Inverter Question

[henw]

The parrallax converter/charger in my AS has a flip open front panel. Sitting next to the fuses are positive and negative lugs from the batteries.
They are of a size that could be easily gripped by the jumper cable type connectors that come with some inverters. Any thoughts on using this route for periodic inverter hookup?

[markdoane]

I wouldn't even think of it. Too high a risk of shorting to the converter chassis or other wiring.

Better to wire it in permanent. At the least, run a positive wire from the converter to a remote, easily accessed lug, so you can attach the clamps without having a shower of sparks. Also add a fuse or breaker.

[Wabbiteer]

Clamp on leads are attended-use only, never let them out of your sight. The grip is so little surface area that high resistance connection is likely and you can/will melt a lot of plastic fast if the inverter gets a work out... fused direct wire, don't trust small inverters internal fusing; put a fast acting inline fuse in it...

[lewster]

The ONLY place I would connect an inverter is directly to the battery posts or to a set of dedicated lugs that come directly from the battery posts. Calculate the maximum amp draw from the inverter spec sheet and add a fuse to the positive lead for circuit protection. Anything else is a possible disaster in the making, unless you're using one of those small types that plug in to a 12VDC power socket (like a cigarette lighter plug). They are rated for 15 amps MAX. and won't power much.