Inverter shuts down

Nate Sickler · 06-05-2003, 01:56 PM

Noobie looking for some help...
I have a TrippLite 300W inverter supplying power to a ECS k7sem with 256 MB, 10 GB HD 7200 rpm(for Windows), USB 2.0 pci Card, 300W p/s and a 60 GB 5400 rpm external USB 2.0 HD (Music). The inverter is connected through the cig lighter...

but it shuts down when the voltage in my car reads less than 13.4V (it's a Cadillac Eldorado so it has the Voltage display) I am not sure if it is that accurate, because TrippLite claims the inverter has a low voltage shutdown at 11.5V. Another problem is that I cannot run both the external HD and the computer at the same time once the inverter shuts down and the voltage goes below 14 volts, the inverter instantly shuts down...I can only run the two together when the engine and battery are cold and the voltage is above 14 V...

The Car is also supplying power to a ID-75 5.1 inch touchscreen lcd.

any suggestions

vikrampant · 06-05-2003, 05:06 PM

I have a statpower 300w but only run at 150w. Reason is that my manual specifically states you can only get 150W from the cig lighter, for the full 300w you need a direct battery connection.

-- Vikram

traitorhound · 06-05-2003, 07:08 PM

from my understanding that the manufacturer recommends that you would want to wire directly to the batter when going over a certain current is that the cig lighter assemly in cars is probably only rated at around 10-15A and when you want to draw more from that from the cig lighter the fuse will blow. that is why they want you to connect it directly to the battery

Nate Sickler · 06-09-2003, 02:31 PM

Since this inverter only has the cigerette lighter adapter, would it be feasible for me to cut that of and attach gator clips to the wires and connect the +ive to +ive battery post and -ive to the -ive batter post. if so, what gauge wire would you suggest and the inverter has a built-in 30 amp fuse, but would you suggest another fuse on the wires goin to the battery?

Nate

Telek · 06-09-2003, 06:36 PM

You'll need at least 10ga wires, you might be able to get away with 12ga but 10ga would be safest. You're also going to need to fuse the link as close to the battery as possible. Try to find an "amp install kit" you can get them pretty cheap, and usually come with all the wires, fuses, mounts, etc that you'll need to run one of these.