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Power Inverter

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  • 28-09-2008 3:12pm
    #1
    pa990
    Registered Users Posts: 3,883 ✭✭✭


    I got a Power inverter in Aldi / Lidl a while back, if it is plugged to the Cigar lighter of a car, and then i have my TV or what ever plugged into the inverter.. do you still need to add a grounding wire, or will the cigar lighter do the grounding for you ?


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    #2
    Alun
    Registered Users Posts: 21,466 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    pa990 wrote: »
    I got a Power inverter in Aldi / Lidl a while back, if it is plugged to the Cigar lighter of a car, and then i have my TV or what ever plugged into the inverter.. do you still need to add a grounding wire, or will the cigar lighter do the grounding for you ?
    Not unless you have a very long wire attached to the metalwork of your car attached to a ground spike :D Actually, being serious for a minute, I'm not sure .. I suppose you are in a way, in as much as your car, insulated from the ground by the rubber in your tyres forms a frame of reference within which you are "earthed". (assuming the earth wire of the 3 pin plug on the inverter is connected to chassis ground, which it may or may not be).


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    #3
    VH
    Closed Accounts Posts: 690 ✭✭✭VH


    you don't need a ground as there are 4 big rubber insulators between you and ground


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    #4
    pa990
    Registered Users Posts: 3,883 ✭✭✭pa990


    thanks.. I yas just worried incase i ended up blowing the lap top or worse still screwing up the cars electric's


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    #5
    eringobragh
    Registered Users Posts: 3,668 ✭✭✭eringobragh


    Think I've the same inverter as OP, there's a little wing nut on the back on the inverter with an earth symbol. Never had to use the earth OP and I've used it for the laptop a couple of times.


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    #6
    atlantean
    Registered Users Posts: 556 ✭✭✭atlantean


    pa990 wrote: »
    i have my TV or what ever plugged into the inverter..

    What wattage is the TV? What wattage output is the inverter? Sounds a lot to be running off a cigarette lighter socket!


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    #7
    davers
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6 ✭davers


    be very careful with cheap version inverters i have actually seem them melt from being used by 2 heavy a source..if its for a ps2/3 or xbox those units pull massive power..again just be careful and read the ratings on the box..


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    #8
    atlantean
    Registered Users Posts: 556 ✭✭✭atlantean


    Most cheap inverters in my experience have a very low output and can easily be overloaded!


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    #9
    davers
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6 ✭davers


    yep..agreed i believe the proper one to hold the right load on a ps2 or xbox is about €100..its not that dear for nothing!!


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