Where to put the Inverter?

**MarkW** · 05-28-2005, 01:30 PM

I'm planning out a setup right now. I want a Xantrex Prosine 1800 or Xantrex Prowatt 1750 inverter. Before I buy one of them, I'm trying to think of places where I could put it. The car I'm going to put them in is a 2001 Dodge Caravan, with both of the back seats being bench seats.

I know places it would be physically possible to put them, but I want to put it some place safe, with enough ventilation and so on. Xantrex says they need 5" of clerance around it. Could I safely put it on the roof? Or is the 5" number just over-estimated for safety, and I could get away with putting it somewhere more convienent, but still be safe?

Thanks

**anik321** · 05-28-2005, 02:46 PM

a Xantrex Prosine 1800 ? does that not cost more than $6-700? As far as I remember it does cost that much because its a 'true' sine wave inverter. Couldnt you just get an Opus ?

If you get a pseudo sine wave inverter (hardly more than 50-70 bucks), you will definitely get noise through the AUX input of your headunit (assuming thats the setup you have in mind) so take that into account.

I installed my inverter on the back of the rear seats. Because my rear seats can fold down, I have access to the outlets even from the interior of the car.
but the fan on my 'cheap' inverter makes a lot of noise which I can even hear when the rear seats are up.

just my 2c.

**MarkW** · 05-28-2005, 02:48 PM

Yes, I am aware that the cheap ones are garbage. I've had one of them start belching out white smoke while I was driving, and another kill a laptop. This time, I'm going to buy one that doesn't suck.

It's fine on the seats? It doesn't get too hot?

**anik321** · 05-28-2005, 02:53 PM

Couldnt you just get an opus to run your carputer ? it seems a lot cleaner and cheaper.

But yeah mines fine on the seats, no problems so far.

**MarkW** · 05-28-2005, 03:02 PM

Hrm, I hadn't looked into DC-DC things yet. I will check it out a bit more now. I wanted an inverter since I also wanted to run more things than just the computer (Screens, DVD player, Game System, outlets).

**Bugbyte** · 05-28-2005, 03:08 PM

Check out the "FAQ Emporium" on this board. There is a sticky on powering your computer. Oh hell, here's the link.

A DC-DC power supply can run at least one screen and your carputer will do the DVD's, so it's not a bad choice.