Posted by SGardTX on 9/17/07 9:12pm
Msg #211650

OT: Inverter ? Anyone familiar with the technical side?

I have an Aims 1000w pure sine inverter in my car. I am trying to figure out why my inverter will not work with my car on. I only have a printer (Brother HL-5250) hooked up to it. I have checked the peak wattage for my printer and it is ok. Am I supposed to turn my car off everytime I use it? Also when I use it with the car off it makes a weird noise the whole time I am printing. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!!!

Reply by Lisa Prestegard on 9/17/07 10:07pm
Msg #211657

Check your p/m n/m

Reply by Becca_FL on 9/17/07 10:11pm
Msg #211658

Re: OT: Inverter ? Anyone familiar with the technical side

I know someone else that had problems with a 1000w pure sine running a Brother. If you have checked the wattage and it's fine, I don't know what the problem could be.

Do you have a battery isolator hooked up between the inverter and the car battery?

Reply by DogmongerCA on 9/17/07 10:19pm
Msg #211660

Was it Becca or Lisa that had one for sale?

Andy is handy with both printers, and has posted about inverters in the past. I hope to put one in my car soon. Hoping on running a HP 1200

Reply by Becca_FL on 9/17/07 10:34pm
Msg #211663

Hey, Dog.

I run an HP 1320 and a Samsung 4160 with my 1000w pure sine...not at the same time, mind you.

Misty had some problems while running her brother on a 1000w and that's why I asked about the isolator. Now, don't ask me what the isolator does, perhaps isolates, but that is all I know. It might have something to do with the start up power that the Brother needs. ???

Andy...You there?

Reply by Ndwa on 9/17/07 11:13pm
Msg #211670

Re: Hey, Becca...Isolator

is use when you have more than one batteries hookup where each battery is connected to a different source, but both/all would get charge from the same alternator.

Reply by Becca_FL on 9/17/07 11:38pm
Msg #211676

Re: Hey, Becca...Isolator...Hey Andy

I've got an isolator on my battery that goes from the isolator to the inverter. I'll take a picture. Don't know what it does, but I've never had a problem with my system.

Reply by OR on 9/17/07 10:49pm
Msg #211664

Re: I have 2 of them...................

You will need to know how many watts you need. Inverters are in watts. You find you Amps (on the back of your machine) X 120=watts

You need to decide if you want to hard wire to the battery (450 or high or higher) or plug into the car lighter jack(350 watts or less) mine was $35 at Joe's . They are easy. My 350 watt will run a printer or my lap top but not at one time. I have a 1000 watt inverter hard wired in. It cost me $129 at Joes. I have a 350 watt that was $29 st Joes. Good luck let me know if you if you have any other questions and I will try to help. Good Luck

Reply by OR on 9/17/07 10:53pm
Msg #211666

Re: I have 2 of them...................they do need

to run for a few moments it is to power up form the battery, then you are good to go. For mine it is about 45 seconds. I think that is normal for inverters.

Reply by Ndwa on 9/17/07 11:17pm
Msg #211671

Re: I have 2 of them.........JoAnn

The reason a puresine inverter is need for laser printer is that b/c the laser optical is a sensitive part and required precision/constant current to function correctly. Short cut does not produce good result.

Reply by SGardTX on 9/17/07 11:12pm
Msg #211669

Re: OT: Inverter? No I don't have an isolator. Do I need 1? n/m

Reply by OR on 9/17/07 11:32pm
Msg #211674

Re: OT: I dont need an isolator. The wire we used is...

big enough. I love having an inerter it gives you freedom. It was worth every penny. They come with directions and recomended wire gage. My husband got our wire from work. The fuse was the hardest thing to find.

Reply by Becca_FL on 9/18/07 12:15am
Msg #211686

JoAnne, what exactly is an "inerter"

I'd like more freedom. I'm sure many would. Please, tell us about this inerter that gives you freedom. I'd love to know.

Reply by OR on 9/18/07 2:34am
Msg #211703

Re: I miss spelled the word thanks Becca :0)

Dont do it often but thanks for keeping me on my toes.

Reply by Becca_FL on 9/18/07 12:06am
Msg #211682

Yes n/m

Reply by Ndwa on 9/17/07 11:10pm
Msg #211668

Re: OT: Inverter ? Anyone familiar with the technical side

Do you have a fuse/circuit breaker between the inverter & battery?
What wire gauge did you use to connect the inverter?
How far is your inverter from the battery?
How old is the battery?
What is the rated cranking amp on the battery?

