what exactly are you using the inverter to power?

never understood why people wanted to use them and deal with all of the potential noise problems that can arise.


but i would use a 4 gauge wire. 2 gauge is a bit tough to get through, but definitely possible.

 

Nothing specific, probably things like a laptop, cell phone charger or other random little things. Might possibly connect my studio lights, that'd probably be the max (but I don't think they'll max out the inverter either).
If I turn off the inverter using their supplied switch, will that cut any noise possibilities? Or do I need to cut off power before that?
Would an 8AWG wire be ok, or would it be best to stick with a 4? (Not sure why I said 2AWG before, that's a bit big for this...)

 

if you do plan on going to 400 watts a couple things:

1. use 4 gauge wire(i dont know gauge to power ratings off the top of my head, but there are charts all over the net)
2. do not put it under the seat. 400watts generates a substantial amount of heat, and it will overheat and shut down if it doesnt have enough air around it
3. supplied switch should kill the noise if you get any.


most of the things you are talking about hooking up to it can just be plugged into the cig lighter though, which is what i would do. then just run the inverter and studio lights directly off the battery(run cables underneath the engine bay or with hood on or something) if you ever need to, since that is more than likely going to be very seldom.

i just dont think the work involved to get this thing working is worth it if its only real use will ever be for those studio lights AND it is very possible it will induce noise in your audio system. i would just pop the hood if you needed studio lights and clamp it right to the battery.

 

You said 2 awg because I said 2 awg. I said 2 awg because americna wiring standards say 2 awg. http://www.interfacebus.com/Copper_Wire_AWG_SIze.html

75A is ALOT of freakin' power.

 

Are you sure you really need an inverter that big?

Oh, you already have it. Guess I'm a little late with that question.

 

Oops, sorry DTN, guess that's where I got that. LOL
And here I thought a 400w supply was little! I was looking at the 1000w systems, but ended up going for this one instead.
The rear seat vents are right in front of where I'm planning on putting the inverter, so I should have enough ventilation.
Also, the inverter is for the convenience of having a normal power outlet there, for whatever I end up finding to plug into it. It's not for any specific or continuous purpose, just for those few times when it'd be really nice to have it. And the times when I don't need it, I'll have it off so noise won't be a problem.
I'm not so much concerned about whether to install it or not, I'm just asking how to install it.
And again, 75amps is the peak draw, ordinary draw will be around 35amps or so. And that's maxing out the inverter, which I don't plan on doing much at all, so normal draw will hopefully be at or below 20amps.

 

Oh, another thing I forgot to mention about your first post. DC is more potent then AC. DC is direct, alternating current alternates. for a short period of time durring an AC's cycle, it has 0V and 0A, then it reverses direction and the amps/volts go back where they came from. This generates a signifficantly lower ammount of heat and overall current due to 50% duty cycle as opposed to the DC current's 100% duty cycle.

So you'd need 8 10A switches to be flipped on and off at exactally the same time for that to work. A 80A circuit breaker or a relay is a much better choice.

 

^^ Interesting, I thought DC was better because of the lower voltage, but you do have a good point. Thanks fing02.gif

 

I am going to piggy back off this post because it deals with inverters.

1. Anyone know what size the inverter is that is built into the new Santa Fe's?

2. I need an inverter for my Entourage that is capable of powering an Xbox 360. My current inverter will run a regular Xbox, but when I hook up the 360 I get no power.

 

you could probably bypass the inverter and grab a dc-dc power supply for the xbox. im sure that's what it runs off once you get into the box.