I need help with an electric issue.

[Reefering1]

I believe you, I just don't understand why this suddenly started happening.

Bestek 500 watt

Me either, the Amazon links stopped working- idk why, other sites still work.

So it appears there are (2)40a fuses on the back of the inverter, can you verify this? (Pretty sure 40a is orange fuses) If so that's all the protection it needs. Remove the 15a fuse on the battery lead entirely. It states to expect only 150w available on the 15a fuse on cigarette lighter adapter.

Make sure your 12v power wires are at least as large diameter as the wires coming out of inverter. looks like 12gauge, i would use 10guage.

 

[Dom]

Me either, the Amazon links stopped working- idk why, other sites still work.

So it appears there are (2)40a fuses on the back of the inverter, can you verify this? (Pretty sure 40a is orange fuses) If so that's all the protection it needs. Remove the 15a fuse on the battery lead entirely. It states to expect only 150w available on the 15a fuse on cigarette lighter adapter.

Make sure your 12v power wires are at least as large diameter as the wires coming out of inverter. looks like 12gauge, i would use 10guage.

So the breaker off of the battery is not necessary?

My wiring is 12 gauge throughout.

 

[BeanAnimal]

The deep cycle battery is likely capable of 100A — it looks like the 15A fuse is to protect the cars lighter circuit, which is most likely 15A bus or blade slo-blo fuse.

If you are building things like this, you really should have a decent meter and current clamp. While 12V does not sound dangerous, 100A or a shorted marine battery can generate tremendous amounts of heat — as in welding a wrench to a car frame if shorted, etc.

On that note. Without exception, positive terminal is always hooked up before negative and negative is always unhooked before positive. You never… ever put a wrench on a positive battery connection if the negative is connected…. Ever. You never wear a ring when working on batteries — wrench, ring, accidental short, 100 cold cranking amps through heating element on finger (the ring) —severe finger burn or worse (think the worst).

 

[Reefering1]

So the breaker off of the battery is not necessary?

My wiring is 12 gauge throughout.

Did you look at it? Does it have the 2 fuses on the inverter itself? If so, a additional fuse, at the battery, only protects the wire between. Doesn't really matter if they are 2 feet away from each other, would be nice to have if you have 30' of wire between them. And in that case, a 80@ fuse would be appropriate for that 500w inverter.

 

[jsmkmavity]

Breakers used at or near capacity will overheat internally weakening the metal inside that makes it trip. It will trip, get reset, then trip again/get reset again, and will continue to trip easier and quicker with even less load. The same thing happens on gfi outlets. They work fine for years then one day start to trip every time you use your hair dryer.

 

[jsmkmavity]

Do you have a test meter with ohm setting to check resistance?

 

[Dom]

Did you look at it? Does it have the 2 fuses on the inverter itself? If so, a additional fuse, at the battery, only protects the wire between. Doesn't really matter if they are 2 feet away from each other, would be nice to have if you have 30' of wire between them. And in that case, a 80@ fuse would be appropriate for that 500w inverter.

Yes, I looked. It does have 2 fuses on the inverter. Looking at the drawing (I'm reluctant to call it a schematic) I see what you mean when you say that additional breaker only protects the wire.

 

[Dom]

The deep cycle battery is likely capable of 100A — it looks like the 15A fuse is to protect the cars lighter circuit, which is most likely 15A bus or blade slo-blo fuse.

If you are building things like this, you really should have a decent meter and current clamp. While 12V does not sound dangerous, 100A or a shorted marine battery can generate tremendous amounts of heat — as in welding a wrench to a car frame if shorted, etc.

On that note. Without exception, positive terminal is always hooked up before negative and negative is always unhooked before positive. You never… ever put a wrench on a positive battery connection if the negative is connected…. Ever. You never wear a ring when working on batteries — wrench, ring, accidental short, 100 cold cranking amps through heating element on finger (the ring) —severe finger burn or worse (think the worst).

These are good safety tips, and I thank you for sharing them. I never worried about getting injured working with a 12 volt battery. But I see now that I should be more cautious.

 

[Dom]

Do you have a test meter with ohm setting to check resistance?

Which points would you like me to check?