randomsuper

i'm installing my audio equipment and ps2 next weekend and was told i would need a power inverter. what are you guys using, what's the price, where can i get one for a good price, and how do you hook them up? if possible, i'd like something pretty small since the ones i've seen are pretty big and i want it to be hidden. thanks.

Neothin

check ebay. i got a 400w inverter comming in to run the PS2 and still have enough headroom to charge my laptop at the same time

GreenLantern

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ what he said...

or check walmart and the like...just wire it in to your fuse box....

smokeydadog

I got a 400w inverter for $40 from Advance Auto Parts. It's small and light, so I'll probably strap it under one of the front seats. Also, make sure you get a sine wave inverter and not a square wave. Some of the guys who used square wave inverters with an Xbox had issues.

TuningIsLife

If you are going to run a 400w inverter, DO NOT wire it into your fuse box. instead, tap it to your ignition harness on the accessory or ignition wire and make sure you fuse it. The 400W inverter I have came with 10 gauge wiring in it to hook up. If you try to run anything smaller and have too much of a pull, you will melt wires/fuseboxes. I have seen it from people incorrectly fusing things and believe me, it is no fun to peal up melted plastic out of carpet.

Neothin

why dont you just wire it to the battery like it wants you to *whistle*

Winter

keeping it wired to the battery can drain it over night if theres no manual off and on switch. but that is something i would do, direct connection to the battery with an off and on switch closs to my fingers for easy access.

raceronabudget

jsut the info i was looking for

TuningIsLife

^^ what Winter said. That is why I use a fused line to my Ignition wire, my car is my on off switch. cause I can't exactly play PS2 on my Avic when the car is off.

Winter

i'll be using one of these http://www.cardomain.com/item/PILPLSW15B

placing it right next to where the scion illumination light switch is at and just infront of the AUX audio plugin.

most switches are going to be rated 10-20amp at 110-125v. this basicly translates to 100-200amp at about 12v so if you go that route you don't need to worry about ratings unless you intend to install a 1,200+ watt inveter.

GreenLantern

good advice, I re-wired mine to the ignition!

liucid

wire it to the battery, but run it thru a relay triggered by the ignition. that way it's drawing current from the battery (where it won't starve your dash wiring and possible overload the circuit) but it'll still shut down when you turn the car off.

i have a 400w inverter under my driver's seat and i trigger it with my deck's remote output..