Power inverter

[Stormy]

What are some good power inverters and where have you installed them? I don't know much about them. What should I look for as far as wattage? Any help on this would be great.
Thanks!

[rhombus]

I have a 300w one that I picked up at Costco.
This level will run most of the things that you would ever need.

I have not installed it yet so just plug it in when I need it.
I know that some other have done cool installs that look very slick but I have yet to find the time.

[Stormy]

Does it plug into the lighter plug, or do you run it foo the battery? How much did it cost? I've seen everything from $30-$140 for the suckers.

[Matt Peckham]

I got me one for Xmas, it has a cable to plug into the cig lighter for up to 300W and direct to the battery for up to 400W, 800W peak.

It's annoying because it doesn't come with any mounting points, might have to dremel some into it. I would like it to be staked down somewhere, but maybe the best place is in my rear ceiling basket.

Matt

[rhombus]

On XOC I rember seeing some mods that have been done where the face plate was mounted in the center console on the passenger side and the main unit was put under the passenger seat.

I'll have a look and see if I can find the threads.

[rrdstarr]

ChuckH has done it, but when i go to look at the old thread the pics don't come up? Maybe we could ask him to post some new pics since he has a brand new camera!!!!

[ChuckH]

Sorry, it's one of the old crappy camera pictures! You can see the outlet and switch down on the side of the console. I put the main box up behind the dash to the left of the glove box and zip tied it into place. I hardwired it to the cigarrette lighter (which is totally disconnected now) and extended the wires for the plug so it would go down in the console. I was only planning on powering my portable DVD player or charge batteries and things like that, so I only have a 150 watt inverter. Much bigger won't fit in the spot where I put it. Really, under the passenger seat is a better place if you don't have anything else down there already. I have an amplifier there, so that wasn't an option.

Funny thing, I put the inverter in, but have never used it other than for testing, and it's been in there for months. I guess maybe it will come in handy someday! :o

[Toy Man]

Well - if I was purchasing one today, I would probably
get a 300w one.

That being said, I have been using a 75 watt inverter
to run my laptop for over a year with no problems.

I like the StatPower brand.

[Stormy]

Look at this. In the discription it says that it can be used with a cordless drill?! If you're using a cordless drill, how are you using the inverter?

[Stormy]

Is this a good inverter?

[Xcanuk]

I've got an inverter, but only used it for xmas lights. I find it easier to get the cig adapters for the specific units, laptop, gps etc. Generally smaller and easier to use and hide. The most I did was install a triple aux plug behind my console and added a kill switch to it.

[Stormy]

I was just looking to stick it under the passenger seat. I have a power distributer under there. I figured that I could just tap off of that and leave it for when I need it. Do they have a constant draw of power? will it kill the battery if you have it hooked up all the time? I don't think I'll need to power anything big, but you never know .

[Xcanuk]

Even some of the cheaper ones ( I think I paid around 60$Cdn for mine ) have an automatic kill to it. If it reads too much power draw, as when running the inverter while the engine is off for extended time, the unit will turn itself off.

[Stormy]

Originally posted by Xcanuk
Even some of the cheaper ones ( I think I paid around 60$Cdn for mine ) have an automatic kill to it. If it reads too much power draw, as when running the inverter while the engine is off for extended time, the unit will turn itself off.

Thanks,
I think I'll stay away from hardwiring it to the battery just to be safe and use the cig adapter for when I need it.
Thanks for all the advice...