Put together an inverter (free)...How do I ground it?

**nobb** · 06-24-2006, 12:49 PM

Hi
Ok I just got a free inverter. However, it was a big mess with no case and just a circuit board with wires hanging from it. I managed to get it all working and, except for the ground for the AC plug. The ground terminal has a green wire hanging from it, and the wire is not connected to anything (I'm guessing it must have been taken apart). However, I'm 100% sure that this wire was connected to something previously. So what should I do? I'm planning on using this inverter to power a subwoofer and a computer (carputer). The computer will obviously have a ground plug, so is it safe to just plug it in anyways ungrounded? Would it also be ok to connect the ground to neutral since power ditribution networks have neutral and ground connected? Advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

**Jahntassa** · 06-25-2006, 01:34 AM

What kind of subwoofer are you planning on powering? Just curious.

More than likely the ground would go to the inverter case.

**nobb** · 06-25-2006, 11:50 PM

I have a Energy S8.3 home theatre sub that I would like to power. That is my current home theatre sub, but I want to upgrade my home theatre with a better sub. I cannot ground to the case of my inverter because, like I said before, I put the inverter together myself. I basically mounted the circuit board to pieces of wood that I cut with a saw. Ive already tried to run this sub by hooking up the inverter to a computer power supply, and the sub seems to have no problem with the modified sine wave output.

**DarquePervert** · 06-26-2006, 07:23 AM

1) A subwoofer for a home theater isn't a wise choice for the car. I recommend getting one designed for a vehicle environment.
2) Ground the inverter to the chassis with wire that's the same AWG as the power input line or larger. Make sure it's a solid connection to bare metal.

**nobb** · 06-26-2006, 06:28 PM

Thanks for your reply. Why exactly is a home theatre sub not good for a car environment? I already tried powering the sub with the inverter and I've verified that the sub works fine on a modified sine wave input. Also, I want to upgrade my home theatre with a bigger, better sub, so therefore I figured I might as well do something with my existing sub. Also, just to be sure, when you say I should ground the inverter, to the chassis, you also mean I should connect the ground from the AC output from the inverter to the chassis right?

**parksgm** · 06-27-2006, 12:30 AM

Originally Posted by nobb

Why exactly is a home theatre sub not good for a car environment?

In short, becuase it is designed to sound best in a large room, not the small cabin of a car. Note the italics. Every post answering your question that follows will be some variation on that theme, just rephrased in the form of incomprehensible speaker design specs, anecdotes, or personal attacks on your hearing ability.

So, a word warning...if you attempt to argue that your home theater sub is "as good as" a dedicated car sub (or make any similar statement) you will invite all sorts of vigorous attack and debate that will question how your intelligence, education, and upbringing could ever allow you to make such a blasphemous statement. Just so you know.

But....despite what your fellow forum members will say, if the finished product works well with your inverter, and sounds good to you, then use it and be happy. Just don't expect others to congratulate you (at least not here. You could always try cheap.but.crafty.carsub.solutions.net, or something similar).

Disclaimer:
I used a home sub in my car for years, and was perfectly happy...and it was a Radioshack home sub at that! Oh, the horror! Now, before anyone attempts to prove that my ears must be made of rock, I should say that I was in much the same situation as our thread starter here...free, extra home theater sub, not much extra cash, and a desire for more bass in my car.

**MatrixPC** · 06-27-2006, 12:14 PM

There is nothing wrong with using home sub/speakers in the car.
If it works in your environment (car) and sound good to you, **** what everyone else saying. It's better than nothing. It may not be the best or normal way of doing thing (home/pc speakers in the car), but what we are doing in this hobby is not a normal way either (a ******* home PC in the car).

I was using home speakers in the past and no one has any comment or knowing what type of speakers they are.

**DarquePervert** · 06-27-2006, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by MatrixPC

I was using home speakers in the past and no one has any comment or knowing what type of speakers they are.

Yeah, but we know and will make fun of you for it....

I jest of course.

I never said not to use it or that it wouldn't work or that it wouldn't sound decent. I just wouldn't recommend it.

**parksgm** · 06-28-2006, 12:42 AM

Originally Posted by MatrixPC

**** what everyone else saying.

Yeah, and ***** the MAN, and the GOVERNMENT, and the ESTABLISHMENT too, while we're *****ING things!

Sheesh. What language, Matrix.

**nobb** · 06-28-2006, 11:07 AM

Wow...sorry for starting an argument here. I was only trying to ask how to ground my inverter. I am NOT trying to argue as to whether my home theatre sub will be as good as a car sub, nor am I trying to get others to congratulate me.