Do you think a 300W power inverter will be enought to power a 13&quot; tv/vcr combo and a playstation console? Anybody running inverters in their trucks? From what I have read, I can plug it in to the 12V power under the cigarette lighter and I should be good to go. The TV really helps keep the kids occupied on long trips.<br><br>Tim

 

Your inverter will power that. I run a 27 inch TV and satellite reciever and only use about 70 watts or about 6 amps.<br><br>Hope your kits enjoy the entertainment.<br><br>Casey

 

Here's a way to take some of the guessing out of it. The formula to use is P = I*E. <br><br>Power (Watts) = Current (Amps) x Voltage (Volts).<br><br>Look at the manufacturers tag on the back of the tv, it'll have its Current requirements printed on it. Lets say it says 2A, or 2 Amps. Voltage is 110V. 2*110 = 220W. The power requirement in Watts is 220W. Do the same for the Playstation. Add up the Wattage requirements. Thats what you'll need for normal operation.<br><br>You also want to factor in some reserve capability for surge when you turn things on so the circuit breakers won't trip. Not that a tv or game will have much surge, but motorized tools etc can have significant surge loads.<br><br>I don't remember what the typical current loads a cigerette lighter circuit can handle, but you're probably good to go to for your intended use. If you need more power, most Inverter manufacturers require you to hardwire the higher capacity inverters directly to the battery using heavy guage wire. Basically, don't try and use a 3KW inverter with the cigerette lighter. <br><br>Now the second half of class (and homework):<br>Using that same formula (P=IE) for the 12V side. <br><br>300W = I * 12V<br><br>Q: Solving for I, how many Amps of current will be flowing through the cigerette lighter wiring when the inverter is operating at rated wattage?<br><br>Enjoy the trip; and don't watch tv when you're driving.

 

Nice...Very nice explanation.<br><br>I think, not positive, but the power plug below the cigarette lighter is rated higher (by fuse - 20 Amp); than the cigarette lighter. This is the plug I plan to use.<br><br><br><br>I'll take 25 Amps for $500 bulabula. <br><br>Which would mean running at maximum watts for extended periods will toast the fuse.<br><br>Thanks for the info,<br><br>Tim

 

Latitude, my son recently was testing an old air compressor (the cigarette lighter plug-in type, and blew the fuses for the cigarette lighter and aux power plug, so I know the fuses for these are both 20A fuses on the 2003's. <br><br>Bulabula, very nice explanation! Thanks for sharing that, it helps. I had forgotten the formula, and will be able to use it for calculations with the 5er.

 

I have been following this thread with great interest as I occasionally need 110v for power tools and want to install an inverter hard wired to the battery. bulabula, good explanation. I know those formula's but have not used them for donley's years.<br>My question is, can anybody recommend a good place to purchase an inverter and have it mailed to me?

 

ohm's law :

 

[quote author=Mexstan link=board=11;threadid=15548;start=0#146405 date=1054907480]<br>I have been following this thread with great interest as I occasionally need 110v for power tools and want to install an inverter hard wired to the battery. bulabula, good explanation. I know those formula's but have not used them for donley's years.<br>My question is, can anybody recommend a good place to purchase an inverter and have it mailed to me?<br>[/quote]<br><br>Mexstan, look on www.campingworld.com and you should be able to order by phone or online. They are an RV and camping accessory place, one of the largest in the U.S.

 

GrandpasRam, thanks. I checked as you suggested. WOW, their prices are unbelievably expensive!!! Then did a Google search and found other companies with prices up to 80% cheaper. Can buy a 1000w (2000w peak) full sine wave converter elsewhere for $349.

 

[quote author=Mexstan link=board=11;threadid=15548;start=0#146434 date=1054911647]<br>GrandpasRam, thanks. I checked as you suggested. WOW, their prices are unbelievably expensive!!! Then did a Google search and found other companies with prices up to 80% cheaper. Can buy a 1000w (200w peak) full sine wave converter elsewhere for $349.<br>[/quote]<br><br>Glad to help, that was just a starting place. Yes, they are high on some items, competitive on others. One does need to shop around before buying, but that is what is great about that &quot;nasty&quot; old capitalism - competition (best product for best price).

 

You're all welcome.<br><br>Mexstan, you can also look for the marine versions in places like Boat US etc... Yeah, you'll pay more, but they're probably built a little better (sealed) to withstand the marine environment.<br><br>If you're gonna buy one to use it for working, camping etc, my recommendation is to double your initial power estimates, or buy the biggest one your wallet can handle. BTW, I understand coffee pots are power hogs.<br><br>Please post pics if/when you install one. I always thought the hardest part was finding enough room to install it.

 

I bought a 400W Inverter at Walmart for like $50 or $60... I use it to power a laptop w/ GPS. It has 2 outlets on it and plugs in the cig lighter, or you can just hard wire it to the battery (like we did on the boat last night to watch the hockey game out in Lake Erie!) ;D<br><br><br>Tony<br><br>PS -- They have them everywhere. Kmart, Target, Walmart, Radio Shack, etc....

 

I bought mine from Amazon.com. Tripp-Lite 300W, $36.90 with free shipping.<br><br>My friend bought a 1000W, no name brand, from Harbor Freight for $119. It works well but has to be directly wired to the battery. He uses it to power his electric impact to change wheels for AutoCross. After seeing his I thought, what a great thing, I need one. I convinced my wife the kids could use it for the Playstation on long road trips. <br><br>Tim

 

Any time that ohm's law is applied to the sizing of inverters the result needs to be divided by a factor of .9 because most inverters are only 90% efficient. Most will handle a surge of 2 times their rated capacity for a couple of seconds before tripping off.<br><br>A 300W inverter, running at full rated output, will be drawing at least 25 amps - about the most you could ever expect a cigarette lighter plug to handle, let alone the associated circuitry with it. I'd say any application requiring more than 200 watts continuous operation should reqire the inverter wired directly to the battery.

 

Ditto Mextan. Hardwire to battery if you are using anything over 150 watts. Read the instruction manual for inverter. I purchased a 1000 watt (2000 watt surge) Xantrex inverter. Manual says to hardwire to battery #2 AWG with 150 ADC fuse, max length 5 feet. Ground #4 AWG.<br><br>That is a Positive (Red) battery cable. 8)