" I am giving it all she's got captain "

Well I had to give up my HHR to my wife!! I felt she needed it more than I do at the moment. She has a Very busy Mobile notary business and need the features of the HHR way more than I do. But don't fret I see a HHR SS in my future.

So for now I get her 09 Smart car which is kinda of cool, I will be saving for a large down payment on my Next HHR ( SS ) As long as I can keep the payments close to what the Smart Payments are I am good to go.

So the to make the HHR better suit my wifes needs I have decided to upgrade
her new ride with two power Inverters. So she can run her lap top and a HP
All in one printer.
I bought her from Amazon two inverters and the goodies to go along with it.
the main inverter will be mounted once it shows up. near the battery.
this should be easy as I have already removed the air pump and fix-a-flat
from the truck, We have Nitro filled tires and AAA. So no need to lug it around.
Not to mention the roadside assistance.

This is the main inverter that I picked out it seems like a nice unit.

http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-CPI-1575...3&sr=8-1-fkmr1

I also picked up the wiring kit the main fuse some spares and the remote control for it so she will be less likely to leave it on.


http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-CPI-A20-...=pd_sim_auto_3

yesterday I went to Lowe's to buy a GFCI and all the parts needed to install a
remote mount power outlet ( so we don't have to lose space for the Inverter).

I know I know this means cutting into my wifes new HHR!!

I was poking around the back and I was happy to see a nice hopefully cheep to replace plastic panel that looked perfect for this.
it looks like the access panel that gives access to the brake lights.

I took some pictures if anyone else is thinking on adding some power to their ride. a/c power anyways.

http://s1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd371/Knelson1969/

I would post them here but I suck at posting pictures I am not sure if this will work but I guess I will find out.

I will say as a disclaimer I am not a electrician, and I don't want to be, however
I did the work to the best of my ability ,and did my best to check for any problems that might come up with vibrations and shock .I completed a long load test on it running a 8 inch sander polisher,r and checked for any signs of heat or anything that may cause problems down the road .
Please feel free to nit pick my work as I don't want any problems with My wifes new HHR and I really don't want to cause any safety problems with this mod
either.
Thanks for your input in advance. note I do not have either inverter here yet I am waiting for them to show up, I will add more to this thread once they arrive and I get them installed. Thanks again for looking.

 

Nice with good pics. Just make sure she holds her hand against that little panel when she pulls the plugs out. That would be my only worry. Great job though and neat!

 

Great job and even better pictures. I totally dig your workbench man! Add one for care used when removing her plugs. Another spot you might consider is the compartments behind the seats. I have the same set up only it's mounted in the compartment lid. Carpet covers it up when it's not used.

 

Great Idea! I haven't even thought of that. it would be in a perfect place there I am glad I choose a cheep panel to put it in.
I used to have two 3ft by 7 ft SS work benches but now I am in the new house I didn't have room for one So I had to rip it in half with my circular saw and about 6 old blades that was fun! now I have room for the HHR and I can close the door and work on it.
We have decided to get a second shelf for the printer and store supplies on the lower side where the plug is. I am planning o hitting some junk yard for parts now i will add a new Storage compartment to my list of stuff to get.
I would rather make a custom shelf for her but I think she would be happier with the stock piece for now.

 

Sounds good, please keep posting the pics of your set up. I looked and what I would do is use the deck in the upper position to mount the printer/? and get another deck and mount it directly below the top piece - but above the deck floor. This would house the other apparatus. Once the deck is removed, there is some room there - I would think someone could build an 'insert' to fit this space for paper, disks, ink cartridge storage. Could literally mount to the 2nd deck. Best of luck brother.

 

I talked it over with my wife She is happy with where I mounted the plug, She is pretty short
and mounting the plug in the storage compartment would make it too hard for her to reach.

I agree the printer needs to be mounted up high but to one side so we don't block the view
of the rear view mirror.

I will have to have the rear windows tinted Limo black so were not advertising a free Printer.
I am not sure what you mean by " get another deck and mount it directly below the top piece
-but above the deck floor"

If I am understanding it correctly would I need a total of two Shelfs

Use the bottom shelf 4 or 5 inches below the top one which will then give me
Extra room for supplies just below the printer and room where the spare tire would be without having to move anything.
I think I am grasping what you have in mind if so Its a great idea.


This would also leave the area where the spare normally mounts wide open.
one side for my power inverter and the other for storing more stuff.
then all I would need to do is buy some Grey PVC sheeting and cut it to size and weld it up. very cool Idea this way the inverter wouldn't over heat and when not in use all of it could get hidden very easily.

Thank you for all your Ideas, My wife will thank you also that is once I get it done.

 

Knelson, have you found a laptop stand for her?

 

No not yet I have been looking why do you have a line on one?

 

I have been turning our HHR into a mobile office I have installed a 1500Watt Cobra Inverter,a Yellow Top Optima battery, I purchased but have not installed yet is a 120 amp battery isolator.
I found out after reading the instructions that the load on the optima has to be connected to the top post not the side terminals So I will have to change the wires around some .
I have read that some GM alternators are not compatible with battery isolators.does anyone know if the HHR will work with a isolator?
I have a 2010 with a 2.4

I plan on replacing the factory battery to a red top optima because I tried to remove the vent line from the battery and snapped it off. plus there is no room for the vent with the second battery
.http://s1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd371/Knelson1969/

I ended up plugging in the printers directly to the inverter and I left the outlet for lap top power supply,and I ran two springs of blue rope light between the carpet and plastic floor moldings that allows just a little of the light out.

I was not able to power up the large printer for long in-fact I had to warm up the printer for 5 minutes and then I was able to plug in my inverter then the printer would work but the inverter was chirping and going into alarm. for now she is able to use two printers but not that new dell.Its a beast. I am hopping that my problem is just that I had the inverter power wire connected to the side terminal of the battery and It needs to be on the top.

Sorry about the pictures but some folders got mixed up.