Hey,
I'm trying to install a 400 watt coleman inverter into the middle main vents since my fan is out of commission anyhow. Does anyone have any suggestions as to the wiring. On the top of the inverter it says 800 watss peak surge 3.5 amps. Could a small 18 gauge wire carry this sort of load? There is a on/off button on the invertor so i would naturally only turn it on at times of need.

Now if anyone can help me get through the wiring issues my second q is if this sort of load will fry anythign or put an unnessary load on the car's alternator(1982 240 dl...with 215,000 miles:))

Thanks a bunch,

Well i was thinking of powering my pda or laptop in there. I probably will need a really good inverter so as not to fry the things.

As far as the fan goes it's probably not worth fixing. Everything is dead: Heater core, fan(very noisy and makes grinding noises), a/c system.....not worth it for me

thanks for the help!

Don't have any advice on what you want to set up, just a little info from the field.
I often run a 300W inverter off my cigarette lighter. I know that is way more than I need to charge my razor or cell phone, but it's the inverter I have. No ill effects.
--
Andy in St. Paul. '89 244 147K mi, '91 745 Regina 202K, '87 245 lost to rust at 225K

3.5A is the amperage at 115V. For the hook up wire, you need to figure the amp draw at 12V. That would be approximately 35A. Off the top of my head, I'd say you need #10 or possibly #8. Don't forget a 40A fuse in there

Here's a guide
http://www.windsun.com/Hardware/Wire_Table.htm

Sure it's going to put an unneccesary load on the alternator. Inverters are not free energy devices. If you have a 55 Amp alternator and you're running the lights, wipers and radio, there might not be much left to run the inverter at full power. It would still work, just be drawing off the battery while the alternator is putting out it's maximum trying to keep up. What the heck do you need an inverter for anyway?

--
Volvo Farmer:

20 Volvos '58-'91

yes it's an unnecessary load, and you'll be trying to put 115 volts through that 18 gauge wire at 400 watts / 3.5 amps. It's probably a 12 volt automotive wire. This is not done for the interior environment. The Volvo climate system is pretty good and pretty efficient (for heat) unless it's busted of course, but I advise you to deal with the issue with OEM R+R procedures.

an 82 will have the 55 amp alt and the usual poor wiring unless previously repaired.

do the fan job - it's a PITA but it is much better to have working stuff than to try to avoid the situation by putting in an aftermarket. Is it dead, or noisy (mine is) or do you have no heat?

You can put in a larger output alternator IF you upgrade your wiring. Any higher current/voltage setup requires relays. This is for lighting or audio upgrades, where you'll be happier with the results.

--
Stef -- 1981 245 B21A SU M46 'fat chrome' roofrack 319000km my volvo pages