Power Inverter ?

[Anonymous-0]

Here's the deal. Super C with a 12 volt 75 amp alternator, 400 watt power inverter, maybe 10-12 strings of LED Christmas lights, and a parade of lights. I don't understand the whole volts-amps-watts conversion thing and I am not asking about that. My question is, will I be all with my alternator? I don't want to ruin something electrical. There is nothing on the box of lights that tell how much power they use, just 90% less then the "other brands". I have heard that the inverters can be a problem, but it's not like I will be running a window AC or something big like that. Thanks for any info and I will check back tonight when I get in from discing.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Dunno what the LEDs draw either, have heard that they are Volt sensitive though..If you have access to a clamp on amprobe that will tell you. that inverter is only good for 3-4 amps (ampxvolt=watt)

 

[flashback]

Power inverters will produce their rated power. They come in all sizes. The box is right, LED use 90% less power than filament bulbs.IS that 90% less than mini lights or regular bulbs. The answer lies in installing a fuse inline and then trying it out. I think a 2000 watt inverter will handle you needs but would test it first. most mini light use about 10 wats per 100 I believe but am not absolutely positive.

 

[flashback]

I forgot. Most christmas tree lights now come with a fuse in the plug. Check that out. that will give you an indication of how much power you are going to deal with.

 

[Anonymous-0]

A 400 watt inverter at full load would draw about 34 amps 12V. the inverters are not 100% efficient, so allowing for as much as 40 amps draw would still be only about 2/3 of alternator capacity. Should not be a problem as long as you run the alternator fast enough so it's cooling fan can keep the alternator cool.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Sounds fine. My inverter beeps and cuts out prior to any problems. Be sure to use real heavy wire on the 12 volt wires. About 10 times what the 120 volt needs.

 

[evilboweviel]

wire the inverter up with 8 gauge wire and plug a set of lights in. hook up a volt meter in parrell to read voltage. keep adding strings of lights when the voltage drops back up one string
ron

 

[Walt Davies]

100 led Christmas tree lights draw 3.75 watts you have 400 watts so you can run 10,000 individual lights or 100 strings of 100 lights. These little diode lights will run on an AA battery for months.
Get used to them all cars will have them in about 4 years and house lighting is right behind that. It will save billions in electrical cost a day across the country.
Walt

 

[buickanddeere]

The box the leds came in should spec the current and watts.
For all leds draw. That 400W inverter will likely have capacity to spare.
The trick is using #6 copper with proper swagged ends on the + & - side of the inverter. Mounting the inverter right at the alternator would be best.

 

[Walt Davies]

12 100 light strings will use 48 watts or 2.5 amps the 400 watt system will run off your cigarette lighter if less the 180 watts. I would just use the wiring that comes with it connect it to the battery and don't get all excited about using # 8 or # 6 wire that would be gross over kill.
Walt

 

[Anonymous-0]

Think I'd go with Walt on this one...OCG

 

[Anonymous-0]

The lights and inverter aren't any real issue. But the alternator is, for the most part, not 75 amps. That's a full output rating at an RPM your tractor probably never reaches - but it depends on what size pulley you're using. It's more likely putting out 50 - 100 watts at idle and low engine speeds. Even 60 watts - with 4 - 8 watts loss though the inverter, is still plenty to run your lights if only drawing 40 - 50 watts. And, your battery can serve as buffer if the alternator output drops too low at times.

 

[Walt Davies]

OLC be very careful about agreeing with me. ask Mattias about what can happen.
Hey you guys you should all say HI to Mattias from Sweden a real nice guy with a beautiful wife. (no kidding here)
He has an old David-Brown tractor.
Got to teach him out to put Pics in his post.

Walt

 

[Keith-OR]

Now watchout Walt, we don't wancha having a heart atach... :lol: :lol:

Keith & Shawn

 

[Walt Davies]

Been there done that Keith.
Walt

 

[Walt Davies]

Jon the 400 watts is on the 120 side divide watts by volts you get 3.33 amp. this is a very small system that is used to run very small things like your shaver or a small radio.

 

[NawlensGator]

400 watts / 120 V = 3.3 amps is the max current your inverter will provide. Is this enough? Seems small.

Your alternator will need to put out 120/12 = 10 times the amps, or 33 amps plus the inverter loss, or about 34 amps.

The inverter will be the bottle neck, not the alternator.