Good point. So I just checked and my inverter has a 40amp fuse. So I imagine a 40amp inline fuse would work for me.

1. Is there any way to get the 10 guage wire connected to switched 12v as opposed to being constant? I'd hate to forget to power off the inverter and come back hours later to a dead battery.

2. Are there any empty fuse slots in the fuse box to which I could run the 10 guage wire from the inverter?

3. How thick is the stock 12v line from the battery to the fuse box? If I run the 10 guage as described in #2 above, will I be fine running that new circuit to the fuse box instead of the battery?

Thanks,
B

 

Thanks, I think I want to have the option for higher current if possible. I'm not even sure I'd ever need it, but if the inverter supports higher amperage than the cig ligher circuit can handle, I'd like to wire it so that the option's always there...

 

With a 40 amp fuse on the inverter, you should wire it to the battery. If you want it to be switched, you can connect a heavy duty relay rated at 40 amps or more to a switched source.

 

I'm not 100% clear on how the relay functions. Can you elaborate?

Thanks,
B

 

Why not just get a PS2 cigerette lighter plug. That's what I did.

 

All a relay does is become a remote switch. You need a single pole single throw relay that is normally open. The two switchable contacts are connected to the power line from the battery to the inverter. The two coil connectors are connected to any key-switched power wire (cigarette lighter wire for instance) to turn the relay (switch) on and off when you turn the car on and off.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relay and http://www.partsexpress.com/resources/relays.html

Here is one place to get one, with a harness if you want. http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=330-073

 

Thanks man. This sounds like the way to go. I'll read up and let you guys know if I have any issues or further questions about the relay.

Well, actually two quick questions. Can I install the relay in my fuse box? If not, where can I install it?

-B

 

I'm just not a big fan of having wiring laying across my car. I like things to be "behind-the-scenes" so everything's nice and clean. Just my personal preference...

 

You can mount the relay wherever you find room.

 

One of my buds at work said there should be a switched 12v terminal right at the fuse box and that it would be simpler to use that rather than a relay. Do we have such a terminal in our fuse box?

 

There are a lot of switched terminals at the fuse box, but none that are 40 amps.

 

I see....are there any empty terminals where I could put in my own 40a fuse? Or should I just run the relay of one of the constant terminals and call it a day? BTW, do you guys think the terminals in the fuse box or direct-off-the-battery is the better route to go?

Also, I've been searching and can't seem to find any 40 amp toggle/rocker switches. The one I already bought is rated at 30 amps. If I can't find a 40 amp switch, I imagine I should put a 30 amp fuse in the circuit I run...but I guess the downside is I will have to sacrifice some power to the inverter?

If that's the case, and I'm running a 30 amp fused circuit to my inverter. How much power will I sacrifice?

Thanks,
Brian

 

You have discovered the value of a relay. It's difficult to find a switch to handle that much current. The 30 amp switch will get hot too.

It it were me, I'd run straight to the battery with a relay as a switch.

 

40 amps is quite a bit. Honestly you don't need that big of an invertor to run a ps2. I think the one I've been using since 2003 has a 20amp fuse on it, maybe 150w. You definitely want to run that off of the battery. If you want a good tutorial on relays go to the12volt.com

 

Okay so all this talk of my inverter being almost too much for my intended use has me second-guessing whether it's the right one for me. So now I'm thinking of getting this one instead:

http://www.directdepot.net/product_i...oducts_id=1713

From the research I've done it seems that the 350w inverter might be a bit noisy, not to mention the hassle it may be to get it wired up properly with the higher amperage switches, etc.

So what do you guys think of the inverter on that link instead? It's good for 200w continuous and has a 25 amp fuse. This would work fine with my existing 30 amp rocker switch and I assume I could get a 25 amp relay too.

Thanks,
B