Remember the last time you went on a trip with your family to a fantastic place? You took out your device to capture the scenic beauty and the beautiful moments. But alas! You ran out of your battery. You find no other way to charge up the device in the middle of the trip.
Well, inverters are there to get your back like your brother. You just need to connect the inverter to your car battery. Then, you can charge the devices like mobiles, laptops and other electronics in minutes.
Stick around till the end if you are looking for guidance on connecting a power inverter to a car battery. You will reach your destination.
Why Power Inverter?
You already know that you need a power inverter to use as an emergency power source for charging your AC appliances. What’s more? How does it work?
When you connect an inverter to a car battery, the inverter transforms the DC to AC. Inside the inverter, the electricity adjusts different voltages. So, you connect the device with the inverter, and it starts to grab the charge.
There are different types and sizes of power inverters available in the market. They are built with improved technology, and the case is also built strong. You can find cooling fans for proper ventilation inside the inverter. Some inverters are large, and some are small.
How to connect power inverter to a car battery – Step by step guide:
No matter what inverter you choose, you must know how to connect it to your car battery. You can do both Temporary connection and permanent installation of an inverter to your car battery. Do either of you want to by following the below guideline.
Temporary Connection:
A temporary connection is an easy process, yet something needs to be done appropriately. So, you must be careful when you are doing the process.
Step 1: Select a calm spot and park your car there. Make sure there is no gathering of people or other vehicles.
Step 2: Take the inverter and open up the car hood. You can use battery clips to connect the inverter to your car. For safety and a better working process, place the inverter on a flat surface.
Make sure you attach the positive side with the positive switch of the inverter and the negative side with the negative switch of the inverter.
Same as that, connect the positive clip to the battery’s positive terminal and the negative clip to the battery’s negative terminal.
You can connect the inverter by either turning on the engine or keeping it off. It is not necessary to turn on the engine. Besides, keeping the engine off is advisable for most mechanical professionals.
Step 3: Turn on the switch of your inverter. And you are prepared to charge up the appliances. There are USB ports also located in the inverter to charge your phone. So, you need not carry extra multi-plugs or wires for this.
Step 4: When you are done charging your devices, firstly turn off the inverter. Disconnect the devices from the inverter.
Step 5: Disconnect the battery clips from the positive and negative terminals of the battery. Take the inverters and wires out and store them in a dry place. Make sure it gets proper ventilation even if it is not in use.
Permanent Installation:
The permanent installation process can be different in SUV, Truck or Passenger car. But there is some particular process which is almost the same in each. While installing the inverter permanently in your vehicle, keep the below facts in your mind.
- Never try to mount the power inverter near the engine or any other warm place in your car. Select a dry and cool place for the mounting. The spot should also be dust-free. Or make sure more dust can not reach the inverter.
- It would be best if you also remembered that the inverter should be accessible easily. Select a spot that gives you an easy allowance to turn on and turn off the inverter when you want.
- Be careful with your wiring. Avoid unnecessarily long wires, but the wires should be long enough to reach the battery after the mounting is done. While connecting the wires with the inverter, make sure you get the negative and positive connection correctly.
- Suppose you have a dedicated space and case for mounting the great inverter. If you don’t, you can make your own. Make sure the case has ventilation holes for airflow to the inverter. Because proper airflow is a must for keeping your power inverter fine to work.
- You can make the setup by attaching the wires from below the seats or the sides. That’s your choice. Make sure they are done appropriately and no wire is hanging out.
- Fusing is another crucial thing for installing an inverter permanently to your car battery. As you are dealing with electricity transformation, you need to take some safety precautions. A fuse will give that safety and resist your battery from blowing out if any spark occurs. You can use an automotive sealed fuse and fuse holder for your inverter. It would be best if you also mounted the fuse holder for assuring no movement.
Safety Tips:
When you are doing all the installation process all by yourself, use safety glasses. You can also use protective gloves if necessary. Besides, check the inverter before connecting to your car battery if you haven’t used the inverter for a long time.
While working with electronics and electric equipment, be extra careful. Moreover, ensure there is no leak on the inverter or the battery, or you may have to face a severe accident. You can place or attach the inverter on a flat wooden surface with screws to give it better stability.
Final Words:
This was all about how to connect a power inverter to a car battery. I hope that you can do it now on your own. If you are still not sure about it, seek some professional to do the job for you.