Power Inverter Switch

**ironic** · 12-12-2005, 03:36 PM

Ok guys!

i got a 300w power inverter in front of me and i want to have a switch on my dashboard to switch it on/off from there.

i want to go the easy way and just "replace" the switch the inverter has with mine on the dashboard.

i dont know what they are called but the switch is the same as you wud get on a psu. Press button on the " - " side, it turns on.press the opposite side, on the "o" and its off.

at the back off the switch, inside the inverter, i can read the following:

CQC
6A 250V AC
10A 125V AC

does this tell u guys anything?

btw its got 3 connections but only 2 are being used, both of them are black so i cant tell which is RED and which is BLACK or positive or negative.

wires connected to the switch arent thick, more like fan wires, so i dont think much current passes through there but im no expert in electricity.

please give me some advice.any "special" switch i need for my dash?cables? etc...

i dont want to use relays adn all that, as ive been searching and i think its too much for me, i get confused.

please help, thanks in advance!

**Wamphyri** · 12-12-2005, 04:01 PM

The best and safest solution would be to use a relay. I know you said you don't want to use one but it appears that switch is after the DC is converted to AC. At that amperage you don't want to remote that switch up to the front and risk knicking the wires. Get a DC automotive switch, an automotive relay (DC 25 AMP) and a fuse. Place the switch up front and wire it to the relay in the back. Take the fused Vcc and run it to the relay and then from the relay to the Vcc in on the inverter. Leave the switch on the inverter always on. Done.

I could give you the RadioShack part numbers if you have one in Europe.

(BTW both of the wires on the switch are black because it is AC)

**ironic** · 12-12-2005, 04:06 PM

thanks dude for quick reply.

however i dont know wot a relay is, wot is vcc?? lol im sorry!

u seem to know wot ur on about but its hard for me to kinda grasp it.

could you be more detailed please? thanks

oh and how much do all those parts gonna cost me? thanks!!

**Wamphyri** · 12-12-2005, 04:22 PM

LOL. sorry. Vcc means the +12DC from the battery.

The switch is $3.99 USD. Here is a link FYI:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=family

The relay is $6.29 USD. Here is a link FYI:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...tId=2062477&cp

Check the diagram on post #21 in this thread:

Schematics/Pin Outs/Diagrams

(Instead of ACC/IGN just wire in your switch and your all set)

Thats all I can give ya. Good luck.

**ironic** · 12-12-2005, 04:42 PM

thanks a mil bro!

correct me if im wrong.

if i do this relay job on the inverter, when i push the on button on my 25A switch it will power up the inverter AND the pc IF i set the POWER ON AFTER POWER LOSS setting in the pc's bios???

If this is so, this is pretty handy isnt it??

**Wamphyri** · 12-12-2005, 07:17 PM

You really need to think about buying a SDC (shutdown controller) to handle your startup and shutdown of your PC. I recommend the one from the mp3car store.

http://www.mp3car.com/store/product_...products_id=65

This will protect your motherboard and your amps from crank and pop/thump.

Read a little about it on the forums and you might agree.

Cheers.

**ironic** · 12-13-2005, 06:55 AM

yes but i want to keep costs to a minimum.also this being my first carpc i would like to go from 'less to more', u know wot i mean?

i wanna go bit by bit, i want to create a cheap/simple carpc, see how it goes, and then move on by upgrading or creating a new, more sofisticated carpc.

thanks for ur help. i think i have one of them sdtp around from a previous radio or summin.

thanks again for ur help. ur a star!