12v cigarette lighter plug in inverter question

[Jordan]

Does anyone have experience with a small plug in inverter? Amazon has lots that are between 150w and 300w that claim to just plug into the cigarette lighters. I just wanted to see if anyone has actually used one of these, and if the wiring between the battery and the 12v plug is enough to run these small inverters?

I am thinking this one in particular: https://www.amazon.ca/Inverter-300Wa...0Q8JNG1QGQB154

[gbaglo]

Have used those for years to charge camera batteries and computer equipment when I was working and to charge my MacBook, cell phone and Bluetooth speakers now that I'm retired.

I have a 200 watt and 75 watt. The 75 watt cost me $9.99 on sale at Canadian Tire.

I did melt a plug once when I tried to make a second cup of coffee with a single cup Starbucks coffee maker. They no longer sell that "personal portable" coffee maker. Everything has its limit.

[Jordan]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Have used those for years to charge camera batteries and computer equipment when I was working and to charge my MacBook, cell phone and Bluetooth speakers now that I'm retired.

I have a 200 watt and 75 watt. The 75 watt cost me $9.99 on sale at Canadian Tire.

I did melt a plug once when I tried to make a second cup of coffee with a single cup Starbucks coffee maker. They no longer sell that "personal portable" coffee maker. Everything has its limit.

Thanks. Any issue trying to draw 200W from the cigarette lighters in the Escape?

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by Jordan

Thanks. Any issue trying to draw 200W from the cigarette lighters in the Escape?

I'll leave that question to the electrical experts. Using a battery to make coffee or run a hair dryer requires too much power storage. I heat water on my propane stove and dry my hair with a towel and the sun.

[padlin]

I had a 300w that worked fine for stuff like the TV or recharging the computer. I think the most I ran thru it was 90w. The fuse for my outlets is 15a, or 180w however the outlet I have is only rated to 120w. Don't know what ETI is installing, this is what I put in. In my case the max I could do is 120w, not that I tried too exceed it to find out first hand.

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by Jordan

Thanks. Any issue trying to draw 200W from the cigarette lighters in the Escape?

In the E19 with the batteries in the front box I would just wire a heavy duty outlet, fused, direct to the terminals or just use alligator slips. Other wise the wiring inside limits the amount of juice you can pull from the batteries. Ever notice how thick battery cables are, there is a reason.

[alanmalk]

Originally Posted by Jordan

Thanks. Any issue trying to draw 200W from the cigarette lighters in the Escape?

If your main objective is using the cigarette lighter power plug then I might consider replacing the Escape version with this: https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Li.../dp/B01MUELUAD

Regardless of the rating I would be cautious drawing 200 watts. Make sure it has its own fuse, say 20 amps, to be safe.
--
Alan

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by Jordan

Thanks. Any issue trying to draw 200W from the cigarette lighters in the Escape?

200 watts would be close to 20 amps @ 12V. Most 12V cigarette lighter type receptacles are rated at 10 amps, and Escape fuses their 12V circuits at 15 amps (with the exception of the larger refrigerators). While you could use a 200 watt inverter, keeping the input current under 15 amps, over 10 amps might overheat the receptacle, and at the full 200 watts, blow the circuit fuse.

The 25 amp receptacle Alan linked to above might hold up to a 200 watt load, however I doubt the plug on the inverter would. The tip connection on most of them does not survive high currents. My 200 watt inverter tells me to cut off the connector & wire it direct if I'm going to draw more than 10 amps...

[Iowa Dave]

Hi Jon
All very good electrical advice as usual. The 10 amp fuse will generally keep you out of trouble is what I’ve found.
On a Scout trip years ago we had a rental van. The scouts were using the cigarette lighter socket in inverter. I was driving and not paying much attention the boys who were gaming. The radio was playing a popular tune of the day. An unfamiliar odor of melting plastic began to come from the console area. My navigator quickly jerked the plug out of the socket. Seems my genius scouts had added a splitter on a splitter to run multiple devices and had a ball of tinfoil or the like where the fuse used to be. Didn’t have to worry about that problem the rest of the trip. And on Scouts Honor this song was playing on the radio as we rocked across the upper peninsula of Michigan. https://youtu.be/OkGgdIBX1to
As they used to say “great bass line” or “ on the bottom we gotten”
Iowa Dave

[MBA80]

Originally Posted by Jordan

Does anyone have experience with a small plug in inverter? Amazon has lots that are between 150w and 300w that claim to just plug into the cigarette lighters. I just wanted to see if anyone has actually used one of these, and if the wiring between the battery and the 12v plug is enough to run these small inverters?

I am thinking this one in particular: https://www.amazon.ca/Inverter-300Wa...0Q8JNG1QGQB154

Aeiusny 500-watt inverter from Amazon. It even has a small solar panel option for purchase. Runs CPAP for over 3days without a charge. It has AC, DC and Solar charging options.

[ChuckBC]

Jordan,
Just doing some add ons in my E19 and I have purchased the same inverter with plans to use for charging phones, bike lights and possibly short use on computer. Plan wasn't to use to capacity and only bought this one given positive reviews, company support and pure sine technology. In the accompanying user's manual they note suggested continuous load power should not exceed 100w.

I am just getting to installing after upgrading my wiring to batteries with 6awg marine wire. I installed in dinette bench 2 Blue Seas terminals, pos/neg, with less than 4 feet to batteries in front box. Thought since small inverter was to be used, I didn't need to run separate wires to battery box? For inverter install I would hard wire to these terminals with 15amp fuse protection. Inverter is less than 18" to terminals. Plan is to turn on, use then turn off.

Suggestions from others on power disconnect for storage periods? I have 15amp Blue Seas breakers and wondered if I should just wire to converter with 15amp Blue Seas breaker installed. Or with inverter, even this small, should I divorce from converter and go with plan to wire to inside power terminals.