[A1A-LJ]

Hey guys,

I want to decorate the LJ this year (first time) and I need a AC-DC power inverter. They seem to range from 20 bucks to over 100. I dont plan on ever using it for anything other than these lights. I saw one that was 200W continuous and 300W sustained. I have no idea how much draw that lights have.

Any direction on what the power requirement is for christmas lights?

[Mobile_Homie]

It should say on the strand of lights what their draw is, if it lists amps, just multiply by the volts and you will be close enough.

[Grape Ape]

Look at the lights and see how many strings you can hook together. Divide 1600 by the number of strings you can connect together and that will give you an idea of the wattage required per string of lights.

So if it say you can connect 16 light strings together 1600/16=100 watts so each string uses 100 watts.

Then you need to decide how many strings of lights you want to use and size the inverter based on that if you want to use 4 strings of lights then get an inverter that will give you a minimum of 400 watts continuous. The max wattage rating of inverters is used only when you are using something that takes a high wattage to start then runs at a lower wattage such as power tools. Continuous is what you need to pay attention to. If you overload it the inverter will burn up.

Make sure you are careful of how you run your lights. You do not want to pinch a cord and short it out to the body of your jeep. 120 volts when you grab the door handle to open the door etc... is not something you want to have to deal with.

[dmcanally]

I'd just buy the cheapest one and start adding lights. If it tripps, take it back and get more watts...

[tylerd]

Originally Posted by dmcanally

I'd just buy the cheapest one and start adding lights. If it tripps, take it back and get more watts...

................................

[chadsmeltzer]

I recently bought one that was 400 watts continuous and 800 starting. I had 3 strings plugged in and it smoked it. It was supposed to have a safety switch and shut off before it overloaded but as it started to beep it was done for. I haven't checked the fuse yet though.

Also, remember the ones that plug into a cigarette lighter may be able to power a bunch, but the cigarette lighter can only do so much. For a bigger inverter, wire it to the battery. I think thats what part of my problem was. I had the wire to hook it to the battery, but not the time. I bought the inverter an hour before I was supposed to be on a trail ride using the lights.

[hartke20g]

a cheaper solution to a 400W inverter is to buy some cheap LED light strings and hook them up to a small inverter (probably about $30 for the inverter since LEDs use a tiny fraction of what incandescents use). an entire LED string probably uses less than 5 watts (depending on the size of the LEDs used). cheaper than spending $80+ on an inverter you probably won't use again. although if you find yourself using the inverter more often for other things, you could always upgrade later to a more powerful one.

[obxresq]

Originally Posted by 360Unlimited

Hey guys,

I want to decorate the LJ this year (first time) and I need a AC-DC power inverter. They seem to range from 20 bucks to over 100. I dont plan on ever using it for anything other than these lights. I saw one that was 200W continuous and 300W sustained. I have no idea how much draw that lights have.

Any direction on what the power requirement is for christmas lights?

Go LED !!! they draw alot less power Thats why they are on your firetruck as well. Check your string for how much power is needed and get an inverter to slightly exceed it. Pretty simple / not rocket science

or they do have battery operated christmas lights, thats what I have on mine

[Sobie]

I was just in a parade and I had a string of 105 lights. The package said it was ~50 watts for the string. I had a 400 watt inverter, the thing never even got warm over a period of an hour. Id say with a 400 watter you're good to go to light up the jeep.

[WiLieR]

Originally Posted by obxresq

Go LED !!! they draw alot less power Thats why they are on your firetruck as well. Check your string for how much power is needed and get an inverter to slightly exceed it. Pretty simple / not rocket science

I agree with LED strings! Power usage goes way down with led lights. The strands I picked up only require ~4.8 watts where the comparable standard mini-light strands require ~50watts each. We have two strands up on the cargo rack of the WJ now being powered by a 75 watt inverter. Still plenty of headroom left on the inverter as only about 12 watts are being used right now.

[BRad704]

So what are the legal considerations for decking your jeep in lights? I've thought about it, but figured there would be some statue that said all white lights must only be visible from the front....

[CJATE]

you can get lights that are 12V designed to plug in to cig/lighter. that's the best bet.

you see them at truck stops and some big auto parts stores (or online)

[andy02]

Originally Posted by racefan318

So what are the legal considerations for decking your jeep in lights? I've thought about it, but figured there would be some statue that said all white lights must only be visible from the front....

Laws vary by state but in most states, you are correct. With that in mind, I have never been stopped for Christmas lights on my Jeep.

[obxresq]

Originally Posted by BRad704

So what are the legal considerations for decking your jeep in lights? I've thought about it, but figured there would be some statue that said all white lights must only be visible from the front....

Laws do vary from state to state however pretty much all states will not let you run flashing red or blue lights period!

[GrimJeeper91]

I use LED x-mas lights and a small inverter and it works perfect.