Power inverter project...

Any info on the build? I'm reading up on solar for the shed then ultimately house. This would be cool if I could do it for the truck. I dont have a sun roof so that'd be perfect.

 

starts here. goes for a pages.

 

Another option for laptops that many forget about is a direct DC power adapter. After all laptops do run off DC power

I kinda went down the same train of thought when I redid the solar setup in my truck and added a real inverter (1100W). I was thinking how to get a connection from the inverter for my Surface Pro's power adapter then found a DC one on Amazon for less than $20. Plenty of other uses for an inverter but if running a laptop is a primary use case then that's an option to check on.

 

I've ordered the switch, the relay, happened to buy the same Inverter, AC plugs, 4g cable, 80 amp fuse. Now to figure out where to mount these plugs as I'm not looking forward to cutting into anything.

 

I've been looking at adding a second battery and inverter to mine. With the battery being in the bed somewhere. One good source for thick cables that are longer is jumper cables. (cut the ends off)

 

What an awesome setup! How did you configure this? Under the Radio/AC?

 

The inverter is under the middle of the back seat and held to the carpet with velcro. No holes or mods to the truck.

The dash switch (powered by keyed 12v+) controls an 80 amp relay under the hood.
The relay powers the inverter. (since the inverter switch is always on)

The nice thing about the dash switch/relay combo is that the inverter is always "OFF" unless I need it.

I haven't cut-in the 110v outlets yet.
For now I just have a short 6ft extension cord run under the rear floor mat up to the front passenger seat. It works perfectly and has been used a few times already.

 

I got an amp wiring kit with 4 gauge wire. The wires are run, but the inverter was giving me issues. I returned it yesterday. Waiting on the new one to get here tomorrow to try again. I ran 17 ft of 4 gauge and it came with a 100 amp fuse that I’ll probably replace with a lower one. I am mounting it in the middle bin of the esp storage.

 

I still cant get over how much room there is in the back of these cabs.

With the rear seat removed, it looks like a double bed mattress would fit in there perfectly.

 

Yeah. The seats are still out waiting on the new inverter. Every time I look back there I think once the kids are gone and it’s just me and the wife, the backseats will stay out. So much more room.

 

Got mine in finally. Used 17ft of 4 gauge wire to the battery and just grounded it to a bolt on the rear wall of the truck. I also mounted my cell phone booster.

I originally tried a cobra inverter. I ordered a 1000w and a 1500w to see the size difference. But both gave me an olp error on startup, even when using their wires straight to the battery. I got a bestek pure sine wave one and it works so much better. I’m glad I got this one.

I also did rear seat heat while I was at it. I am never taking the rear seats out again. It was a pain getting them back in.

https://www.amazon.com/BESTEK-Inver...a-893003582327&psc=1&ref=&adgrpid=81184753329

 

You sir are brilliant!
Same goes with cordless tool battery chargers for those with inverter issues when trying to charge them.

 

About this .. I figure I needed about 15 ft of cable to wire this behind the back seat. 15 ft, 80 amps, that's 4 gauge on most charts. The 80 relay goes in the middle there somewhere and that has 10 gauge wire on it's harness for in and out. I'm flummoxed about what to do with this at the moment.

 

Decided the problem is the relay, so going to use one of these instead. https://www.amazon.com/Heavy-Duty-Relay-Split-Charge/dp/B07T35K8S2

 

how's the weboost? might be my next addition to the truck...

 

It works pretty good. My inside antenna is on the windshield next to the mirror mount and it seems like I have to have my phone around the console area to pick up the signal. But it’s given me a signal and internet when I didn’t have any without it. It seems like it adds a bar or 2.

 

Try the Smoothtalker. I’ve installed thousands of those. To this day I’ve not found another booster that out performs and outlasts it. They are used more in industrial vehicles here in the hills and mountains.

 

What is the largest inverter I can install for the stock battery in my stock 2022 tundra SR5 4x2? I am considering installing a separate battery, but just wanted to ask.

 

Pretty vague question, but I’ll try…

Powering from your battery without the truck running is a recipe for disaster.

With the truck running, you have a big alternator that makes the juice!

A 1,500w inverter can pull over 100A at 13.6V, which is the limit of my comfort level for a stock charging system. That’ll give you a 12.5A peak capacity at 120V.

What are you hoping to run?

 

I had a 500w inverter in my work van, and it wouldn't run hardly anything. Maybe a small drill.

I got tired of fooling with it and installed a HF 2000W continuous/ 4000W. Now I can run my impact, drills, Sawzall, chargers, etc. I used size 2 wire to the van battery, grounded locally. Works pretty well.

 

really diggin this mod. Just thinking twice about where to mount the converter.