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Post by lotusanne on Jun 13, 2013 19:16:58 GMT
I bought the Lidl inverter on offer this week, it comes with cigarette lighter connector and crocodile clips for the battery. I would like to wire it in permanently to the leisure battery but after reading all the instructions not sure if that would be safe or not. There are a lot of safety warnings about it overheating, don't site in in direct sunlight, don't leave unattended when in use etc, connection cables getting heated under heavy loads. And its states that "the device's on/off switch does not completely disconnect it from the vehicle's power and/ or the battery. When the vehicle plug is connected power is still supplied to the device. .".. to completey disconnect device from the power supply it has to be disconnected from battery. Not sure if this is any different from the cigar lighter though, that is always live, without the ignition on. But maybe doesnt draw as much power...? Do you think it could flatten the leisure battery if I left it permanently connected? Or be a risk of fire if connected without anything plugged in to it? Would it help to fit an in-line switch between battery and device?. It has a 40A car type fuse. Would be very grateful for any advice about this
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Post by Firefox on Jun 13, 2013 19:29:17 GMT
300W at 12v draws 25A.
So if you are ever going to use it at capacity, your cigarette lighter socket wiring should be rated at 40A with say a 30A fuse. The normal 10A fuse in the lighter socket will blow. I would hardwire it on the battery (not croc clips). Rather then the upgraded cigarette lighter route.
My 1000W inverter is totally switched off by the internal switch. I can't see why the 300W one would be any different and would flatten the battery when off, but if it appears to be drawing some power when switched off then an inline switch between battery and inverter would ensure this doesn't happen.
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Post by Rubbertramp on Jun 13, 2013 19:40:26 GMT
I've wired my inverter directly to the cigar lighter connection (spade terminals) it too remains live while the ignition is switched off but I've had no drain on the battery when it is switched off. I'm sure this would be the same for your leisure battery. Mine is only a 150 watt inverter though. Not sure how a 300 would cope with the overheating issue. If you do wire it to the cigar lighter connection make sure that the connections are reversed ie negative to positive and positive to negative. This is because the cigar lighters are deliberately wired this way to create a short and thereby the heat to light your fag. Hope that makes some sense Annie. If it doesn't give me a buzz.
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Post by lotusanne on Jun 13, 2013 19:44:40 GMT
300W at 12v draws 25A. So if you are ever going to use it at capacity, your cigarette lighter socket wiring should be rated at 40A with say a 30A fuse. The normal 10A fuse in the lighter socket will blow. I would hardwire it on the battery (not croc clips). Rather then the upgraded cigarette lighter route. My 1000W inverter is totally switched off by the internal switch. I can't see why the 300W one would be any different and would flatten the battery when off, but if it appears to be drawing some power when switched off then an inline switch between battery and inverter would ensure this doesn't happen. Thanks for prompt rpely Vern. Funny you should say that about blowing fuse - I just blew the fuse in my cig lighter form overloading it!! Have replaced with 15A fuse now. BUt would prefer to hardwire new inverter into leaisure battery. Maybe it wouldn t be drawing any power if not plugged in just be ready? I guess I could test by connecting with the crocodile clips and seeing if it gets atall warm?
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Post by lotusanne on Jun 13, 2013 19:47:27 GMT
I've wired my inverter directly to the cigar lighter connection (spade terminals) it too remains live while the ignition is switched off but I've had no drain on the battery when it is switched off. I'm sure this would be the same for your leisure battery. Mine is only a 150 watt inverter though. Not sure how a 300 would cope with the overheating issue. If you do wire it to the cigar lighter connection make sure that the connections are reversed ie negative to positive and positive to negative. This is because the cigar lighters are deliberately wired this way to create a short and thereby the heat to light your fag. Hope that makes some sense Annie. If it doesn't give me a buzz. Thanls Mark, def want to connect it to leisure battery and not drain van battery. Maybe I am over- worrying... but safety is important... plus dont want to be potentially draining battery without even realising it!
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Post by lotusanne on Jun 13, 2013 21:01:27 GMT
think might post this on WC4MH too for more opinions
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Post by Rubbertramp on Jun 13, 2013 21:10:26 GMT
What? seventy five conflicting ones..........Good luck!
