Thread: odd inverter behavior

I have a switch on mine, and it whines too. I have no idea what causes it. If it doesn't start up, I flip it off, wait a sec, then turn it back on, and everything works.

I have a sima inverter, and it makes the beeping noise. After experimenting with mine and one of my friend's, i found that the car engine has to be running for 4-5 seconds before you can turn on the inverter from the switch, else it beeps the overload beep. I think this has to do with either the capacitors in the inverter needing to be charged up, or the fact that the car alternator needs to be running at speed to provide the current needed by the inverter. Either way, you need some sort of delay switch. You could probably buy a delay switch from some electronics supply, or do what I am doing, mount a remote switch on your front panel that sets off a relay to power on the inverter. The advantage of this is you can turn off your computer if you are not listening to it (I leave it off when i'm not in the car because there are other people who drive my car.)

Thanks for the tip guys. I'll give a try while driving.

To cure all inverter problems, switch to a DC-DC converter.

I'm gonna switch hopefully. I have 3 plugins that need to be resolved first. Once I get my other stuff in, it will be 5 plugs.

The computer shouldn't be a big problem. I do get low noise from the inverter at max volume. It's the actual inverter, nothing else causing it.

One of these days I will switch. But for now I have no choice but to use one.

The switched worked without problem while driving. Thanks.

As for a DC-DC power supply, it'd be nice but in the long run it'd end up beng a lot more work and only a little benefit for me.

I barely get any noise on my setup, with just grounds (I could probably ground them even better, really). The noise is so faint that even at high volume with no music playing, I can't hear it while the engine is running.

Ok, it sounds as if you didn't run thick enough wires for your inverter.
I have a 600watt PortaWatz, and I actually ran 4 gauge wire straight to my battery.
I know the Portawatz brand is supposed to beep when it can't draw enough electric.

I wire I ran is more than thick enough. The problem was what Arby and Crast suggested. The engine needs to be running or the inverter won't turn on reliably.

My inverter doesn't need to wait a few seconds after the engine has started -- the engine just needs to start.

My switches are working great now.

Originally posted by jshrieve:
As for a DC-DC power supply, it'd be nice but in the long run it'd end up beng a lot more work and only a little benefit for me.

How's that again? Let see, to use a DC-DC converter:

-get DC-DC (Arise, etc.)
-swap existing power supply
-connect 2 wires
-throw out inverter, say "good bye" to noise

Complicated, eh?

Benefits?
-more stable
-more efficient
-smaller
-produces less heat
-no noisy fan
-will run for hours with the car off
-will run while the car is being started
-no noise

Disadvantages?
-Uh, cost ($75)