WARNING 12 volt inverters

I presume you're talking about the little device you plug into a 12-volt power outlet (aka cigarette lighter) on an automobile? I've been using one of those for many years to recharge camera, computer, cell phone, and satellite phone batteries and never had a problem. Maybe I've just been lucky?! It actually blew a fuse on the vehicle? Interesting, thanks for sharing this.

There are a host of risks associated with inverters and how they get used, but so many people just don't want to know.

Yes, so many people have just been lucky.

By far best if you can charge direct from 12 volts, and most battery powered devices can be charged direct from 12 volts these days without the extra complications and risks of an inverter.

One thing that is sort of inverter related and sort of not is the ability and suitability of factory installed ciggy lighter sockets.

Originall the cigarette lighter socket was designed to deliver the fair amount of current requited to light a ciggy but only for a very short time and it was never designed as a high quality 12 volt accessory connection.

more recently they have been added as accessory sockets, but the wiring is invariably light and they always share fuses with other functions.

It is a simple and wise choice to fit some directly wired and independently fused accessory sockets to any touring vehicle.

cheers

The warning you read was more than likely a blanket warning just in case....

No different than replacing a fuse in anything else, people use to do it a home all the time, BUT you have to make sure the circuit is dead, with an inverter just isolated to 12v feed.

People replace fuses in cars all the time and some even put a BIGGER one in so it won't blow again or as quickly (tongue in cheek).

Please don't read many more fine prints, or you will stop doing everything, everything in life has fine print and warnings, it comes down to common sense and if not sure leave it alone and seek professional help... LOL

When replacing circuit breakers always make sure you use the same rating, type and with the same function.

So did you replace the fuse?

Quote "Took my inverter on a recent trip. but it "died" while charging a rechargable camera battery and taking out a "hard to locate" fuse."

More info is required. Is this a large unit you were talked into purchasing "in case you needed to power a large load?" You really should not purchase a Mack for shopping because you may want to carry a large load some day.