1. Your battery may not have sufficient capacity (current output) to support both the car engine & inverter running at the same time.

2. Rule of thumb for wiring is the further away your inverter from the battery, the smaller the wire gauge (the bigger the wire the better current flow). 6ft is the typical length for this type of set up with 0-2 gauge wire.

Reply by SGardTX on 9/17/07 11:17pm
Msg #211672

Re: OT: Inverter ? Anyone familiar with the technical side

I had my inverter installed at Car Toys so I don't know about the fuse/circuit breaker. I know that they used 4 gauge wires and the inverter is probably about 4 ft from the battery my car is not very big (I have an Acura TL). Battery is almost 1yr old. How do I find the rated cranking amp?

Reply by Becca_FL on 9/17/07 11:42pm
Msg #211679

Re: OT: Inverter ? Anyone familiar with the technical side

You need 0 gauge wire for what you need to do. The Car Toys store did not inform you correctly. Ask for your money back. They sold you a bill of goods.

Reply by SGardTX on 9/18/07 12:07am
Msg #211683

Re: OT: Inverter ? Anyone familiar with the technical side

My inverter came with instructions that said if the inverter is more than 1000 watts use a 4 gauge wire.

Reply by Becca_FL on 9/18/07 12:21am
Msg #211687

Re: OT: Inverter ? Anyone familiar with the technical side

No, No, No, use 0 gauge wire and you should not have a problem. The CC guys wouldn't touch my project because they didn't even have the proper wire to hook me up. You need to go to the guys that understand what you need to do.

Call me, I can help you.

Reply by SGardTX on 9/18/07 12:40am
Msg #211689

Re: OT: Inverter ? Can I call you tomorrow? n/m

Reply by SGardTX on 9/18/07 12:41am
Msg #211690

Re: OT: Inverter ? I meant later today :-)! n/m

Reply by Becca_FL on 9/18/07 12:56am
Msg #211692

Absolutely. Give me a ring. After 11am, please.

I'm not much of a morning person, but you're safe by 11am.

Reply by Ndwa on 9/18/07 1:06am
Msg #211693

SG - Stop using the inverter until you get the problem fix

I re-read your original post and notice you mentioned the noise coming from the inverter when it runs. It seems clear that you don't have the proper wire size. The noise (high pitch frequency) is probably coming from the transformer working (harder) to give you the power need for the printer.

Power = Voltage x Current (P=VxI)

The bigger wire allow current to flow freely where power can easily achieve. Smaller wire gets hot and restrict the flow of current. So, 2-gauge would do the job and 0-gauge is even better.

Becca, your installation guy was thoughtful to put in an isolator just in case you decided to throw in an extra battery. The reason I use a circuit breaker over a fuse is that I can easily reset the breaker. I have to physically disconnect the wires to remove/replace the fuse, which is not good when you're on the road, especially if it's raining out.

Reply by SGardTX on 9/18/07 1:12am
Msg #211695

Re: SG - Stop using the inverter until you get the problem fix

Ok. I will call Car Toys tomorrow and have them install a smaller wire. Thanks again.

Reply by SGardTX on 9/18/07 1:13am
Msg #211696

Re: SG - Stop using the inverter until ... I meant bigger

wire.

Reply by Becca_FL on 9/18/07 1:14am
Msg #211697

So Andy, is the problem the gauge?

I guess I'm lucky to not only have a guy to give me the right gauge, but also install an isolator. Proof positive people, go to the right guy.

Reply by Ndwa on 9/18/07 2:04am
Msg #211701

Re: So Andy, is the problem the gauge?

Most likely...You see, car electronics are connected in parallel where the current draw (from battery) to each component is separate/different so that if one circuit died the others still function normally, otherwise a car would completely stop from just one bad circuit. This is why the inverter didn't work with the car running due to current (from battery) being distributed opposed to when the car is not running. Theoretically, the problem would then be you have less current flow compounded with a smaller wire.

Reply by Ndwa on 9/17/07 11:18pm
Msg #211673

One more thing

Here's my set up

http://www.1stcallnotary.com/resource.html

Reply by SGardTX on 9/17/07 11:39pm
Msg #211677

Re: Thanks everyone for your help! n/m

Reply by OR on 9/17/07 11:42pm
Msg #211678

Re: I do know my 12V battery can run

my 1000 watt inverter and that is enough to run 2 printer and a lap top all at one time driving down the road. It works well. good luck