Using a DC to AC inverter
Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: Model Specific Forum
Forum Name: General Automotive Technical Discussion
Forum Description: Technical Automotive discussion of anything not specific to mid-size Ford/Merc
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=13203
Printed Date: 01-October-2023 at 4:57AM
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Topic: Using a DC to AC inverter
Posted By: n2fordwagons
Subject: Using a DC to AC inverter
Date Posted: 15-December-2014 at 1:59PM
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I know nothin' 'bout 'lectricity. :) I've got a Christmas tree on the roof of my wagon that I'm going to haul around for the Holidays. I wanna run some Christmas lights on the tree, using an inverter. The box for the lights says they're rated at 175 Watts. And I want to run two strings of them, together. So, first question, would I need an inverter that's rated at continuous 350 Watts? Second question, is it safe to connect something like this to the cigarette lighter of my Montego wagon? Any input is greatly appreciated. ------------- Jeff 71 Torino Brougham 72 Gran Torino Squire |
Replies:
Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 15-December-2014 at 4:08PM
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jeff, i've never used one but that's supposedly what they're for, you say the lights are rated @ 175 watts, is that the actual wattage draw? if so then i'd say yeah 350. can you find ones that are LED? as they draw WAY LESS power, now that i'm thinking about it--watts my be the output of lights, amperage is the power draw alex, ain't you an electrician??? chime in here! ------------- JOHN 74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
Posted By: n2fordwagons
Date Posted: 16-December-2014 at 12:23AM
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They're the big C9 bulbs, like in the old days. I was wanting to use them. Figured they'd look good with the '76 wagon. ------------- Jeff 71 Torino Brougham 72 Gran Torino Squire |
Posted By: unlovedford
Date Posted: 16-December-2014 at 2:10AM
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They make LED C9 sets now. We have them out front in the shrubbery. Work pretty well and are resistant to vibration - something to consider. However, I am old school as well, so we have a 4th tree with OLD bulbs on it. Round snow speckled, pearl bulbs, bubble candlesticks, tinsel melters, etc. Lots of heat, and we don't leave it unattended, LOL. Very cool idea on the tree wagon. ------------- Joe 1972 Mom's Squire Wagon 1972 Torino Wagon 1976 Torino 1968 Cougar XR7-First batch 1972 Torino 460 1989 BroncoII/Jeeps/Titanimous Popeye and Brutus (Rams) |
Posted By: n2fordwagons
Date Posted: 16-December-2014 at 2:47AM
 ------------- Jeff 71 Torino Brougham 72 Gran Torino Squire |
Posted By: GranTorinoSport
Date Posted: 16-December-2014 at 3:09AM
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So if you needed 350 Watts of power, at 12V (or let's say 14.4V, which is more of a standard for auto power), we come up with 24.3A. Now, knowing that the cigarette lighter is rated for 15A, you would instantly blow a fuse. That same 350W of power at 110VAC is like 3.2A power - significant difference. My point being, that Christmas light string is waaay to much for the power outlet - you'd need to hard wire the inverter into the battery or something similar. Just out of curiosity, I was poking around Amazon at power inverters. For a 500W energizer model, at max output it draws 54A, which is a ton of juice, when you consider that original alternators that came in earlier models could be as low as 45A! ------------- Scott Eklund Webmaster |
Posted By: n2fordwagons
Date Posted: 16-December-2014 at 3:56AM
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Thanks Scott! That's what I was afraid of. I might try to spread one string of lights over the tree, and see if I can get by with that, using a lower wattage inverter. ------------- Jeff 71 Torino Brougham 72 Gran Torino Squire |
Posted By: unlovedford
Date Posted: 16-December-2014 at 4:16AM
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Be sure to keep it moist, lest you lose a lot of needles and/or go flying down I-85 with a burning tree on top, LOL. ------------- Joe 1972 Mom's Squire Wagon 1972 Torino Wagon 1976 Torino 1968 Cougar XR7-First batch 1972 Torino 460 1989 BroncoII/Jeeps/Titanimous Popeye and Brutus (Rams) |
Posted By: Big Bird
Date Posted: 16-December-2014 at 10:49AM
That is SO Griswald!!! PLEASE tell me the tree will be UPRIGHT while you drive down the road!!!  Modern Led lights are CHEAP, draw little power (battery operated in some cases), and much less/no heat generated. ------------- "What we do in full frontal view, is more honest than your cleaned-up mind." Randy 1979 T-Bird 2005 F-150 STX RCSB 4.6, 3.55 LSD How the Heck does a REGULAR CAB SHORTBED weigh over 5200 pounds? |
n2fordwagons wrote:Posted By: Ranchero Fan
Date Posted: 16-December-2014 at 11:58AM
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Put a tree topper on it, wired/ plugged into the trailer aux plug, then you''ll have, a one of a kind highmount brake light ------------- Brian 1973 Ford Ranchero Big Block. ''THE OTHER WOMAN'' |
Posted By: n2fordwagons
Date Posted: 19-December-2014 at 2:29AM
I ended up going with some C9 LED lights. Enjoy!  ------------- Jeff 71 Torino Brougham 72 Gran Torino Squire |
Posted By: bdaugette
Date Posted: 19-December-2014 at 7:02AM
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That is so cool. I guarantee you will get the looks from other, less fortunate, car owners!!! ------------- Bill Daugette 72 GTS 351C 4V |