Is this going to hurt my car's electrical system? (Home audio running off a power inverter)

KingNothing

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Apr 6, 2002
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So I'm going to a drive-in theater this Friday with some friends. The current plan is to bring two couches in a truck, and watch the movie while sitting on the couches. The drive-in theater has two speakers on either side of every "stall", but from what I've been told they're not all that great. The theater also broadcasts a signal on 88.1 FM.

I have a 300W Tripp-Lite power inverter for my car (1995 Geo Prizm) and my friend has a shelf system with a radio receiver and two speaker/sub satellites. I was thinking I'd stick his system in my car and test to see if I could run it for 2 hours off the battery (we're seeing XMen 2) and still be able to start my car.

My question is, will doing this test and then possibly doing it for real hurt my car's electrical system any?

Also supposing that my car can support the load for 2 hours, any idea how much driving it would take to charge the battery back up?
 

KingNothing

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Apr 6, 2002
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Originally posted by: Cyberian
I don't see how you could do any damage except to maybe run down the battery.

Which could then be jumped and charged back up by driving around, correct?
 

Cyberian

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Jun 17, 2000
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Originally posted by: KingNothing
Originally posted by: Cyberian
I don't see how you could do any damage except to maybe run down the battery.

Which could then be jumped and charged back up by driving around, correct?
That's what I believe.

 

KingNothing

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Apr 6, 2002
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Originally posted by: MacBaine
bring some extension cords and plug in somewhere

Definitely a possibility, but I've never been there and I can't count on there being outlets close enough to be useful.

Of course we could go to a regular theater, but most of us have never been to a drive-in so we're going to give that a try. :)
 

TonyG

Platinum Member
Feb 12, 2000
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Just get a couple of extra car batteries, charge them up and use them to power the inverter off of.