Power Adaptors

Power adaptors are otherwise known as power inverters. The device does not come as a “standard” from factories, and is only considered as an accessory. With the many benefits that it provides, especially during road trips or vacations, a power inverter is perhaps one of the most essential and handy accessories that you can add for your car.

Power adaptors allow the use of electrical equipments in the car that need an AC power supply. These adaptors can provide up to 300 watts AC power from any “12V” DC source. They also come with plugs that connect directly into the car’s cigarette lighter. Power adaptors allow the connection of electronics like laptops and even gaming devices; these units are not at all expensive, yet gives numerous advantages for its users.

Picking The Right Power Adaptor

Choosing the correct power adaptor actually depends on the function that it will be performing. Will it be used every day or only on occasions? If the adaptor will be used frequently, then it is better to hard-wire the adaptor into your car. This means that you will have to use direct connections to the car’s battery.

You may also want to think about getting a model that has more than a single outlet for extra convenience. Hard-wired installations are also a great idea if your cigarette lighter is oftentimes used for other equipments such as cell phones or portable CD players.

Conversely, if the power adaptor is only going to be used occasionally, the plug of the inverter will be your best friend. You can use it to connect into the cigarette lighter when using the device. This will also provide you with the liberty of utilizing the adaptor in different vehicles that you may use. Additionally, you can remove it from the car when not being used.

Determining The Right Power Adaptor Size

Deciding on the most appropriate size of the adaptor that fits your need just requires some thought concerning how you will be using it. First, identify the number of outlets that you would want –inverters can generally carry one to five outlets, so choose the best one that is suitable for your need.

Second, know if whether you want a “hard-wired” permanently installed adaptor or the portability and flexibility of “cigarette lighter” adaptors. A general “rule of thumb” is that those exceeding 150 watts loads will need a direct battery-connected adaptor.

Lastly, know what the “current draw” of the device you will be using in the car. Standard small appliances may be used with the majority of converters. If you will be utilizing “heavy-draw” devices such as big power tools or big televisions that are more than 13”, then a larger-capacity adaptor is needed and must be directly connected to the car’s battery.

Installing Power Adaptors

When connecting small-load power adaptors (150 watts or less current load), you may connect the adaptor by using “cigarette lighter” adaptors. This is a great way if the adaptor will not be using big equipments or will be used only on occasions.

For heavy-load power adaptors (more than 150 watts), the adaptor should be directly connected to the car battery. This will need a four-gauge power cable, and draws power from the positive terminal of the battery directly. A circuit breaker or in-line fuse must be installed. Without one, accidental short-circuits may pose fire-hazard and destroy the adaptor, and possibly the car as well.

Using power rings can make simpler the cable connection to its power source. Take off the nut securing the positive terminal of the battery to the battery post; insert the “power lead” terminal over the “bolt” that secures its battery terminal to the post and change the nut. Don’t attach the “power lead terminal” directly to the post of the battery.

Power adaptors are useful accessories that allow its users to use electrical devices in the car. These little devices are reasonably priced and come in different number of outlets.