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Re: Inverter broke accessory socket, please help
On Mon, 5 Sep 2005 20:28:32 -0500, "Jo Jo" <jojo@nono.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>I plugged an inverter into my accessory socket, and it blew a fuse in my
>truck. I replaced the truck fuse but now the accessory socket still doesn't
>work (I've tried plugging in other items that I know work). Any ideas? Are
>there any other fuses or relays that it might have tripped and where would
>they be? It's a 2002 Tundra. Anyone got an idea or wiring diagram? Storm
>victim here trying to watch TV on inverter. Thanks[/color]
There is a thermal link 'fuse' on the back of the lighter socket
body, meant to blow from heat if someone shoves in the lighter and
jams it into place - the thermal link pops before the dashboard
catches on fire. Your factory lighter socket is only good for about
10 amps continuous, as you just found out, and it's switched through
the ignition key.
*** Read the warning boxes at the bottom. It's Important stuff. ***
Normally, you just change out the whole lighter socket when it goes
bad - but in an emergency you can pop the socket out of the dashboard
and replace that link with a glob of solder, reassemble, Fixed. It
might get a little hotter before it pops, but you still have _some_
protection.
Your best bet for a semi-permanent fix is to hardwire your inverter
straight to the battery terminals with the appropriate size wire and
fuse in line. If you have an inverter that's 200 - 250 watts or
larger, you really need to do this.
If it's one of the "baby" 75 to 150 watt inverters, you can install
a separate "Accessory Outlet" socket under the dashboard fed straight
from the battery, again with the right size fuse inline at the
battery. Those sockets do not have the bimetal 'clip' for a lighter
element, and can easily handle 25 to 30 amps continuous.
*** WARNING: Do Not sit there watching TV for more than about a half
hour at a time without running the truck engine to recharge the
battery - and to get the voltage high enough to recharge properly you
need 'fast idle' over 1500 - 2000 RPM. At the normal 700 RPM curb
idle the alternator barely puts out enough to keep the engine running.
*** WARNING Pt. 2: If you deep discharge a regular car starting
battery by running the inverter for a few hours before recharging with
the alternator - or worse, let it sit half dead all night and wait
till the next morning to recharge it, you can ruin the battery very
quickly. Car starting batteries are made to give a big burst of power
to start the engine, then be fully recharged immediately. In about a
6 to 12 deep discharge cycles it will just die, and now is /not/ the
time to kill your battery.
If you plan to do this often, install a second "Deep Cycle" battery
in your truck that can handle that use with ease (same type used in
motorhomes and travel trailers) and a diode or relay charging
isolator. You can run them down pretty low for several hundred
cycles, and they bounce right back.
--<< Bruce >>--
--
Bruce L. Bergman, Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) CA - Desktop
Electrician for Westend Electric - CA726700
5737 Kanan Rd. #359, Agoura CA 91301 (818) 889-9545
Spamtrapped address: Remove the python and the invalid, and use a net.
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