powering a dc to ac inverter

Edited: 1/3/2008 12:45:16 AM by sfRider

I want to install a power inverter that powers on and off with the car, without using the switch on it or using the lighter plug. I need to plug it direcly to the car battery and I have also found the wire that is only hot when you switch the key to accessories. Would I use a relay or what?

How big is the inverter. If it something small like 500 watts you probably wouldn't need a relay, and it could be wired direct. Bigger than that I would use a relay, either way a relay could be used. But i would also make sure that there is a fuse in line.

it would be a small one. do you mean to wire it directly to the battery or to the hot wire from the ignition? I just want it to come on and off without me having to touch it

don't wire it to the battery. On most pwr. inverter's there is a white line on one of the two wires molded together. That is going to be your pos + side, the other is your neg. - side. But to be sure use a VOM on continuety and check the cig. lighter plug to find out which wire is which. The center pin on the cig. lighter is your pos. the outside is your ground.
Once you find that out you can tie it in with your ign. wire (please fuse it) so it will come on with the ignition only.

thanks. i hooked it up and it does exactly what i want it to

even being a smaller power inverter I would still reccomend duing it with a relay. A GOOD ONE! like a stinger. If you want it to power up with the ignition anyways. I have always wired them straight to the battery and never had any problems. Of course it is fused and all to prevent any damage. The battery helps filter noise is the main reasoning behind this