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Post by Firefox on Jun 13, 2013 21:16:38 GMT
I think it can get confusing there to be honest! It's good if you want to buy or sell something and get maximum exposure on that, but some of the advice I have seen is confusing at best and bullshit at worst You could hardwire it and see if it gets warm but also good is to use a voltmeter and see if the voltage drops when you connect it and what difference switch off or on makes to the volts. If you load the battery in any way, the voltage will drop and a digital multimeter will pick this up.
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Post by lotusanne on Jun 13, 2013 21:31:46 GMT
What? seventy five conflicting ones..........Good luck! Too late!! Some good ideas already - have a look!
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Post by Firefox on Jun 13, 2013 21:57:04 GMT
I don't think the inverter should use power if it is switched off. If it does, you've got a bum inverter model. Agree with DTDog that switched on (on standby) they will use power (usually 10%+ approx eg 30W). However, that's not exactly what he says and this is where things can get confusing in that he says it uses power when simply connected (and not necessarily switched on). This may be true on a bum model. To be fair he qualifies it at the start, but it's still confusing, as I know for a fact my inverter is permanently connected and uses no power when switched off (as proved by volt meter readings).
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Post by brewkit on Jun 13, 2013 22:04:59 GMT
i re-wired the fag lighter to leisure batt, got a double usb thingy to stick in there for charging kindles/phones/e-cig. rarely used the inverter, intend to hardwire it eventually, then i'll stick an inline switch in somewhere (my lass is always leaving stuff switched on )not a project i'm in any rush to do tho.
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Post by lotusanne on Jun 14, 2013 11:41:52 GMT
i re-wired the fag lighter to leisure batt, got a double usb thingy to stick in there for charging kindles/phones/e-cig. rarely used the inverter, intend to hardwire it eventually, then i'll stick an inline switch in somewhere (my lass is always leaving stuff switched on )not a project i'm in any rush to do tho. Thats a good idea too Brewkit, I was thinking at first that if I did that the satnav might run out of juice on a journey - but of course the leisure battery would be getting charged u when travelling too, duh! I am going to hardwire mine in, having been satisfied that it is not safety problem and won't drain battery, would be easier to have it wired int back so can sit at laptop with it plugged in if necessary Thanks loads for the load of yours, it was invaluable, I will keep it in van and return next time we meet - are you going to any of the meets?
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Post by lotusanne on Jun 14, 2013 11:47:37 GMT
I don't think the inverter should use power if it is switched off. If it does, you've got a bum inverter model. Agree with DTDog that switched on (on standby) they will use power (usually 10%+ approx eg 30W). However, that's not exactly what he says and this is where things can get confusing in that he says it uses power when simply connected (and not necessarily switched on). This may be true on a bum model. To be fair he qualifies it at the start, but it's still confusing, as I know for a fact my inverter is permanently connected and uses no power when switched off (as proved by volt meter readings). Yeak, Mark was correct about gettng confused, but in the end I got to the bottom of it , I think Tom has one the same, and after he looked at the manual he said it will def not use any power if not connected, and a light will come n when it is using power so I can see and also hear the fan. Did consider several options, such as second s=cig lighter - but think it will be easier to use if it is in the back. Someone said it is more efficient when run off the battery than via cig lighter.. someone else said it uses mre power when on Battery... and lots of safety warnings, which I appreciate as that was one thing I was worried about. Really plesed with allt he responses on both this frorum and the big one, people are so kind and helpful and happy to share knowledge
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Post by brewkit on Jun 14, 2013 18:24:33 GMT
there's no rush to get it back anne, will probly see you at a meet sometime, i have to fit them in around work, fishing, scooter events, etc. glad it was of use to you.
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Post by lotusanne on Jun 18, 2013 21:53:56 GMT
there's no rush to get it back anne, will probly see you at a meet sometime, i have to fit them in around work, fishing, scooter events, etc. glad it was of use to you. Thanks brewkit, it was very kind of you. I will keep it in the van, am going to the meet at Stratford, are you? :0
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Post by brewkit on Jun 19, 2013 0:03:30 GMT
probly not, have to see how the pennies stretch
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