Wiring a 1500PSW inverter from the ignition? Solved? Writeup to follow!

Hi, I am looking for a wiring diagram of the ignition circuit. My goal is to make my inverter power on only when the truck has all it's power on as well (The last key stop before turning it over).

I could do a run with a fuse in it right off the battery, but this seems more elegant and applicable if you don't want to kill your battery all the time.

Thanks in advance!

Jerald

 

check any of the truck stops, many of them carry some pretty powerful inverters that just plug into cigarette lighter

 

Thanks for the replies. I bought a 1500w used Pure Sine Wave Inverter, looks pretty meaty. Bought it used. It tested up fine when I bought it, and now I am wiring it. It is a Go Power brand unit.

I have 4ga. copper wire and am going to run this from past the fuse box if I recall what an old mechanic friend of mine once said was the best way to wire these.

Just not sure about a wiring diagram, and the experience of others...

 

You'll want a contactor to handle the power. Something like the kit below would be the easiest.

$100 WARN 62132 Power Interrupt Kit with Battery Lead, Hardware, Solenoid, Switch and Wiring

https://www.amazon.com/WARN-62132-Power-Interrupt-Kit/dp/B000CQFVN8

 

There are only 3 visible wire inlets. Pos, Neg, and I assume grounding.

This is where this is headed folks if possible... switched off the start key.

More details please...

 

http://gpelectric.com/products/1500-watt-pure-sine-wave-inverter is the model. I think it is more for solar installs. Gotta be a way to make this work, perhaps installing a relay after the fuse box? Not my forte for sure.... Thanks! A wiring diagram would be helpful...

 

Almost.... but needs to be switched from the key or I WILL forget and come back to dead truck...

 

It has a built in ON/OFF switch. You are correct, it is built for home use. You will need to work around it's intended use or move ON/OFF switch into the cabin and control it manually when you need it.

If you use this setup, from battery positive through relay to inverter. Then find an ignition powered source to trigger the relay on, it will accomplish what you originally asked for.

Disclaimer: I am not now nor have I ever been an electrician automotive or otherwise, I do however play one in bar rooms and on the internet.

 

OK, now we are getting somewhere. Anyone show me a picture of where to put the relay contact on the fusebox? I am similar. Not quite at the level of bar room or interwebs helping yet though. I have another 15 to 40 years to go... Someday...

 

the keyword search "ignition powered source" was fruitful... This will also be useful for when I run an amp for my stereo...



Or this if you prefer... Dry but informative.

 

A relay will not handle the 125 amp draw of your inverter. That's why you need a DC contactor. They're easy to wire, battery power to one of the big posts, power feed to inverter to the other big post, ground to one of the small posts, ignition wire to the other small post.

Easy way is to grab an ignition source using a fuse tap like done above.

 

Again, not an electrician so my terminology looks to be wrong. @Festerw You made me go learn new stuff. So a contactor is a high load relay.

 

Basically yes. Relays, solenoids and contactors all do the same thing but in different capacities.

This does a good job of explaining them better than I ever could.
https://www.google.com/amp/info.way...enoids-vs-contactors-a-comparison?hs_amp=true

 

Thank's Fester! Me as well. Funny, three names for similar items of different loads. I have done this before direct to battery with fuses and it was easy, but not ideal.

Contactor requires a small power supply, under 15a. When a current runs through the relay via the small power supply, it acts as a switch and flips on the current path of the large draw item.

So running from the ACC(esories) in the fuse box flips the Contactor on when the key is in ignition rest position and provides a circuit (power pathway) to the main load item.

That sound about right? Not my strong suit...

 

Yes sir you got it.

 

Well, found some time for the forum. I bought a couple 200A solenoids. Please, don't argue with me or Gregg Distributors. They are *solenoids*. . ... They have over 200,000 products in their catalog and not one contactor. "Well, whats your biggest solenoid?" One "Hmmm, lemmecheck" later... "200A." I'll take 2... Contactor. lol...

Kinda cold out to be doing a wiring job. it is snowing right now. Will update with pics soon.

 

As long as it works doesn't really matter what they call it. Just make sure it's rated for continuous usage or you'll be replacing them more frequently.

Trombetta Bear series are the ones I've always used, 100% duty cycle at 225 amps and rated to 600 amp inrush.

 

Here is the install thread. Have a look: