Thread: New idea with an invertor, help, no ssdc needed, but buttons

Go get a cole hersey 24117 relay from any parts place. It's a constant duty relay and is rated at 65 amps and can handle up to a 4 gauge wire easily (maybe more, never tried, mine's 4 gauge). You can control this from a switch on the dash and shut down absolutely everything. Set your pc for "start on power" (or whatever it is) in the bios. You will need another switch on the dash to shut down the pc before the inverter (computers don't like the power just disappearing while the OS is running).

Better yet, one button on the dash to turn the PC on and off, and wire the CH24117 relay to Acc power. That way the inverter goes on and off with the key and the pc when you chose by the switch.
Here's a setup I'm using (a little different now, but you get the idea). If nothing else, it should get you started if you want to use an inverter and no ssc (I'm using a DSSC soon):


I really would recommend a ssc though. I thought I wouldn't want one either until I incorporated one. I can't live without it now (but I still have a switch to turn it off if I want).

Good luck

BJ

Thanks for the help, still got a few dilemmas though, you seem to of had ideas like me, and not wanting a ssc, but what made you want one or need one?

My needs are kind of when i want the system i'd like to be able to turn it on, not for it to come up when i turn the car on. I'm also probably going to use it for music and some vids when the car is turned off as i'm a student, with alot of free time between lectures so its usually me going to my car.

So this leads to my other dilemma of the battery not lasting too long, but i cant afford any low power systems or the 250W opus power supply i would love, is there really a big difference between using an inverter and the 250W opus power supply? What kind of lengths would i be able to leave the battery on without the alt charging it?

Sorry going a bit off my original topic there but its just got me thinking.

Well, once I started having the computer come on with the ignition and not having to push that damn button, I realized how convenient it is. Let the bloddy thing start itself!
It's also nice to turn off the key and walk away instead of sitting there with the car running. It's like this:
Park the car, press the buttton, wait for windows to shutdown, and then turning the car off. I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but after a couple times, you realize what a pita it is!

I'd put a switch in the circuit with the acc to trip the relay if I wanted to run the comp without the key in the acc position. That way it would come on with the key and also whenever you select the switch. But then, how are you going to power the headunit or amps (depending on how you go) with the key off? If you do away wioth the headunit and go right to the amps, you can get around this, but without a delay circuit you're going to get the big "thump" noise from the speakers/amps when the pc powers up (most ssc incorporate these). And how would you power the screen? Movies are pretty useless without a screen.

The inverter will kill the battery faster than the dc-dc solutions, and I understand your pain with the limited funds. I wouldn't run the system long enough to watch a movie if I were you. You're risking a no start situation from the battery.

If you're really tight on funds, I would seriously consider not doing this and sticking with the radio in the car. Or use a laptop to watch movies or play games. A touch screen alone can run anywhere from 200-700 bucks! Now throw in the rest of the system and you can be over a thou in a heartbeat!
At least you can use a laptop to do homework.

Good luck

BJ

All im doing is running 2 switches to my dash. One for the inverter and one for the PC. This is my first build and if im not happy with this set-up there are always other options. Nothing wrong at all with experimenting.

Originally Posted by lexdiamond20

All im doing is running 2 switches to my dash. One for the inverter and one for the PC. This is my first build and if im not happy with this set-up there are always other options. Nothing wrong at all with experimenting.

This has been done many times before also.
Absolutely nothing wrong with "experimenting".
Never said there was, the only thing is, you end up spending more money in the end (and a heck of alot more hassle).

If you sit down and plan it out after researching the subject thoroughly, the result is a system that you are satisfied with (ie: works properly) and spent the least amount of money to get it.

Cheers

BJ

Well greatwhite i really can't thank you enough, its given me a great insight and many ideas on how to go about with my requirements and the system.

Its also a situation that if i have to spend the money then i will, so scrapping the project won't be done so easily.

My next idea that i'm going to look into is the same system but with the opus 250W with use of the ssc, but again with an option, in the form of a button switch somehow, of "overiding/disabling" the ssc, so i can turn the engine on and off without affecting the system, and also turn the pc on and everything while the engine is off.

Will take some more thinking.

Originally Posted by MatrixPC

There is no need for a relay between the battery and the distro block.
Just one that to turn on the inverter is good enough.

you ar equite correct, the Ch relay is there for my own peace of mind. You can absolutely do without it if you want to "hack" the inverter and wire the switch to the dash.

But, I put one in to be sure all the power is cut when the key is turned off. The inverter, the amps, etc, etc.

Just my thing.......

I can't stand the thought of a dead battery. I can't have a dead battery. When I need that sucker to start, I need it to start!
When I get called out to a rescue at 0300 in the morning, my car ABSOLUTELY MUST START! It may sound dramatic, but, someone's life actually does depend on my car starting. Everytime.

SAR baby! Best job in the world!

Cheers

BJ