Inverter doesnt turn on by itself, i must hold the pwr btn for 3 secs, bypassable??

[WarDemon666]

I didnt take it apart yet, but its a 400 watt Eliminator from canadian tire...

Will it be possible to make it turn on automatically? To turn it on i have to hold the power button for about 3 seconds until the LED display says "888"

I was thinking of using a capacitor and a relay, making it hold the button for 3 seconds as soon as the ignition is on... but there might be a more simple way...

anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[dug777]

hire a stripper to do it for ya.

 

[WarDemon666]

Originally posted by: dug777
hire a stripper to do it for ya.

I agree that this is a simpler way, but it isnt efficient.

Anyone else?

 

[DaWhim]

now you know you can't trust canadian....

 

[Raduque]

I have a power inverter with a flip-switch. If I set it to "On" and turn on the ignition/acc (or start the car) the inverter trips it's protection circuit for some odd reason, and emits an extremely piercing high-pitched whine. So I just turn on the car/ignition first, then flip the switch. I reccomend you do the same to avoid killing something.

 

[Eli]

The reason they have a seperate switch is because when you start your car the voltage will sag and it will probably turn off anyway...

But it shouldn't be a big deal to just wire it directly.

All of the little 75-100W ones are just on whenever they're plugged into the cigarette lighter.

 

[WarDemon666]

Originally posted by: Eli
The reason they have a seperate switch is because when you start your car the voltage will sag and it will probably turn off anyway...

But it shouldn't be a big deal to just wire it directly.

All of the little 75-100W ones are just on whenever they're plugged into the cigarette lighter.

I tried holding the power button on, and not letting go, it didnt turn on... so i cant just "close the switch"

btw, my inverter doesnt have a flip switch, its a button you can press and let go...

My idea is to use a capacitor and a resistor, with a relay, that will make the contacts connect for roughly 3 seconds and then let go.. but i dont know of what values, can someone give me a hand?


Thanks...

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: WarDemon666

Originally posted by: Eli
The reason they have a seperate switch is because when you start your car the voltage will sag and it will probably turn off anyway...

But it shouldn't be a big deal to just wire it directly.

All of the little 75-100W ones are just on whenever they're plugged into the cigarette lighter.

I tried holding the power button on, and not letting go, it didnt turn on... so i cant just "close the switch"

btw, my inverter doesnt have a flip switch, its a button you can press and let go...

My idea is to use a capacitor and a resistor, with a relay, that will make the contacts connect for roughly 3 seconds and then let go.. but i dont know of what values, can someone give me a hand?

Thanks...

You're going to need a bit more than a capacitor and a resistor to make the relay turn on for 3 seconds and then shut off.

Just buy another inverter with a normal power switch and wire that one up instead.

 

[TitanDiddly]

Either shorting the power switch or installing a normal(maintained, as opposed to momentary) switch and leave it on might work.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: PhasmatisNox
Either shorting the power switch or installing a normal(maintained, as opposed to momentary) switch and leave it on might work.

That's a good idea.. Will it work when the button is always on, or do you have to release it after 3 seconds?

 

[WarDemon666]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: PhasmatisNox
Either shorting the power switch or installing a normal(maintained, as opposed to momentary) switch and leave it on might work.

That's a good idea.. Will it work when the button is always on, or do you have to release it after 3 seconds?

I have to release it after 3 seconds once the "888" shows on the lcd...

I think im going to try a capacitor and a resistor..

10K resisistor and maybe 2200uf capacitor might work..

its going to let current flow until the cap fills and itll let go,,, im not an electronics major but this seems doable..

 

[OrganizedChaos]

a cap and maybe a resistor is the way to go. go to the mp3car.com forums and find the guy that did this with a 7 in. lilliput touchscreen. he seems to know about rigging things up like this

 

[WarDemon666]

Originally posted by: OrganizedChaos
a cap and maybe a resistor is the way to go. go to the mp3car.com forums and find the guy that did this with a 7 in. lilliput touchscreen. he seems to know about rigging things up like this

Ive been searching, found a few diagrams, dont know which one to use...

Also, i asked an electrician at work, he told me its possible to get a timed relay with a potentiometer on it