How many amps does my inverter provide

opnspaces wrote:
Thanks for continuing the discussion Landyacht and Gdetrailer. I have a clarifying question.

I do use one of the mentioned plug in adapters to charge my phone while driving. And yes over time the plug vibrates out and I have to push it back into the socket. And I agree this is not the best solution.

I'm a bit confused though on the use of the USB port. In my rear power panel I used something like the picture below with the power wires attached to the rear. Are you guys saying that using this type of plug is also bad and should be avoided?
Link to plug I used

No, the "bad" discussion is is not with the "adapter" you are using, LandY's beef is with using a regular cig lighter plug in..

Here is a pix of the back of your 5V adapter..



What you selected is not the same as a cig adapter and is a permanent mounted hard wired device.

What I will say though with your device they show the connection can be made with slide on connectors which you crimp the wire in the connector then slide the connector onto the device..

To me, those connectors are far, far worse of a connection since you now add a handmade crimp and a friction slide fit of the connector.. In your case, low enough wattage, most likely will not present a problem but once again adds potential of issues down the road.

IF you have a good soldering iron and some rosin core solder for wire and some heatshrink wire I would skip the slide on connector route and directly solder the wires to the device if the terminals offer a small hole to thread the wire through. Gives better mechanical and electrical connection and results in best reliability.

I would also suggest setting your outlet up with a on/off switch or at a minimum connect to a switched power source that only supplies power when vehicle key is on (ACC or Run).. Reason for this is this little outlet while it looks harmless WILL become an additional small Phantom draw from the battery.. If the vehicle sits for a long enough time the extra draw combined the vehicles electronics draw can flatten the starting battery..

That is why most newer vehicles now manage the cig lighter power ports via Body Control Module and will shut it off after 10 or 15 minutes after key off..