How many amps does a US car run off of?

Blaine

Hinako's Cook
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Jul 16, 2001
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3,113
Says on this "power inverter" I have for an LCD screen that it inputs 12v DC and outputs 12v DC (3.25 A)...

Is that thing even DOING anything other than pulling power from the cigarette lighter? Couldn't I just hardwire this in?
 

Blaine

Hinako's Cook
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Jul 16, 2001
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I'd imagine so. That's why I gave it the ol' quotation marks.

It looks like a power inverter but it's apparantly doing dick.
 

Lime2K

Host for Orochi
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Jul 30, 2004
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762
maybe it's a line filter pretending to be a power inverter?

just a thought...
 

gamejunkie

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Aug 21, 2004
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I hardwired my old Nomad Jukebox (6gb model :kekeke: ) to the ole truck lighter. Didn't seem to hurt it...
 

norton9478

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It's probably a line filter with a fuse...

Does it work?

The 12v at the lighter is just a normal 12v.... You can tap it from somehwer's else.

I'd bypass it and use a fuse.

A Car outputs ALOT of amps. It has to throw hundreds of sparks a second.
 

ttooddddyy

PNG FTW,
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Nov 29, 2001
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To answer the original question.

A US car or any other cars battery for that matter can supply well over 100 amps to the starter motor.
 

dogtoy

Haomaru's Blade Shiner
Joined
Nov 24, 2003
Posts
689
It is probably a 12v regulator, because most car alternators supply somewhere around 13.5-14.5 volts (because it's charging all the time). If you don't believe me go get your multimiter and stick in your cigarette lighter with the car running.

cheers,
-DT
 
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