inverter install fuse question

[after oil]

I used a Xantrex 1750W Inverter and a 175A fuse I found at Canadian Tire. After 9 months the fuse has not blown so far. I've noticed if you are running the inverter, and you start the engine, the inverter's error light (faulty circuit light?) will come on and you need to turn the inverter on and off again.

One thing I've noticed now regarding Xantrex products. Besides the inverter, I also have a 12V Automotive Charger of theirs. On both of them the LED (or is it LCD?) displays are so faded out and dim that you can only read them at night. THis seems to me like more than co-incidence, leading me to believe Xantrex is using substandard display panels in these products. Chances are, you may end up with the same problem.

thanks for the tips. the 1000 doesnt have a LCD (liquid crystal display)

how and where is yours installed JMK?

[JMK]

I posted some pics previously here:

http://www.delica.ca/forum/12v-blender- ... tml#p21505

I didn't think to remove the carpet. However, it doesn't seem to even get warm, let alone hot.

Note: this location seems to afford the shortest cable run from battery to inverter, which is an important factor.

[after oil]

i wish i had seen how simply you installed the fuse. i fastened the fuse bus to the metal inside the air cleaner compartment. its far from the battery and it was alot of work.

[JMK]

Bummer about the work. Now your main concern is the length of cable that is between the battery terminal and the fuse, As long as you're confident it will not chaf or strangle on anything and eventually short you'll be OK. (In my case I ran the cables through a hole I drilled under the passenger seat and although I made it smooth and fashioned a makeshift grommet, it always has the potential to short at that location.) However, for peace of mind, and as it's probably more work to move the one you've already installed, you could consider going to Cambodian Tire and seeing if they have the same fuse I used, and simply adding it between your battery and your existing cable. I think it cost something like $17.00 but I could be wrong.

[after oil]

ill recheck all the possible chafing points. each cable has its own rubber grommet where it goes through the wall behind the drivers seat. theres a couple of unused rubber coated bendy hangar things (you know the ones!) along the way that are holding the cables up.
like your idea about the fuse, cant hurt i guess to have another fuse! but i guess as long as i can be sure theres no chafing i should be okay??

[JMK]

If it were me I wouldn't rush right off to find a second fuse, but I'd probably put it on my 'to-do' list and next time you happen to be in Can Tire if they have some may as well grab one and an appropriate nut and bolt, and put it in for peace of mind. WHo knows, maybe if down the road you needed to make an ICBC claim they could use the present installation to void your claim if it was due to fire or something.

[after oil]

good advice. thanks

[Erebus]

... the back of the U shape is fastened directly to the back of the engine wall (goes thru to the back wall of the air filter area, so you can see where your fastener comes out), then the lower part of the U shape comes out below the inverter to about an inch in front of the inverter, so gear can't smash into the inverter, nor block the cooling of the inverter. This leaves about 1.5 inches between the floor and the bottom of the U shelf.

One thing I'm wondering if Jay's thought of ... the Delica's rear heater blows hot air out very near there. Any worries about "cooking" the inverter with the heater? Other than that, I really like the setup, especially with shore power all interconnected. I wanna, I wanna!

I'll be powering ... a laptop. all my music will be on the laptop, played through the stereo system.

I would recommend you get another power supply for your laptop ... one that can run on 12V. When I bought my new Stinkpad this summer, I also got the optional power supply that works on 120/240V AC as well as 12V cig outlet and airplane plug. So I don't need an inverter for the computer, it plugs straight into a "cig" outlet. Mind you, not one of the stock ones, but one that can handle 10 amp draws.

Not that I don't want to put in an inverter, just this way it isn't quite as needed. My biggest inverter I have now is a 400W unit, but even that requires fatter wire than I have right now. My fatest wiring is only 10 guage, so I really have to watch what I do with the inverter.

[after oil]

well, ive got the inverter, it was only $35 at the pawn shop, so i might as well use it. i havent got a 10a cig lighter and now theres no time to install one. the laptops got a battery of course so hopefully, if it lasts long enough, ill just be charging it