INSTALLING A POWER INVERTER (Pictures)

I have a Cobra 2575 that has always worked well but makes a lot of noise when under any load. Anyone know why the noise or how to fix it?

It was wired to one battery but killed it in a short time. I replaced them with 4 Interstate AGM 1050CCA. The negative cable isn't long enough to reach the farthest negative post. I hooked it to the farthest it will reach which is basically running on 2 batteries.

I really don't want to replace the cable if it's avoidable. Is it better to splice the cable to reach the farthest negative post, or to ground it to the frame? I'll replace the cable if I have to.

 

I am assuming it is your CB that makes the noise? Or perhaps the AM/FM....
Noise generated by the power inverter can be eliminated by installing a GROUND-LOOP ISOLATOR on the negative side of the radio.

 

All the negatives should be hooked together. Why do you say it's running off two batteries?

 

Even though this is really a simple thing to setup in a truck it is really great to have people around to help a guy stay on the straight and narrow. I really appreciate the info and the pic's. Lends to not waking up in the middle of the night smelling what may be your own hide cooking as your truck burns to the ground.

Any suggestions as to the good/better/best brands out there for performance/durability/value??

Thank again to everyone who contributed.

 

I am looking into getting an 8000w inverter, its not a household name brand price is about $275

 

EIGHT THOUSAND? That's a mighty big inverter! Are you only going to use it for a few seconds, or do you have a huge battery bank to supply it?

 

roflmfao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Gonna throw my 2 cents in on the subject. Background lived aboard sailboat for 15 years have cruised west coast from Mexico to Canada and owned yacht repair biz for 8 years. I would purchase no less than 1500 watt inverter. I would use marine grade cable and not have more than 10 ft. lenght marine cable is tinned and will not corrode it is pricey but in the end will save you money. As far as protecting the cable going through holes you can buy plastic grommets that are used to run propane lines through bulkheads at marine or RV store or at marine store and fill those if needed to keep water fumes or noise out of cabin. As far as fuses depends on inverter size as far as DC side goes 1500 watt usually 200amp 2000 watt 300amp pull the instruction sheet out of the garbage and look the manufacturer will specify. Personally I would buy a marine inverter ya costs 2 or 3 times more but you get what you pay for. My 2000 watt charger with built in 100 amp batt charger costs 1100 bucks 18 years ago and is still going strong today. Hope this helps.

 

I also lived aboard for many years! The marine environment is harder on wiring than being in outer space. Beldon wiring, tinned and with high temp insulation. Heat shrink tubing at every terminal. Anti-oxide grease on every junction. Quite an education!

 

So whats a decent wattage inverter to get, 3000 watts? Running laptop, cell phone, fridge and micro wave and maybe a small fan?