text: Thread: Inverter cutting out
  Posts 94	Inverter cutting out
  I have just installed my carputer, an Epia 800 with 40gb 5400 rpm drive. This is powered by a 150w inverter connected through the cigarette lighter socket. It works faultlessly for about an hour then cuts out. At this stage the inverter case is quite warm, but I wouldn't say it is too hot. Prior to installation the system worked fine in the house for hours on end, so I presume its the inverter causing the problem, but as I would guess that the system is not drawing anywhere near 150w wonder why the inverter should cut out.
  I intend to get an Opus when I can locate one or get one shipped to the UK but understand from previous posts that this could take a while, so would like to solve this.
  Posts 1,823	Check the contact between the cigarette lighter socket and the inverter plug...it may not be making good contacts.
  Otherwise your inverter maybe faulty, or have over heating problems.
  Reply With Quote 01-05-2004, 01:36 PM
  Posts 80	Not too sure why that might be happening... I just picked up a 400 watt inverter for $30 (USD) like half an hour ago to use as an interim solution. The inverter came with battery clips and a cig lighter adapter. Since the inverter is 400 watts, i'm going to hardwire it right to my battery similar to how you'd hardwire an external amp.
  Maybe you could try this? My thought would be that the wires leading into your cig lighter are not able to handle 150 watts... i could be wrong tho.
  It's worth a shot. If your inverter has battery clips, just try connecting directly to the battery and running the PC for awhile while its in your driveway or something.
  Posts 83	is this with the vehicle running? my inverters shut down when there is a voltage drop due to a low battery
  Reply With Quote 01-05-2004, 02:17 PM
  Posts 94	Wolfman - yes its with the engine running. I have about an hours journey to work and it always seems to cut out just before I get to my destination. (Guess I'll have to get a new job only 1/2 hour away - LOL)
  Ricky327 - I pondered on the contact between socket and plug. It seems to be fairly solid and surely it wouldn't last as long as 50 - 60 minutes before cutting out if it was faulty. Crosseye - no there are no battery clips, but I guess I may have to hardwire to the battery to see if that solves it. Could be the inverter is faulty and overheating but as I said in original post the inverter case does not feel too hot when it cuts out.
  Reply With Quote 01-05-2004, 02:24 PM
  Posts 1,823	Ricky327 - I pondered on the contact between socket and plug. It seems to be fairly solid and surely it wouldn't last as long as 50 - 60 minutes before cutting out if it was faulty.
  I meant there maybe some slight resistance between contacts. Heat is then generated in the socket and after a while it will fail and cause your inveter to cut out. Pulling the plug out sure let it cool down again and so your inverter can work again. Thats the main reason why the higher powered inverter need to be connected directly to the battery as this avoid any high resistances.
  Ok I should have really said does the cigarette lighter socket get hot Reply With Quote 01-05-2004, 03:03 PM
  Posts 94	Originally Posted by Ricky327
  Ok I should have really said does the cigarette lighter socket get hot
  Not sure about that - I'll check on my journey into work tomorrow
  Reply With Quote 01-05-2004, 08:39 PM
  Posts 958	if it were a wiring problem i think it would cut out much earlier. **** inverter. A 150 watt inverter I picked up at wallmart would do the same.
  Reply With Quote 01-06-2004, 04:21 PM
  The cig lighter socket is quite hot at the time it cuts out, so I may try hardwiring it to the battery. Anyway, I've decided to order an Opus so hopefully this will only be a short term problem
  Posts 958	Originally Posted by telstargb
  is it a lighted socket? Maybe it's because of its american heritage, but my Jeep's cig.lighter is damn hot all of the time because of the light.