Inverter use in your Car?

[billwill]

Going to do some traveling and need to have access to charge/run some electronics and a video camera. The SUV does not have anything like this from the factory, so I'm thinking I'll just add an after market one.

Any recommendations or tips?

 

[skrazo]

I don't have one installed in a car, but if I "were" to do it, I'd run a separate circuit directly from the battery and properly protect it against overcurrent. Those inverters can draw a "lot" of current...........could damage your factory wiring........or even start a fire. FWIW.

 

[billwill]

that's what I was looking for. Many new cars have them installed but this would go in an '04 Ford Expedition.

 

[Golphin]

I have a factory one in both vehicles I own now. Not many years ago I had one that plugged into the lighter or these days cell phone outlet and it worked fine. As far as burning up your wiring that should not happen unless you straight wire your fuse outlet or put a heavier fuse in the outlet. I would guess you have not done that so if you had a short that tried to draw to much load the fuse would blow.

 

[Faulkner]

Just determine the wattage you'll need and get the size rated to charge your gear. For typical electronic gear it shouldn't be all that much unless you plan to run a microwave or toaster . . . no more than 1,000 watts would be more than enough.

 

[old 1911 fan]

I have used inverters for 20 years. 2 pickups with pro installed after market and now one factory. Laugh if you will but after a day in the cold wet woods it's nice to come back to the truck and have a nice hot stew in the crock pot. I have converted a few!

old 1911 fan

 

[Fishinfool]

Radio Shack, among others, makes small inverters that plug into your cigarette lighter. They have common fuses in them, as well as being backed up by the cig lighters fuse, so are safe.

I have a couple, and have used them for years to charge camera, cell phone, and Walkman batteries, and run a small lap top. Heavier duty / higher watt direct wire models are available for running higher draw items, but the simple cig lighter models will work for what you are talking about.

Larry

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have used the cigarette lighter powered 400W models for over 20 years for various computer and phone charger applications. HOWEVER, during a 11 day winter power outage I was powering a 19" 3 speed box fan (to blow heat off the wood stove) after about 45 minutes it blew the fuse as expected when I checked the fuse it was good, the cigarette lighter itself was dead! That was a 1999 S-10.

2 fall seasons ago I had a short term job that involved alot of down time. It had turned unseasonably cold so I sat in the truck 45 min of the hour in the mid-day and spent quality time on the Smith & Wesson Forum. My lap-top battery has no storage capacity anymore so it was pretty much a direct drive/charge situation with a converter not much bigger than my wallet. This converter stays in my laptop case all the time now.

Back in the late 70's I had a 1000 W converter that worked very well, SORT OF! It took 12 V DC direct from the alternator and converted it to 110 V DC not AC. Some of my power tool were 110 or 120 volt AC/DC so it was fine and saved me from lugging a gas powered generator around for small jobs on the farm, but not really a back up energy source. It would run a 7 1/2 inch circular saw and 2" roto hammer, and they draw pretty high amps! Ivan

 

[LennyLames]

. . . to charge/run some electronics and a video camera.

If these devices can all charge from a USB cable, another option which is more compact and less expensive is a USB car charger which also plugs into a cigarette lighter socket.

I used to carry an inverter to charge my laptop through its 110 volt AC charger but nowadays, I use an android phone and an iPad in vehicles. Both devices can charge from a USB charger.

 

[MOONDAWG]

We got ours from Radio Shack for $49.50+tax.

It plugs into any of the 3 cigarette lighter outlets on my truck or the Spousal Units SUV. Works great!

 

[Krell1]

Some electronics will recharge with a USB connection and a lot of cars already have these USB ports. I own a Ford Escape and it has a built in 110v outlet in the back of the console. I've used it to charge my laptop while traveling.

 

[Bugkiller99]

Take a close look at the inverters with a 12 volt "cigarette" plug in vs the wattage they advertise. I've seen them have one wattage advertised, but that is only available for wired in setup. 12 plug in is much lower.

 

[Rintimtin]

I have a 1000 watt in my truck, its not stock but was there when I bought the truck used. I use it to charge my cell phone or tablet on long trips since my car charger broke. It works the pump for my air mattress to. Its convenient and under the folding back seat. Out of the way. I know when I get a new truck i will install one its that handy.

 

[model70hunter]

When I was City Manager for a Phone company we used the plug in type to keep computers up. Several times they melted the cigarette
/accessory plug and killed it but never blew the fuse.

Had one guy plug a steel cutting band saw in one, instant death to the converter.

I have used them for just what you say, computers and kid game things, no issues.

After much daily use we lost quite a few of the cigarette plugs.

 

[rwsmith]

Ours get used a LOT.......

We have several outlets in the car and they are always charging up some device.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I have used the cigarette lighter powered 400W models for over 20 years for various computer and phone charger applications. HOWEVER, during a 11 day winter power outage I was powering a 19" 3 speed box fan (to blow heat off the wood stove) after about 45 minutes it blew the fuse as expected when I checked the fuse it was good, the cigarette lighter itself was dead! That was a 1999 S-10.

2 fall seasons ago I had a short term job that involved alot of down time. It had turned unseasonably cold so I sat in the truck 45 min of the hour in the mid-day and spent quality time on the Smith & Wesson Forum. My lap-top battery has no storage capacity anymore so it was pretty much a direct drive/charge situation with a converter not much bigger than my wallet. This converter stays in my laptop case all the time now.

Back in the late 70's I had a 1000 W converter that worked very well, SORT OF! It took 12 V DC direct from the alternator and converted it to 110 V DC not AC. Some of my power tool were 110 or 120 volt AC/DC so it was fine and saved me from lugging a gas powered generator around for small jobs on the farm, but not really a back up energy source. It would run a 7 1/2 inch circular saw and 2" roto hammer, and they draw pretty high amps! Ivan

I do not allow any of those AC/DC tools into my tool boxes. I have some very good tools that perform well, just as intended by the Toolmaker, and I don't want them to undergo identity problems or worry about their proper functions.

 

[jdh]

Walmart sells a Schumacher 410 watt for about $40. It comes with a Power Port cord and a cord with clamps. The instructions tell you if you use the power port cord it will only supply 100 watts. To get the full output you have to connect direct to the battery. It charges the notebook with no problems when plugged in. If I try to charge the computer and tool batteries at the same time it has to go to the battery.

 

[da gimp]

This is a silly question I bet, but here goes.. Do these inverters draw enough power, that the vehicle's engine should be running to use them? I've never used one, nor seen anyone else use one, for small items or big, other than my wife recharging her smart phone by using the lighter......

 

[SmokeStack Lightning]

I've used this model since 2012 w/no complaints.

2, 110 outlets, USB hub for charging and another outlet for plugging in another 12v accessory.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Rally-7413-Holder-Power-Inverter/dp/B002JH7PEQ/ref=sr_1_21?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1429990737&sr=1-21&keywords=power+inverter"]Amazon.com: Rally 7413 200W Cup Holder Power Inverter with USB Port: Automotive@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41oZVshI%2B6L.@@AMEPARAM@@41oZVshI%2B6L[/ame]

Since I bought this, I've never bought an "automobile charger" for any of my mobile devices cuz this
thang eliminates the need for those.

The rubber covers over the outlets that aren't in use are handy for keeping debris out of the unit.

Fits into a cup holder.

It does have a cooling fan that some reviewers have complained about, but I don't hear it.