Hi,
How can I hard wire a power inverter to put in my glove compartment without plugging it in the cigarette lighter?
Thanks in advance

 

The inverter should have a connector that goes into the cig lighter. If you open up that connector, you'll find two wires (one is probably black, which is ground). Mount the inverter in your glove box first. Then, cut off the cig connector and expose the two wires. Connect the ground wire to ground, and connect the other wire to a 12v source (preferably one that turns off with the ignition). I'd connect a switch to that wire as well and put it in your dash somewhere so that you can turn the inverter on and off.

Be careful, when you have something like this, you run the risk of messing up your electrical system or running down your battery if you leave it on overnight.

 

so you have a power inverter...and i'm guessing whatever your powering up needs a lot of power...I would run the inverter Power(positive +) straight from the battery to get full power and chassis ground(-)...and route a switch to the dash...but if your a forgetful person...take the time and tap the wires behind ur cigg lighter... best and safe place...it turns on when you have it in on the on position and wen u start the car and turns off wen you turn off the car...safe...and easy.

good luck

 

I would be powering either a small dvd player or a ps2. If I connect the inverter to the wires behind the cig. lighter, would I hae any problems when I was the cig lighter to charge my cell phone?

 

One more question, When I connect the wire to the 12V source, would I need to cut any other wires? Where is a good place to get the 12V source?

 

To wire it up look into using the hot(+) to trigger a signal to a relay so you get power straight off the battery but only when the ignition is on. Mine is set up this way to power my lap top, video camera and coffee maker.( Don't ask, Don't tell why)also run a printer off of it when nessary.

The relay is the best way I found to get all the power I need without worrying about my boxes own electrical system.

 

I'm new at this. Where is this relay? What does it look like?
Thanks

 

I would suggest getting what is called a Mini Add-A-Tap. Mini is the fuse size.

They look like this:
http://www.midterminc.com/en-us/dept_91.html

You can get them at many auto parts stores.

There are several open spots in the interior fuse panel. That way you aren't drawing too much load from the cig lighter and there's no cutting involved to the OEM wiring...

 

Thanks. This way seems safe and esay.
So I would just plug the fuse in, and I get 12V through that wire?
Where should I ground the wire to?

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mobile-500-1000-...QQcmdZViewItem

That's the inverter i'm getting ready to buy. I'm going to hardwire it directly to the battery w/ 4ga cable to the terminals on the side of the inverter rather than the cig plug in.

 

Sounds like a plan, only I would make sure that I installed an on/off switch to keep it from draining the battery. And make sure to put a fuse between the inverter and battery, close to the battery, or it could end up very ugly, very fast.

 

yeah... I don't plan to hack job the install in anyway. That's why it's taking me so long to get everything together before I install it.

I'd rather do it right once, than wrong over and over.

As for the switch, I'm going to extend the wires on the inverter to the switch panel below the oven. 1 switch for the LEDs, 1 switch for the inverter, 1 switch TBD. Thx for the advice.

 

Could someone send me a link of the wires I need?
Thanks

 

wires you need for what? be a bit more specific and I'll show you the way. ;)

 

The wires and parts to hardwire it from the battery. Which fuses do I need? Wires? Switches?
Thanks

 

4 AWG cable? Holy electrons, Batman! The unit only puts out 500 Watts. Why do you need such huge cable?
You could probably get away with 8 AWG unless you plan to use all 500 watts all the time.
Check this reference page out: http://www.the12volt.com/info/recwirsz.asp

 

how does the mini add a tap have enough power to power the power inverter...?

 

Sure... I could get away with 8ga, but I could also get away with hamburger for dinner instead of steak. Sure, steak costs a little more, but it sure does taste better.

I won't likely be using the whole 500w EVER, but why not run the 4ga if it doesn't cost that much more?

 

Does the Mini Add-A-Tap supply enough power for the inverter?
If I use the Mini Add-A-Tap, do I just use the wire from the tap to the inverter then ground the other?

 

you probably aren't going to get enough power from just tapping a wire. You are more likely to blow the fuse on the circuit you tap instead.

http://cgi.ebay.com/5-Stinger-HPM-8-...QQcmdZViewItem

just go with that for power, same size for ground. Run 2 strands from the inverter to the battery. As for terminals you'll have to get ones large enough to fit over the bolts on the battery terminal and over the terminals on the inverter.

More than enough power for normal people.