Installing and using DC-AC inverters

Rolandd · August 31, 2006

I am using my standard cab long bed pick-up for construction contracting and I am thinking about installing a 2000 to 3000 watt inverter to run power tools. Has anyone had any experiences with these units (good or bad) and does anyone have any good ideas for mounting locations? I have seen some units on the web that look like they might fit under the pass side front seat, but I am concerned that the unit may not be able to keep cool under there without additional fans. I am assuming that these units cannot tolerate being under the hood or under the cab because they do not look water tight (I would wire an auxilliary outlet).

Any thoughts or experiences would be appriciated....

Thanks,

--Roland

mcreyaufmiller · September 1, 2006

I do not use ones that big, but I would imagine that they would have to be hard wired to the battery. I have a smaller one that I wired into my Dodge utility body for charging batteries on my drills, it works nice and has a on/off switch.

Rammer · September 1, 2006

I have a 400 watt inverter hard wired and mounted behind my rear seat. I have a remote switch and relay to power it up and I also have hard wired outlets mounted into my center console.

2000-3000 watt inverter will need some serious amperage at max capacity. 150-250 amps and the wiring, batteries and charging system to match. The battery will go dead quick, running power tools, unless the engine is running.

A portable generator sounds like a better, cheaper option and less wear and tear on the truck.

Rolandd · September 1, 2006

Thanks for the replys. I am looking for a large unit to run a chop saw or table saw when I need to make too few cuts to want to lug one of these tools on site--usually into someone's home--and clean up after using them. However, while I am prepared to run some heavy wires (the truck has the plow prep package, so it is set up to have heavy draw equipment connected to the electrical system) I am concerned with how the battery will do and if I should set up a second battery. Is there a controller available so that a second battery will be charged while the truck is running but isolated when the truck is off?

Rammer · September 1, 2006

Is there a controller available so that a second battery will be charged while the truck is running but isolated when the truck is off?

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Yes they do, it's called a battery isolator. Here's an example. Isolator

crazymjb · September 1, 2006

Also, you should obviously get a deep cycle battery(I.E, optima Yellow top) for the inverter line.

Take some pics of the install(assuming you do it yourself).

Mike

Dans Denali · September 1, 2006

I have been running a 2000 watt on my boat for years and you could easily do it in a truck, I have 8 golf cart batteries but you could do it with 2. A pair of 6 volts in the bed hooked up in series and charged from an isolater will do it for a saw, if the saw draws 10 amps the invertor will pull 10 times that from the battery (100 amps) so they won't last long but for a saw it would work great and probably not need to be charged during the day. If you don't have a long drive home to recharge just plug it in when you get home. A pair of 6 volt golf cart batts in series will have more power and last longer than 2 normal 12 volts in parallel.

If you want to read more go to www.xantrex.com

Dan