Noobie needs help fast

Nate Sickler · 06-11-2003, 02:18 AM

1.) How do I calculate the amps that my system is drawing
WHY? Because my inverter keeps shutting down and I don't know if it is a wattage overload or not enough or too many amps? Honestly I don't have a clue why the thing shutsdown

2.) Is having a 300W p/s hooked up to a 300W inverter not good?
WHY? Again, because my inverter keeps shutting down and I want to figure this problem out.

3.) What the hell is a sproggy...everyone mentions them but I have no clue what they are

WHY? I am just curious

samc · 06-11-2003, 10:16 AM

hmmm there is a "current calculator" somewhere here. Search.
I would think you'd need a higher wattage inverter to run a 300w psu. I mean is 300 the normal or spike?

Also sproggy is that psu everyone tries to make themselves. Supposidly it works but youd have to find all the parts. I just opted to get a opus 150 watt instead.

Alphared · 06-11-2003, 10:43 AM

why would you need to run a 300W psu in the first place? Thats alot of power need to run your pc. try stepping down to 200 or 150. even if you get your setup to work your battery won't last too long.

Nate Sickler · 06-11-2003, 05:17 PM

Problem solved! Got everything working just fine! Thanks guys. I just hard wired the inverter to the battery and now it works, I think I had a dirty battery post, causing a bad connection...cleaned them up and voila it all works (and doesn't shutdown)

One quick question though...does it matter the size of the p/s? I mean doesn't it only draw the amount of wattage it needs. Since I have a 300W supply, but my computer only draws ~120W, doesn't my p/s pull ~120W from the inverter?

CrazyLittle · 06-11-2003, 07:35 PM

Theoretically your computer pulls only the amount of power that it uses. Realisitically it's pulling much more and turning it into heat inside your invertor & PSU. Invertors and power supplies are not 100% efficient.

I'd bet that you could be pulling as much as 200w at peak power pull.

osirisdon · 06-11-2003, 07:40 PM

So in other words as long as there is NO OTHER problem you'll be fine with that inverter.

Nate Sickler · 06-12-2003, 10:54 AM

I believe everything is rock solid now...but that is where I may be wrong.