20090718_2332 Inverter switch and power strip that solved several problems

            PROBLEM:
On road trips I use an inverter to provide 120-volt AC power to several devices: charger for cellular phone, charger for my camera batteries, charger for the batteries in my digital storage devices, charger for a laptop computer (rare), and AC power cord for a portable CD player (also rare). An extension cord plugged into the inverter allows use of three things simultaneously. That system had the following shortcomings:
1. Plugging something into the extension cord or unplugging it from the extension cord was inconvenient because it required the use two hands (everything was loose).
2. Plugging something in or unplugging it was difficult because of the tight sockets at the end of the extension cord.
3. The extension cord added way too much unused cord to the crowded cabin.
4. Having two or three things plugged in created a messy arrangement of cords.
5. The inverter's cord was in the way of my trash basket when plugged into the 12-volt outlet at the bottom of the dashboard.
6. The inverter's cooling fan made an annoying sound, so I wanted an easy way to turn off the inverter without having to bother with unplugging and without having to use two hands.

The challenge was to change the system to eliminate or lessen these problems.

SOLUTION:
These changes eliminated the shortcomings:
1. A power strip replaced the extension cord, eliminating the excess cord problem. The strip is screwed to the car's home-made plywood floor right behind the center console, where it is easy to reach. Plugging a cord into it or unplugging a cord from it requires only one hand.
2. The neat alignment of power strip sockets helped lessen the cord mess and allowed use of more devices simultaneously.
3. Lengthening the inverter's cord allowed me to plug it in at the rear 12-volt outlet, eliminating the wastebasket blockage problem.
4. Installing an external on-off switch allows me to turn off the inverter---and thus its noisy fan---without fumbling with the inverter itself (which is now stored out of the way under the plywood floor). The switch is screwed to the plywood floor near the power strip, where I can use one finger---even while driving---to operate it. A guard over the switch protects it from damage and accidental operation.

UPDATE (October 2010):
This system has been superseded by a simpler one. A new, smaller, inverter is plugged into the dashboard outlet (I figured out a way to keep the wastebasket  from getting in the way of the outlet.) The custom inverter switch (pictured) is no longer needed because I can turn the inverter off by unplugging it at the dashboard. 12-volt wiring running from the rear of the car to the inverter is no longer needed and was removed. The power strip is plugged into the inverter as before. The Sienna's stock console was replaced by a home-made one that provides lots of storage space. The inverter is now inside that console.



   

Taken on: July 18, 2009

Tags:

vehicle

car

mini-van

Toyota

Sienna

equipment

gear

electricity

power

charging

photo

switch

power strip

home-made

custom-made

DIY

convenience

road trip

Lightroom

850h « less

Sets appears in: • Electricity • .Vehicles: Power inverter

Groups appears in: • DIY • Life in a Van

Stats: 2,940 views / 3 comments

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