Installing a power inverter in my jeep

[miljeep]

I want to put a power inverter in my jeep. I found a black and decker 750 watt power inverter that can connect to the battery. Would it be possible to remove the clamps and use the red and black wire from jumper cables to hard wire the inverter to my battery if it is not set up to be hard wired wired already?

Here is a photo of the power inverter.

http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductImages/PC_Graphics/PHOTOS/BDK/AUTOMOTIVE/LARGE/PI750AB_1.jpg

[Nick]

i dont see why not but i would install a swich inline so it doesnt drain on the batery when you dont want it to, also what are you trying to power with it 750 watts wont run a coffee maker(anything that heats or cools takes a lot more wattage, I found out the hard way in Iraq) also it will run hot if you get close to the max wattage.

[miljeep]

I did not want to drop the money on the 1500 watt or higher. They get real pricey when you get up in the wattage.

Here are the specs. It said you can power a tv and stuff with it. I just figured it would be nice to have tucked away just incase and for like 60 bucks or so at walmart, it is a pretty cheap little addition to the jeep.

Here is from the Black and Decker site:



Converts vehicle’s 12 volt DC power into household 115 volt AC power
Dual AC & USB outlets power and/or recharge TVs & small appliances
Low battery shutdown prevents total battery drain
Electrical fault interrupter circuit
High and low voltage protection





Max Continuous Power - 750 W
Surge Capacity (Peak Power) - 1500 W
Input Voltage - 12.8 V
Output Voltage - 115 V
Fuse - 35 Amp x 3 Amps
Output Wave Form - Modified Sine Wave
Powers Up To - 6.52 Amps Amps

[trailsnail]

i dont see why not but i would install a swich inline so it doesnt drain on the batery when you dont want it to, also what are you trying to power with it 750 watts wont run a coffee maker(anything that heats or cools takes a lot more wattage, I found out the hard way in Iraq) also it will run hot if you get close to the max wattage.

I agree with Nick on both points. Anything that needs heat to work, coffee pots, hair dryers, etc, use a lot of wattage. Look at the stuff that you think you may be using with it and see what their ratings are. I have learned all about watts in Germany using transformers.

[korisu56]

Heh. transformers. I remember having the big ol' bastard right under the tv stand and all it had was two plugs. Fun stuff.

[trailsnail]

I have one that is big and it is guaranteed to blow the circuit breaker every time I plug it in.

[Rabies99]

Hey, I think I had that model in the sandbox ghetto rigged into my truck. Worked like a champ until is suffered a mortar related death.

You could just as easily take apart the harness as make a new one. Personally I'd make a new one and at least slip in an inline fuse to keep the gremlins at bay. The cheaper you are with your electrics the more likely the will fail (and as Mr. Murphy dictates... it will fail when you need it most)

[dirTJeep]

Here is a write up on ROF using the same power inverter. http://www.rubiconownersforum.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=28387 This person flush mounted the recepticles and switch, but you don't need to go that far. This is on my list of future mods.

[miljeep]

Here is a write up on ROF using the same power inverter. http://www.rubiconownersforum.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=28387 This person flush mounted the recepticles and switch, but you don't need to go that far. This is on my list of future mods.

Great write up. Thanks for the link.

[sincitycj]

I know at work we commonly hook up inverters to our service trucks by cutting of the clamps and hard wiring. We do hook up heavy duty switches, now if we can just get our mechanics to use the switches.

[jshesbol]

This is good information. I grabbed a special at Northern Tool...1000w Coleman for $39. I was wondering how to hard-wire it in my tow rig. I think that hacking up a cheap pair of pumper cables and a hefty switch might be the way to go. Thanks!