portawatts!
furiousd
02-24-2002, 02:03 PM
i have a portawatts 2-outlet converter right now used for the ps2 and nomad jukebox. it's hidden in the console between the seats, but unfotunately since it plugs into the cigarette lighter, the wires look like shit. does anyone know of a good 3-prong outlet adapter to put in my car that connects directly to the battery?? thanks for any advice you can give...
higgimonster
03-12-2002, 06:30 PM
You don't need a new inverter, just a couple of parts from Radio Shack and some good planning.
Radio Shack (RS) carries an adapter that you can slide onto your current inverters plug that converts it to 2 aligator clips that can be attached to a battery directly, or chopped off and spliced into a differnt power source. (Radio Shack part 17-1527) (http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F004%5F018%5F000%5F000&product%5Fid=27%2D1527)
Use that part and find a place to hook it up, just don't forget to put a 10amp 12v fuse in the power wire (RS carries holders and fuses). You will probably need some extra wire too if you are gonna run power from there.
Some Ideas for power sources:
The wires that go to the cigarette lighter (no fuse needed for this)
The +12v jack on an amp (Note: do not hook up the ground to the amp also, this might cause a constant hiss unless you have an amazing amp)
The fuse panel (This is risky, I blew my friends AC and remote start systems because I used the wrong side of his accesory fuse. Be carefull)
Battery obviously (keep in mind that this is not switched by the ignition which means the inverter will drain the battery if it is left on when the car is off)
The best place to ground the unit (the wire that had the black clip) is on the bolt that holds your seat down. You could also ground it to the seatbelt bolt if that is easier to access.
Hope this helps. It is not difficult and it sounds like you have some stereo equipment in there already so this shouldn't take long. It is also a lot cheaper then a new inverter.
Good Luck
Radio Shack (RS) carries an adapter that you can slide onto your current inverters plug that converts it to 2 aligator clips that can be attached to a battery directly, or chopped off and spliced into a differnt power source. (Radio Shack part 17-1527) (http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F004%5F018%5F000%5F000&product%5Fid=27%2D1527)
Use that part and find a place to hook it up, just don't forget to put a 10amp 12v fuse in the power wire (RS carries holders and fuses). You will probably need some extra wire too if you are gonna run power from there.
Some Ideas for power sources:
The wires that go to the cigarette lighter (no fuse needed for this)
The +12v jack on an amp (Note: do not hook up the ground to the amp also, this might cause a constant hiss unless you have an amazing amp)
The fuse panel (This is risky, I blew my friends AC and remote start systems because I used the wrong side of his accesory fuse. Be carefull)
Battery obviously (keep in mind that this is not switched by the ignition which means the inverter will drain the battery if it is left on when the car is off)
The best place to ground the unit (the wire that had the black clip) is on the bolt that holds your seat down. You could also ground it to the seatbelt bolt if that is easier to access.
Hope this helps. It is not difficult and it sounds like you have some stereo equipment in there already so this shouldn't take long. It is also a lot cheaper then a new inverter.
Good Luck
furiousd
03-12-2002, 06:41 PM
thanks thanks thanks!
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