
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Another thing to keep in mind is that modifed sine wave inverters will not run variable speed motors and certain electronic devices. For that you need a pure sine inverter which is more expensive.
You'll need big breakers too. If the stereo guys don't have anything big enough, you'll have to get a marine unit. I run an 80amp slow blow marine breaker for my compressor.
You'll need big breakers too. If the stereo guys don't have anything big enough, you'll have to get a marine unit. I run an 80amp slow blow marine breaker for my compressor.
06-21-2004, 04:11 AM
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Ok I think I'm going to buy this... when you hard wire these things, how big of wire should you use, how much of a pain is it (its not anymore difficult than wiring a stereo amp, right?), and can you mount the inverter in the rear fenders, just forward of the storage compartments in the 4Runners and wire a dual outlet from the inverter through the plastic sides and go that route... and how hard is that, do you get a dongle to plug into it, or open it up and hardwire the dual outlet? anyone have some experience with this?
06-21-2004, 04:43 AM
#26
Registered User
Depends on the wattage output of the inverter. At least 0 or 2 AWG ideally for a 1000 watt inverter for a smaller one you could likely get away with 4 or 6 AWG if it was run to a short distance. As far as outlets my inverter already has dual outlets most over 600 watts do already. I was thinking of mounting mine on the seat like you would a amp. Most of the inverters need air space to cool properly that why I would rather put it somewhere where there is open air space and not in a enclosed area like a panel unless you had a aux cooling fan mounted up for it.
The ultimate setup it would be reasonable to run 0/2 AWG with a 150 or 250 amp breaker and put that into to a capasitor or aux battery and a power distro fuse block so you could add additional amplifier later on.
The ultimate setup it would be reasonable to run 0/2 AWG with a 150 or 250 amp breaker and put that into to a capasitor or aux battery and a power distro fuse block so you could add additional amplifier later on.
Last edited by 934rnr; 06-21-2004 at 04:53 AM.
06-21-2004, 04:45 AM
#27
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I got one from this place. I've been running my pc and 7" lcd off of it and it works great. I plan to hardwire it soon. Best prices I've found on the net so far. (at least it was when I bought it)
Last edited by sabre; 06-21-2004 at 05:36 AM.
06-21-2004, 05:27 AM
#28
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Im looking at an 800 continuous inverter to hard wire. I will take care of keeping it cool mounted in the rear fender, but I'd like suggestions on how to relocate the outlets. If I mount the inverter in the back of the truck like I want, I won't be able to get to the outlets without wiring them to an aux dual outlet located in the side of the bed, inside truck. How to connect it is whats bothering me....
06-21-2004, 08:41 AM
#30
Installation
Matt,
It should come with some installation instructions, wire size, etc. I'm going to use whatever wire size they recommend and use a Phoenix Gold Circuit Breaker. You can find them on a google and they should run you about $40 plus shipping for a good one.
It should come with some installation instructions, wire size, etc. I'm going to use whatever wire size they recommend and use a Phoenix Gold Circuit Breaker. You can find them on a google and they should run you about $40 plus shipping for a good one.
06-21-2004, 03:52 PM
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Waskilly,
Which of these do you think you'll go with?
http://www.cardomain.com/shoplist~b~...rcuit+Breakers
I'm still curious as to why the circuit breaker is necessary. Why can't I just use the in-line fuse that comes with the inverter?
Matt
Which of these do you think you'll go with?
http://www.cardomain.com/shoplist~b~...rcuit+Breakers
I'm still curious as to why the circuit breaker is necessary. Why can't I just use the in-line fuse that comes with the inverter?
Matt
06-21-2004, 03:56 PM
#32
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I also found these if anyone is interested...
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...=263-722&DID=7
With all of the wires that I've already got running through the existing grommet in my fire wall, I am probably going to have to drill another hole and install another grommet. Especially since I'll be running 4 gauge wire to it. This looks perfect.
Matt
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...=263-722&DID=7
With all of the wires that I've already got running through the existing grommet in my fire wall, I am probably going to have to drill another hole and install another grommet. Especially since I'll be running 4 gauge wire to it. This looks perfect.
Matt
06-21-2004, 04:16 PM
#33
Circuit Breaker
I'd wait and see what size wire and fuse they recommend you use. A circuit breaker can be reset as it will trip if there is a problem, if you got a fues it blows, and then you go buy another one and fuses that big are $$$, thus you get a circuit breaker. I imagine you'll need one of the bottom three, but wait and see what size fuse and wire they recommend as the wire size will determine the fuse size for the Phoenix Gold circuit breakers. I know the 100 A are 4 gauge. The grommet is a nice find, but you can get rubber grommets all day long at Lowe's in the electrical dept for a few cents on the dollar that will work just fine, but that one is slick for sure.
06-21-2004, 04:46 PM
#34
Matt, did you see my converter write-up in the Tech section?
If you are going to hard wire it like I did mine, it's a good idea to have a seperate fuse up by the battery within 18" of it, just like you'd do for a stereo amp installation.
The power for my converter is fused at three places.
1. The unit itself has a replacable fuse.
2. The brown wire for power for it going into the stereo amps distribution block.
3. And the Phoenix Gold VB100 circuit breaker.
One can never have enough protection when working with high current and amperage.
If you are going to hard wire it like I did mine, it's a good idea to have a seperate fuse up by the battery within 18" of it, just like you'd do for a stereo amp installation.
The power for my converter is fused at three places.
1. The unit itself has a replacable fuse.
2. The brown wire for power for it going into the stereo amps distribution block.
3. And the Phoenix Gold VB100 circuit breaker.
One can never have enough protection when working with high current and amperage.
06-21-2004, 05:18 PM
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I have a unit that is pretty much the same as Corey's only it is labeled as a Husky (got it at Home Depot). I have mine wired just as Corey's is only, about a foot before the power wire goes into the inverter, I have the power wire go through a high-amp relay that only lets the inverter draw power when the rig is running. I don't like dead batteries!
06-21-2004, 06:24 PM
#37
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Originally Posted by LSUMatt1514
914Runner,
Got a brand name and part number for that relay? Where'd you pick it up? Later.
Matt
Got a brand name and part number for that relay? Where'd you pick it up? Later.
Matt
06-21-2004, 06:29 PM
#38
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One more question. Pretty much all of the inverters that I've seen, including the Coleman 800W, have an on/off switch on the inverter. Will the inverter pull on the battery with the truck off if the switch on the inverter is in the off position?
Matt
Matt
06-21-2004, 08:53 PM
#39
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Originally Posted by LSUMatt1514
One more question. Pretty much all of the inverters that I've seen, including the Coleman 800W, have an on/off switch on the inverter. Will the inverter pull on the battery with the truck off if the switch on the inverter is in the off position?
Matt
Matt
