Mains power in a car. Electrical knowledge needed

[Nick Read]

I should know this but I cant remember how exactly it works, so before I break out the multimeter and crack open the casing, maybe someone out there, a sparky or engineer can help me out!

I need to run a mains powered heater in the back of my car. Its got a very low current draw (its a reptile tank heater) and takes a normal 240v AC power supply. In fact its got a moulded 3 pin plug on it.

Now I dont want to whack out loads of money for an inverter when the heater only cost me £7! But Ive got a 240v AC/12v DC transformer that plugs into the mains. Is there any reason why I cant make the transformer work in reverse?

The obvious thing would be to just cut the plugs off each end, wire the mains input end to the heater, and the 12v output end to a fag lighter plug.

Will it work or am I dreaming?

 

[Ben j]

mm. not sure if a transformer can run backwards...

 

[DAVE77]

No it wont work mate, a transformer is fitted with diodes, so it wont work.
Im a sparky, so I know this.
You can buy a power invertor for about a tenner.

 

[ChavyBoy]

Dave,

Where can you buy this invertor for about a £10 cause most of the ones I have seen are about £50 ?

 

[Nick Read]

Cheers Dave thats what I was thinking...I knew it wasnt just a couple of coils in there and thought there would be diodes in to chop the waveform to turn it into DC. Needed you to confirm it though, so cheers!

Where can you get an inverter for a tenner then?

 

[Ben j]

go to an electrical wholesalers.. and ask em, although they say open to trade only can just walk in and pay cash, they never care. and if they cant help theyll probably know somewhere that can

 

[DAVE77]

One of the wholesalers that I use at work sell power invertors. One of the guys that work there does cash in pocket discounts, if you know what I mean ???????

 

[DAVE77]

Nick, did you get a straight through cat replacement pipe from any where? If so where did you get it?

 

[Fred@BTM]

DAVE77 if i sent you the money could you get me one???? i cant afford £50!!!!

 

[DAVE77]

What size invertor are you after ?

If you let me know Ill get some prices.

 

[ChavyBoy]

Dave a 300w or bigger mate would be good.

 

[DAVE77]

Ill see what I can sort out. Should be going to the wholesalers tomorrow.

 

[Fred@BTM]

Nick do you want my inverter????

 

[DAVE77]

Right the folks, Ive been to the wholesalers today and got a couple of prices.

I can get a 300 watt invertor for £50, or a 600 watt for £60.

If anyones interested ? Let me know.

DAVEBRANKLING@AOL.COM

 

[Nick Read]

Yeah thats the problem, my budget is more like a tenner...a score top whack! Fred what inverter have you got?

 

[Fred@BTM]

150W 12V-240V called AC Anywhere (bought from PC world)