Switch Inverter On From Console

pastypyro · 06-09-2005, 07:50 PM

My system is up and running great now other than some software tweaking and having to switch the inverter on manually. I have a 12V hot (12 or 18 gauge) wire coming straight from the battery (+) pole to a switch and to the remote input on my amp so I can flip my amp on and off as I please. Is there a way I could use this same remote wire to run a relay to flip my inverter on and off? I was thinking about just tapping the wire before the amp and running that to a relay and grounding the other end of the coil. Would that work? Any suggestions? Thanks guys!

This is so much more rewarding than an MP3 headunit. I will get pictures up of my setup when I have access to a digital camera again as I just moved off to school.

dodgetimes2 · 06-09-2005, 07:52 PM

Simple answer, yes.

pastypyro · 06-09-2005, 07:55 PM

I'll give it a shot. Any suggestions from anyone for a specific model relay for this purpose? I would just pull the switch out of the inverter and wire it up into the inverter.

Like this? http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...5Fid=275%2D226

dodgetimes2 · 06-10-2005, 10:27 AM

Yep, that'l work.

numbers · 06-11-2005, 12:07 PM

Are you talking about opening up the inverter and changing the wires from the inverter switch to a relay? If so, you should be aware that many inverters draw a moderate amount of power even while switched off. It may not be enough to drain your battery overnight, or it just may.

pastypyro · 06-11-2005, 03:56 PM

Could you elaborate on that a little more? I have the inverter hard wired now with no problems and I just have to manually flip it on after every time I start the car, which involves opening up the hatch. I haven't had any problems leaving it wired up and flipping it on. Why and how would an inverter draw when switched off?

Stealth97 · 06-11-2005, 06:04 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by pastypyro

Could you elaborate on that a little more? I have the inverter hard wired now with no problems and I just have to manually flip it on after every time I start the car, which involves opening up the hatch. I haven't had any problems leaving it wired up and flipping it on. Why and how would an inverter draw when switched off?

I never had any problem with this. I dont have the PC in yet, but I used an inverter for my PS2. When it was off, it was off... no power drain.

odleon · 06-11-2005, 06:29 PM

i did this mod today. step 1, open up the inverter.#2, cut wire going to off (circle emblem) on the sitch. #3. wire one side of the cut wire to post 30 and the other to 87(terminal in the center of the relay, 87a, isnt used).then ground 85 and put acc + on 86.#4 run wire from 86 to a switch power source(remote wire to amp or behind head unit). and thats it. just keep the switch on the inverter on at all times and the inverter will turn on and off with the car. the good thing is that the switch is still there in case you want to turn off the inverter manually.

hope that helped.

pastypyro · 06-11-2005, 08:39 PM

Odleon: Did you use that 30 Amp relay from radio shack?

odleon · 06-11-2005, 08:42 PM

cant recall... it is a standard Bosch relay, got it free from work. the radio shack one will work fine tho...

pastypyro · 06-11-2005, 08:47 PM

I was just curious where the reference numbers you were using came from, they looked similar to the numbers on the radio shack relay. Is that a standard numbering system for relays?

odleon · 06-11-2005, 09:01 PM

yea. most spdt relays use the same numbers.

numbers · 06-11-2005, 09:17 PM

Not all inverters are like that. How it can happen is as follows: not all inverters do the logical thing of putting the switch on the main power wire. For instance, mine uses a separate circuit to control whether the inverter is outputting or not. Even with the switch off, the inverter is still getting power. I don't expect anybody to have issues. I only had trouble when I left my car sitting for about a week without driving. It still started, but it cranked noticably slower.

If your inverter is rated for more than 30 amps, and your switch does actually break the main power wire, be careful putting a 30 amp relay in place. When you crack open the inverter, it won't be hard to tell whether you have to worry about it or not.

Stealth97 · 06-11-2005, 09:20 PM

why not just use a switch? is a relay really nessesary? IF so I will pick one up from work. Im doing the same project..

pastypyro · 06-11-2005, 09:23 PM

My wiring is already ran, and I'm not sure if switching the massive power wire is a good idea. No specific reason, that's just what I've heard.