Do pos and neg matter on an inverter?

[Naio]

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?

[SaltiDawg]

Here's a guy selling one. Contact him and ask.

He has the original box - maybe the manual?

[Naio]

Thank you MrWizard, you are always so wonderfully kind :). Yes, good idea to clean it! I have allergies and will not want it blowing 20 year old dust around.

[MrWizard]

Yes the fuse is the positive

Might want to clean that fan, while you have it open

[Naio]

The wires are short, so it is hard to see much even with the case open.

Looks like the cord connects to two black wires inside, too!

One of them goes to the fuse. Is that the positive?

The other one does have a FAINT ridge in the housing... a hint that it could be negative. (Thank you, happycamper002, I didn't know that!)

What do y'all think?

Linky if pic is not showing up.




http://imgur.com/a/yu5AJ

[Naio]

Yep, MrWiz, that is the one! I opened it up last night but decided I needed daylight. I can probably get to it this afternoon.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Toggle switch Tripp Lite inverters were pure square wave.

Suppose a person has a digital multimeter...

The inverter is disconnected

Setting the meter on continuity/diode

And checking across the two wires or terminals

Would the meter readout be the same?

I don't know. I'm asking...

It would be neat if a bunch of forum partcipants tried this on their own inverters and a finding arrived at. Yeah yeah most inverters are clearly polarity marked but what if...?

My Samlex is 500 miles north and my Trace is 1440 miles to the south dang it...

[wa8yxm]

It only matters if you do not want to let the magic smoke out.. Hook it up backwards and the magic smoke may escae, and as you know, that is not good.

[MrWizard]

does it look like this one



i think you will find that it has red and black wires on the inside
making it easy to trace with a meter or visually

[Naio]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
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?

It's a 300, and has a rocker switch but I think it's red. Why do you want to know? You got me curious!

[happycamper002]

Since you said that both input leads are black a foolproof in determining the polarity is by checking the input wires.

Usually, the neg lead has a ribbed finish on the surface of the insulation. Look closely and feel the wire and you will see the "line" or rib that runs in its entire length.

Please let us know how you make out.

Just a follow up:

If still in doubt. . .connect a diode with the positive lead hooked up to the neg ribbed lead before testing with battery power. It will let a pass thru current--meaning the polarity is correct. If wrong no current will pass through.

Having said this I assume that you know what you are doing and not hold me responsible for any consequences.

Good luck

[MEXICOWANDERER]

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?

[Lwiddis]

Only slightly. Oh, a bunch!

[Gdetrailer]

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!

[BFL13]

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.