Power Inverter Wiring with on/off switch.

**lightningknight** · 01-22-2005, 10:09 PM

Hello everyone I'm totally new to this and need a little help. I'm getting ready to install a 400watter inverter in my truck to power my pc. I have 8 ga cable with an inline fuse holder built in. I understand how to do all of that.

What I need help with is I want an on/off switch that I can mount on my dash to completely stop all power to the unit and as all of you know 8ga wire fairly think and kinda tough to stuff up in there and not use a huge switch. I don't care about it powering up when I start the truck or shutting itself off automatically b/c I don't plan on using it alot.

I was reading about relays but I'm not sure what type I need and if its suitable for this or is it more for the automatic off and on thing? If someone could help me out and perhaps provide a simple diagram it would be very much appriciated

Thanks in advance.

**Skipjacks** · 01-22-2005, 10:25 PM

A relay is for the auto start / shut down.

Read the other thread started by me about this topic and you'll get all teh answers on that.

If you just want a switch up front you can wire any switch up to teh fron tof the car and wire it into the inverter's power switch wires, NOT the 8 gauge positive wire from teh battery.

**lightningknight** · 01-22-2005, 10:35 PM

I was under the impression that even if the power inverters switch is in the off position it would still draw a certain amount of power. If thats the case I would like to install something to shut the power off to it all together. If thats not the case and I can wire a switch to the power switch on the inverter I'll do that. I tried gaining access to those wires by removing the front plate, but the two outlets and switch is mounted on that plate and there doesn't seem to be much slack. I'm afraid to pull on it because of fear I'm going to damage the unit.

**Skipjacks** · 01-23-2005, 01:02 AM

Originally Posted by lightningknight

I was under the impression that even if the power inverters switch is in the off position it would still draw a certain amount of power. If thats the case I would like to install something to shut the power off to it all together. If thats not the case and I can wire a switch to the power switch on the inverter I'll do that. I tried gaining access to those wires by removing the front plate, but the two outlets and switch is mounted on that plate and there doesn't seem to be much slack. I'm afraid to pull on it because of fear I'm going to damage the unit.

When the inverter is off the computer is pulling ZERO power. It's completely dead.

**Fox_Mulder** · 01-23-2005, 02:33 AM

My Inverter draws a small amount of power when the switch is in the off position, so I just cut off the switch, soldered the 2 wires that connected to the switch together, then put a relay in to interupt the power source to the inverter (the positive line).