Power Inverter/Key machine nightmare!! Please help!!

Make sure you have an inverter that puts out modified-sine-wave (at least) rather than square wave.

also make CERTAIn that the power line from the battery TO the inverter is big enough.. to me 1/8" wire smells of 10 gauge, and that IIRR is NOT big enough.. making a guestimate here, they use 10 gauge from the alternator to the battery..which can easily run a long term 40 amp supply.. 40 amp * 13 v is 520 watts..

you need 1800?

assuming 13v supply, you are trying to pull about 150 AMPS thru that line.. for a 10 foot run, you probably need #1 wire.. which is bigger than normal battery cable..

another suggestion? if you are in a more open area.. Honda? or something close, used to make a 'small' size gas generator that was pretty quiet, and VERY easy to start..abour a foot by foot by 18" size..IIRR the one my friend had was 1500 watt..

--Shiva--

What I've found, the big problem with inverters is they draw a LOT of amps at the 12 volt side. Basic math. Watts equals volts times amps. Since you have 1/10 the volts on the DC side, you'll need 10 times the amps.

My suggestion is to get a small car battery, or a marine trolling battery. Put that battery in your work area, and put the inverter as close as possible to the battery. Use the shortest wires possible from the second battery to the inverter. Use the largest wires you can (even if it comes to buying a couple battery cables at the auto parts store). Use the existing wiring to keep the second battery charged as you drive.

The audible beeping is probably a sign that says the 12 volt supply isn't adequate. "low voltage alert". An inverter that "provides 18 amps" at 12 volts requires at least 180 amps of DC power coming in.

Needing to turn on the van to start the key machine sounds like not enough current getting to your inverter.

Replacing the cable with #1 or #0 gauge cable should solve the problem.

If not, put a battery in the back of the van and run your #1 cable between batteries. An isolator would work best between the 2 batteries, but isn't necessary.

Make sure the battery is about the same size as what's up front. They have glass matt batteries that put out less dangerous fumes as a gel cell or a conventional lead acid battery does.

From the back battery, run a heavy cable (as heavy as you can get) to your inverter.

Make sure you have just as heavy a cable for the negative terminals as well.

The cable price will make you cringe, but it'll be worth not having to ask your customer for power.

Your inverter should be well powerful enough to run that key machine.

I've had 2 vehicles where I had a heavy wire connecting front and back batteries without an inverter between the two. I've never had problems starting my key machine on a 1500 inverter with that set-up.

I'm in the midst of researching batteries and cables and fuses for my new van.

Sunshine Locksmith Team

prmirage wrote:

knew a man that had a Dodge.. 3 batteries...

something about the FIRST amp required 2 40 amp fuses to feed the SECOND amp that had 2-60 amp fuses.. funny thing was the stereo wasnt really THAT good.. lots of fried alternators tho.. ate one about every 3 months or so..

I like my generator too

--Shiva--

Yep, this really can not be recommended; sometimes batteries exhaust explosive gases or even spontaneously explode. I really would not like this :)

Ralph.

Thanks so much for you suggestions so far...I really am not fond of the two battery idea either. Too many horror stories. At any rate...Here's where I'm at.

I just bought a new battery at Autozone that is actually more suitable for the Van all together. It's a larger battery with 800 cca below 32f and 1000 cca above 32f. I had them put a load of 1000 at the store for

30 seconds and the volts dipped slightly but not below 11.5. Also, I searched hard for 1 gauge battery cable to no avail. All of the audio places carry it but only in amplifier installation kits at $250 a pop. Automotive places dont even carry it. Lowes carries #2 electrical wire but it is the thicker strands and working with it in this application would be a chore to say the least. I might as well try and bend conduit with my hands. So, I bought a set of jumper cables rated at #2. In speaking with the auto and audio guys, the difference between 1 and 2 would be so minute that it wouldn't make a difference. But, if I wanted, I can move my inverter closer towards the front of the van to lessen the distance, thus making the #2 more than enough.

I'm off to test this out so wish me luck! I'll post my results soon.

prmirage

You can get #1 or #0 cable on eBay by the foot.

(I've already researched.)

prmirage wrote:

ANY place that can build batter cables has it as well.. farm tractor supply places carry it.. and YES, its a pain to bend.. try 0000 if you really want fun.. BTDT as well.

--Shiva--

Tru a welding supply house. They sell it buy the foot and can crimp some nice lugs on the ends for you.

Well, my project is complete and I am happy to announce - SUCCESS! A slight chrip from the inverter on initial load and the key machine fires up to full RPM without even the smallest hickup!

So, asside from the motor I thought was the original problem ($85.99 @ Grainger) here is the total cost:

Battery - Autozone - 800cca/1000cca - $79.99 Booster Cables 2 gauge/20ft. - $39.99 Total: $119.98 (tax not included)

The booster cables worked out great. I drilled out the rivets holding the clamps on then used a larger drill bit to make the whole larger - Instant lugs. I ran the cable under the van, keeping clear of the exhaust pipe and cat converter fastening it in various places with heavy duty ties (doubled up). I still had cable to spare when I reached the battery. Actually a clean job if I do say so myself. All in all I got a new battery, new motor for my key machine and a whole bunch of great information from all of you.

Thank you so much for all the help!

prmirage

I think you're approaching this the wrong way. Consider getting a 12-volt DC motor of a suitable RPM for the key machine.

Your choice. I had one for many, many years. And at this moment have a garden tractor battery in the back for the inverter.