A modern car has long become an indispensable part of everyday life. Work, hobbies, and leisure – all these concepts are directly and inextricably linked to a car. In the new realities, in the conditions of the modern rhythm of life, the trend towards integrating additional devices into the vehicle’s on-board network is becoming increasingly apparent. One such useful gadget is a car inverter.
What is a Car Inverter?
Laptops, portable printers, mobile scanners, televisions – these and other compact electronic devices are necessary for use in a car. But they require an alternating current with a voltage of 220-240 V to operate, while the on-board network has a direct current with a voltage of 12 V.
In this situation, a car inverter is needed – a portable device designed to convert (invert) the direct current of the on-board network, which has a nominal voltage of 12 V, into an alternating current with a voltage of 220-240 V.
Key Characteristics of a Car Inverter
The main characteristic of a car inverter is its nominal power (measured in Watts (W)) – this is the total power of the devices that can simultaneously receive energy from the converter. There are other parameters, among which the following should be noted:
- Peak power: the maximum load that the inverter can withstand;
- Waveform of alternating current: a quality characteristic that indicates the stability of the current parameters;
- Nominal input and output (inverted) voltage: usually 12 V at the input and 220 V at the output;
- Current frequency: 50-60 Hz;
- Maximum heating temperature before automatic shutdown: a range from 60 to 66 degrees;
- Efficiency: more than 80%.
It is recommended to connect devices to the inverter with the car engine running, when the generator constantly charges the battery. Otherwise, the battery will quickly discharge and its capacity may not be enough to restart the power unit.
Types of Inverters
Car inverters used to power various portable devices and appliances are classified according to the following criteria:
- Power: low-power – up to 300 W and from 300 W (powerful);
- Input and output voltage;
- Sine wave shape: indicates the quality of the conversion of direct current to alternating current; the sine wave of the inverted current can be smooth (approximated) or stepped;
- Design: the number of sockets in the housing, the presence of USB ports and power indicators;
- Connection method to the battery: directly, through the cigarette lighter socket or combined.
Additional Features of a Car Inverter
Many models of modern car inverters, in addition to the main function of converting the direct current of the on-board network into alternating current, have a number of useful options. Such innovations allow for safe and comfortable use of the device:
- Automatic shutdown system in case of overheating;
- Power and voltage indicators;
- Heat dissipation system and built-in cooler (fan);
- A set of adapters and extension cords.
Among the frankly exotic innovations that do not quite fit with the direct purpose of the inverter, but which may be present in the latest models of current converters, one can highlight: a remote control, an LED flashlight, a purifier (air freshener).
Installation and Connection of the Inverter
The inverter can be connected to the car’s electrical system in two ways: through the cigarette lighter socket or directly to the battery.
It is important to know that inverters rated up to 300 W can be connected through the cigarette lighter. This is because an excessive load can damage the devices in the cigarette lighter circuit. In addition, this circuit is protected from possible overloads by a fuse, which will simply burn out if the power threshold of 300 W is exceeded.
Car inverters with a power of more than 300 W are recommended to be connected directly to the battery, bypassing other sections of the vehicle’s electrical system. The wiring can be laid as a separate cable line, or combined with an existing bundle of wires. Through one of the technological openings in the engine compartment shield, the wiring is led to the battery. The “positive” cable with a securely crimped tip is connected to the “positive” terminal of the battery using a bolt connection. The “negative” wire must be connected to the “ground” of the car, the point can be found directly in the cabin.
When connecting the inverter, attention should be paid to the selection of connecting cables. For this, special tables are used, according to which you can select cables depending on the nominal power and current strength in the network. It should be noted that the standard car wiring is not suitable for connecting a high-power inverter.
Important! All electrical work must be carried out with the ignition off and the battery disconnected from the vehicle’s electrical system.
As a rule, the inverter unit is installed inside the cabin, in any convenient place, but at the same time, it is important to ensure that there is free space around the device and good air circulation (the device body heats up quite strongly). A typical place where a car inverter is most often installed is located at the bottom of the dashboard on the passenger side – there is a lot of free space, convenient access and does not interfere with the driver. For rigid fixation of the device, special brackets and loops are used, which are fixed in the selected place in the cabin using glue or self-tapping screws.
It should be noted that powerful car inverters, which have fairly large dimensions, are best installed in the trunk.
How to Choose a Car Inverter
When choosing a car inverter, the main focus should be on its technical characteristics rather than its appearance and design. As a rule, a car inverter is selected based on its power. Before buying a car inverter, you need to determine which devices and appliances you plan to connect to it.
Power
A preliminary calculation is carried as follows: the approximate power of all devices that you plan to connect to the inverter simultaneously is determined, and the resulting value is compared with the power of the inverter itself. The best solution is a situation where the nominal power of the car inverter exceeds the total power of all electricity consumers by 30-50%. The more “powerful” the inverter, the more diverse the list of gadgets will be, but it is worth understanding that the generator of not every car is able to provide the necessary current parameters for a full battery charge and inverter operation. In this case, even with the engine running, the current converter will significantly “drain” the battery.
Connection method to the on-board network
If you plan to use power-consuming devices, then the car inverter must have sufficient power (over 300 W) and connect directly to the battery. Consequently, it must include special wires with clamps. For low-power consumers of alternating current, it is enough to purchase an inverter equipped only with a connector for connecting to the cigarette lighter.
Size and appearance
The appearance, design, and size of the car inverter do not play a decisive role. However, to optimize the interior space of the cabin, it is advisable to choose more compact models of car inverters.
Safety
The rules for using a car inverter are practically identical to those for most electrical devices of this type. Safety requirements imply strict adherence to the following rules:
- The car inverter must be of legal origin and certified: a substandard current converter can cause a short circuit in the on-board network and, as a result, cause a fire in the car;
- Do not turn on the device in a network that has damage to the housing, connecting connectors or wiring;
- Free air circulation must be ensured around the inverter;
- The device must be protected from moisture, flammable substances, direct sunlight, and powerful heat sources.