How many watts can I power from the 12v cigarette lighter socket in my car please?

[telectrix]

Re: How many watts can I power from the 12v cigarette lighter socket in my car please

first get the battery tested at somewhere like hi-Q. it could be an alternator fault, not charging the battery fully. or, as you say, could be that the inverter is goosed,

 

[expeditionist]

Re: How many watts can I power from the 12v cigarette lighter socket in my car please

Thanks telectrix, I went to the garage who last serviced my van and they were kind enough to give me some free time checking out both the battery and the inverter with a volt meter under various loads, the tests pointed to the inverter cutting out while the voltage entering it was good and it was only powering 270 watts and it was then discovered that the inverter is overheating because the fan isn't spinning.

Glad I took you're advice rather than going and moaning at the guys who sold me the battery but it's so annoying that the inverter should pack in after 13 months and just out of warranty!

 

[KFH]

Re: How many watts can I power from the 12v cigarette lighter socket in my car please

Have a look at some consumer advice web sites. I am sure that under EU regulations and UK law retailers/suppliers have to give a 2 year g'tee on stuff.

 

[Robotstar5]

Re: How many watts can I power from the 12v cigarette lighter socket in my car please

As the inverter is out of warranty, might as well take it apart to find out if the fan has failed, if so a look round ebay etc will probably find a replacement. If the fan is OK, you could wire it direct to a 12 volt supply (assuming fan is 12 volt!) via a switch and fuse, just have to remember to turn it on and off.

 

[expeditionist]

Re: How many watts can I power from the 12v cigarette lighter socket in my car please

Thanks, I'm not having much luck getting a response from the seller as yet, nor from Mercury, the manufacturer.

I looked up that 2 year minimum warranty rule, it's not that simple unfortunately, see here: Martin Lewis' Blog? | The EU ?goods must last a minimum two years? rule is a myth

The inverter I bought is on sale for 2 and a half times the price of similar inverters - see here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Soft-Start-...4W/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1359648099&sr=8-10
but I wonder now what the point was in buying from the supposed market leader when similar ones are on sale for £30-£40.

I may take it apart and have a fiddle with it, but if no luck I'll just buy one from Maypole next time, I have some of their other products and they seem to work well.

 

[telectrix]

Re: How many watts can I power from the 12v cigarette lighter socket in my car please

maplins sometimes have offers on. i bought a 600watt inverter for £19.99 on offer.

 

[expeditionist]

Re: How many watts can I power from the 12v cigarette lighter socket in my car please

thanks, I'll bear that in mind

 

[Dan]

This is another good thread.