Do pos and neg matter on an inverter?

Not an answer just a question. What kind of on/off switch does it have?

Metal lever toggle switch?

Or a black plastic rocker switch?

Does it say Trip Lite 400 on the front?

Only slightly. Oh, a bunch!

Naio wrote:
So I got this old actual-metal tripplite inverter at a garage sale, with a broken 12v plug. I was gonna patch on a plug to it to test it out (or I could just pin the wire ends to terminals) but the input wires are both black.

Does it natter which is which? IOW, how hard should I try to ID these wires?

YES!!

Polarity for pretty much ANY DC (DIRECT CURRENT) powered item (like 12V battery) is extremely important!

The only real exception would be old school incadescent light bulbs..

Sorry to say this, but perhaps this is something you should take to a professional electronics tech..

But if you feel brave, post the MODEL NUMBER of the inverter and someone may be able to find the information (although you CAN do an internet search yourself).. I find DOGPILE.COM often works better than Google and other search engines..

I am providing a link to DOGPILE to make this easier for you..

DOGPILE.COM

HINT, use tripplite and manual in your search along with the MODEL NUMBER..

And for goodness sake, FUSE THE 12V WIRE CLOSE TO THE BATTERY!

The broken 12v plug is like a cig lighter plug and the wires are still attached to the inverter? Then you can tell which black wire is which by where they go to on the plug--centre pin or the sides.

Most inverters I have seen/had, say if you reverse polarity the input it will fry the inverter - no second chances. It is not like a converter output where it has fuses for that.

Thanks, guys. I don't want to let the smoke out :B

It's definitely an inverter. It says inverter on it, and has a couple ac outlets.

I can't find a manual online (tripp lite pv0536) but I can see red and black wires thru the vents, do I think if I get it open I will be able to ID which is which. And label them!

Yes!!
I fried a 2000 watt inverter in an instant when I mixed up the leads.

pianotuna wrote:
YES it matters. Get the polarity wrong and you will let out the magic blue smoke.

And there is no way to re-inject that magic smoke

YES it matters. Get the polarity wrong and you will let out the magic blue smoke.

Yes it matters...sounds more like a UPS, but thats just a guess. Post a couple photos...