Semi-permanent inverter connection in boot?
Discussion
I want to have a semi-permanent connection for a 12 V inverter in my car. This would be just for charging items (laptop etc.) when the car is on the move during long road trips, not on battery alone.
The car has battery in the boot and my thinking is that by having a permanent battery connection with the appropriate quick-release coupling, I can attach or remove the inverter in 30 seconds or so, but safely leave the battery connection in place at all times. I'd also figure out some screwless way of attaching the inverter to the seat back or boot floor.
Does this sound feasible? Are there kits for this? I saw some, but they seem aimed at much bigger setups, I'm only looking at something like the 375 or 500 VA Victron Phoenix.
The car has battery in the boot and my thinking is that by having a permanent battery connection with the appropriate quick-release coupling, I can attach or remove the inverter in 30 seconds or so, but safely leave the battery connection in place at all times. I'd also figure out some screwless way of attaching the inverter to the seat back or boot floor.
Does this sound feasible? Are there kits for this? I saw some, but they seem aimed at much bigger setups, I'm only looking at something like the 375 or 500 VA Victron Phoenix.
Sounds perfectly feasible, in fact I have a Victron permanently installed myself. My car is also a camper van.
The Victron has an option for remote switching so is ideal for a permanent installation. The switch terminal can either have 1 terminal connected to a live (i.e. ignition or aux live) so can be switched with the car ignition or simply have a switch connected between the terminals for manual control. I used a switch that's off in the middle, switched with ignition in position 1 and just on in position 2 but I have a leisure battery and solar charging.
The main thing is choosing the correct location, it can get quite warm and there's a fan that prevents certain orientations.
If you're mounting it on the boot carpet could you use a plate of aluminium behind the carpet with a couple of bolts going through the carpet, similar to the brackets you sometimes used to get on aftermarket CD changers in the 90s
However I'm actually thinking of a laptop upgrade to a MacBook Air with M1 processor which has both a ridiculous battery life and can be charged via USBC so I'm not sure I'd bother with the inverter nowadays and may end up removing it at some point in the future
The Victron has an option for remote switching so is ideal for a permanent installation. The switch terminal can either have 1 terminal connected to a live (i.e. ignition or aux live) so can be switched with the car ignition or simply have a switch connected between the terminals for manual control. I used a switch that's off in the middle, switched with ignition in position 1 and just on in position 2 but I have a leisure battery and solar charging.
The main thing is choosing the correct location, it can get quite warm and there's a fan that prevents certain orientations.
If you're mounting it on the boot carpet could you use a plate of aluminium behind the carpet with a couple of bolts going through the carpet, similar to the brackets you sometimes used to get on aftermarket CD changers in the 90s
However I'm actually thinking of a laptop upgrade to a MacBook Air with M1 processor which has both a ridiculous battery life and can be charged via USBC so I'm not sure I'd bother with the inverter nowadays and may end up removing it at some point in the future
Edited by JimbobVFR on Wednesday 2nd March 14:53
Edited by JimbobVFR on Wednesday 2nd March 14:55
I realise it's not answering what you say you want but do you really need 240v? Inverters have significant losses (hence the heat & the fan required to cool the unit) & then you're just stepping down to 19v-ish again for the laptop charger.
Would a charger with a 12v input suffice?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/12-volt-laptop-charger/s?...
Would a charger with a 12v input suffice?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/12-volt-laptop-charger/s?...
JimbobVFR said:
.......
However I'm actually thinking of a laptop upgrade to a MacBook Air with M1 processor which has both a ridiculous battery life and can be charged via USBC so I'm not sure I'd bother with the inverter nowadays and may end up removing it at some point in the future
Just check that the feed can support the wattage requirement.However I'm actually thinking of a laptop upgrade to a MacBook Air with M1 processor which has both a ridiculous battery life and can be charged via USBC so I'm not sure I'd bother with the inverter nowadays and may end up removing it at some point in the future
Edited by JimbobVFR on Wednesday 2nd March 14:53
Edited by JimbobVFR on Wednesday 2nd March 14:55
Macbook M1's power supply is way more beefy than the stuff that comes with the iPad Pro etc etc. 65 or 85 W instead 20 or 30.
Jenny Tailor said:
Just check that the feed can support the wattage requirement.
Macbook M1's power supply is way more beefy than the stuff that comes with the iPad Pro etc etc. 65 or 85 W instead 20 or 30.
I already have a PD charger that will charge an M1 Mac when off or just about keep up under use. TBH with the battery life my mates getting from his new Air I probably wouldn't need a charge over a weekend camping.Macbook M1's power supply is way more beefy than the stuff that comes with the iPad Pro etc etc. 65 or 85 W instead 20 or 30.
The other option is an iPad which probably makes more sense for use in the van but I suspect I'd get more use out of a laptop the rest of the time.
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