Xmas Lights On My Jeep - Help..??

[ItsMeKO3]

So I jumped on the bandwagon and put some Xmas lights on my roof rack today. They are a set of 100 LED lights, connected to an extension cord, which is plugged into a 100W inverter. They light up, but for some reason, they flash on and off randomly. I can't seem to find a pattern to it, and I can't figure out why they are doing. Any ideas? Thanks guys.

[hoaxci5]

Plug them into an extension cord from the house and see if it still happens, if not replace inverter. If it still happens, try a different extension cord on the jeep. If it still happens replace lights..

[ItsMeKO3]

Well I plugged them into an extension cord going into the house. They seemed to work fine. So I used that same extension cord, and a couple others, plugged into the inverter, and they still flashed. I did have one short extension cord, that I just plugged in and ran out the truck window, and that one seemed to work. But its not long enough for me to use. I guess tomorrow I'll pick up a different inverter and try that. The inverter I'm using I bought today, so it just doesn't make sense that the inverter would be the problem.

[Sal-XK]

It worked because your using a smaller extension cord. The inverter is not big enough that's the issue. 400 watts is really not a lot of power, it's just enough to run a laptop as long as you don't use the laptops DVD player that might be pushing it.

[ItsMeKO3]

Well like you said I'm pretty sure its the inverter. I plugged them into my bro in laws 12v in his truck and they worked. Then I plugged my inverter in his cig lighter and they flashed again. The box says they only put out 4.8w. So I figured a 100w inverter would work. You think I need a bigger one? I'm only going to use the inverter to run these led xmas lights. After that I won't have any other use for it. I guess ill try to pick up a larger inverter tomorrow. You think 400w is what I need?

[Sal-XK]

Man your going to make me think now LOL not cool. The longer extension cord didn't help either more resistance more power needed. 400w one should be fine just for lights especially LED lights and there usually cheap enough as well there about the $30 dollar ones. When I over load my inverter it does the same thing what its doing is turning on and off repeatedly thats whey its flashing. They come in handy there worth the money. This is what I did with my cheap inverter it comes in handy runs laptops charges phones and stuff http://www.theultimatejeep.com/showthread.php/73-Sal-XK-s-Garage?p=5230&viewfull=1#post5230

[hoaxci5]

Could just a be a cheap inverter with crappy wiring.. I doubt that the lights are drawing more than 100 watts no matter what, even old school Christmas lights are only supposed to draw like 26 watts or something I read..

I have no real reason but I don't like the cigarette lighter inverters, and by that I mean the all in on self contained units. I've had really good luck with a BS 400 watt unit that I bought years ago, but it's a corded cigarette lighter plug. So the inverter is separate from the plug if that makes sense.

[Sal-XK]

He losses a power using a really long extension cord. So he might start out with 100% power but the cord will eat some of that up. On my inverter I can't plug my mattress pump in to the extension cord either the inverter turns off and on like his is doing. I have to plug the pump directly into the inverter and it works.

[GPintheMitten]

Voltage drop will increase amps, but I doubt it would be enough to go over the rated amps that you have.

[ItsMeKO3]

Well I think I have on of the cheap inverters mentioned. The plug part is directly connected to the rest of the inverter. There are no cords. If I pick up a 400w inverter and use the longer extension cord that I planned on using, do you guys think it will work?

[hoaxci5]

I have no proof that says a corded inverter is better than an all in one unit.. but I've never had any problem charging/powering whatever I wanted with my corded 400 watt cheapy. I know back in my retail days working at best buy several customers complained about not being able to run laptops off the 100w all in one units.

The longer the extension cord the worse it should theoretically be, but use what works, maybe the shorter one is smaller gauge wire and it's too much of a current drop to keep up. I find that unlikely, but again if it works I don't tend to question it :p

[Sal-XK]

The 400W has more then enough power to run a set of LED lights no problem with using the long extension cord.

[hoaxci5]

Yea but so is 100w technically.. https://theultimatejeep.com/notfound.png

[Sal-XK]

Yea but so is 100w technically.. https://theultimatejeep.com/notfound.png

Not with the voltage drop from the cord. There must be enough resistance in the cord to drop the voltage enough not to be able to run the lights. Were also assuming that he is starting out with the full 100w

[hoaxci5]

Voltage drop is significantly lower after the inverter. It's better to have a long extension cord plugged into the inverter then to run a long power wire to it.

Christmas lights in general are pretty low watt/amp draw, less than 100 watts no matter what lights are being used, and at most 1 amp.

[ItsMeKO3]

The 400W has more then enough power to run a set of LED lights no problem with using the long extension cord.

This is what ill be trying tomorrow. Hopefully they will work!

[Sal-XK]

I was thinking more of his inverter is rated at 100w but what is it really putting out?

[ItsMeKO3]

Well I picked up a new 400W inverter from Autozone this morning. So far so good. They seem to be all set now. I'll try them out tonight fr the final say :) Thanks guys.

[GPintheMitten]

Glad to hear it. It would seem the other inverter, while rated ok, just had a malfunction. Glad you're up and running. Pics at night please. :)

[ItsMeKO3]

Here they are.

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/12/DSC02023-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/12/DSC02029-1.jpg

[Sal-XK]

That's awesome!!!!!!!

[ItsMeKO3]

Haha thanks for the help sal.

[pjmjr508]

Looks great

[GPintheMitten]

Very nice. Do you plan on driving with them on at night? You might capture the police's attention.

[ItsMeKO3]

I've driven around town with them on a couple times so far. I was with my bro in law in his truck sat night and we drove by 2 village cops while he had his on and and they didn't seem to care. We'll see how long it lasts lol