Installing 240V inverter in engine bay in Hiace...

[cat007]

Hey all

The inverter I have is bloody loud and I don't want it in the cabin/van any more.

I'm thinking of mounting it in the engine bay somewhere.

I was thinking of mounting it on the drivers side of the engine bay. Bolting it to the side of what I guess you'd call the wheel arch.

I was going to make, out of alloy sheet, an enclosure for it to stop water splashing on it etc, while still allowing for plenty of air flow.

The only question I have is - should I? I mean, the inverter wont be running while driving around - and I'll be able to stop direct splashes pretty easy and effectively with the enclosure/shield - but what about moisture in the air? That's something I wont be able to avoid and is probably going to be the real killer?

What do people think?

Oh yeah its for the Hiace by the way

Cheers

[Bling]

Unless you go driving in 1m deep puddles I doubt water gets to the top of the engine. So stick it somewhere up that high. Only issue then would be radiant heat from the engine.

[Mr.Phreak]

I wouldn't

[cat007]

Unless you go driving in 1m deep puddles I doubt water gets to the top of the engine. So stick it somewhere up that high. Only issue then would be radiant heat from the engine.

I had a look after driving in that really heavy rain in the weekend. I couldn't see anything wet up high. I was counting on the aluminium box/enclosure on acting like a bit of a heat shield. Although the inverter wont be running while the engine is on (normally) so engine heat shouldn't be a big factor (except for straight after a long drive I suppose?)

[cat007]

I wouldn't

Because......?

[Mr.Phreak]

It's most likely not designed for it, especially since your other thread has claims of being parked in -5 degree weather.

The reason it's loud is because they get hot, and you're probably aware of what happens to hot things in colder ambient temps

[sergei]

-5 Degrees is fine for a piece of electronics.
What is not fine is 100+ temperature that it will heat soak (when you stop driving and start the unit) and 240V and moisture in there when you start it on cold.
I also think you cannot put it inside closed box as it needs air for cooling.
You could put it in the air filter area under the driver's seat, or battery compartment area, depending how big it is..

[cat007]

-5 Degrees is fine for a piece of electronics.
What is not fine is 100+ temperature that it will heat soak (when you stop driving and start the unit) and 240V and moisture in there when you start it on cold.
I also think you cannot put it inside closed box as it needs air for cooling.
You could put it in the air filter area under the driver's seat, or battery compartment area, depending how big it is..

Battery compartment is full of - batteries

Air filter area is also filled with, air filter stuff....

I was thinking of making a tunnel type box - so that only the front and rear are exposed as the fans suck from one side through to the other....

[matt dunn]

i wouldn't either.

have seen enough electronic inverters, reducers, cherge equalisers etc damaged due to condensation inside them from exposure to the elements,
even when mounted well up under decks etc out of the way of direct water.

[GTCRSHR]

do you live in a van ?

[Mr.Phreak]

-5 Degrees is fine for a piece of electronics.

Was more leaning towards the condensation thing (as Matt pointed out)

[cat007]

-5 Degrees is fine for a piece of electronics.

Was more leaning towards the condensation thing (as Matt pointed out)

bugger

I 'really' cant handle it being inside the van - I swear the fans sound like a 747 in the cabin lol

[sleeektoy]

In ausie when i had a hiace we had ours in behind one of the panels in the back of the van by the rear wheel arch, wasnt that noisy. Although we had power points in front and rear coming off that mounted to the side panels too. Sparky owned it before us had done a good job, also added a switch/external waterproof plug so we could plug in if it was available and not use the inverter.

[cat007]

In ausie when i had a hiace we had ours in behind one of the panels in the back of the van by the rear wheel arch, wasnt that noisy. Although we had power points in front and rear coming off that mounted to the side panels too. Sparky owned it before us had done a good job, also added a switch/external waterproof plug so we could plug in if it was available and not use the inverter.

hmmm - could do - although, that's where my head will be when watching telly etc....

I might move the inverter around tonight and see where is the quietest while keeping it inside the van....

[sergei]

Have you considered a different inverter?

[cat007]

I have thought about it. And if I can't find a solution as to where to mount it I might have to look into a better one that has quieter fans

I guess this one was cheap for a reason

Lol

[Mr.Phreak]

I guess this one was cheap for a reason

Lol

Is it one of those dodgy plastic ones that the fans run full tit all the time??

[cat007]

I guess this one was cheap for a reason

Lol

Is it one of those dodgy plastic ones that the fans run full tit all the time??

nah it's metal - this one:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 879120.htm

[cat007]

oh and yeah - the fan's run full tit all the time

[Scotty]

If the fans run off 12v could swap them out for some quieter computer ones (they run on 12v) or could wire in a fan controller like this one to reduce the speed of the fans.