Hi, I am buying an inverter for a 2010 Honda Fit. The 12V socket lid says "120 Watts Max", however, the owner's manual lists the "ACC Socket" as having a 20A fuse, which would mean 240 watts max. Would it be safe to use a 150W inverter and potentially drawing that much power from the 12V socket? thanks

Page 309.
No. Amps. Circuits Protected
13 20 A ACC Socket

 

Go for it.

The 150w inverter isn't going to draw 150w unless you have something plugged in that draws close to that.

Worst case is you burn out a fuse. Just don't replace with a higher amperage fuse; then you'd risk a fire.

 

You won't be drawing any power until you plug something in and turn it on. Can't think of anything (ordinarily car stuff) that you would plug in and come close to rating 150W other than power tools, hair dryer, sound system amp, compressor, etc. Maybe just me...

You should be fine.

 

If memory serves there are more electricakl draws on the fuse circuit than the lighter. Worse, mine says 15A fuse, not 20A, fuse 27. circuit diagram 22-169 shows a simple circuit but I think there are branches off the 50A main fuse line that complicates things. In any case 180 watts is certainly max and with the inline resistances you probably cant pull more than 150 watts without potential problems.

 

The FSM says that there's nothing else on the ACC circuit. It also says that the fuse should be 20A. I'd use the 150 watt inverter, because whatever you plug into it will likely only temporarily hit 150w of power.

 

Thanks guys, good points. I guess the higher the less limiting as far as inverter wattage rating goes, I will just watch what I plug into it to keep it under the max. Worst case, probably easier to replace the Honda fuse than a fuse in the inverter, too.

 

My inverter came with two plugs. one for the 12V Accessory socket, the other for a direct wire to the battery. it would take a little longer wire to get to the battery but if it is going to be a permanent install, a direct wire would be preferable.

We ran into an issue with a baby bottle warmer kicking the breaker on the inverter itself as the initial power on was a surge that the inverter didn't like (even though the rating was less than the inverter by about 50W)

~SB

 

Yup, spikes and/or surges are not normally accounted for by the ratings unless specifically stated or the device comes with a surge protector. The spikes can go up x2, x3 of the norm...

 

It is 20 Amp fuse on the ACC. I used this circuit for my heated seats which draw 10 with no problem. Also have my strips of LEDS under my headlights on this cicuit.