Where to install inverter

[JtotheP]

I've been driving for a few months and I'm embarassed to ask such a dumb question but do you install inverters outside in the battery box or inside the cab? The battery box seems like the logical place but I don't see 110v wiring going from there to the cab on anyone's truck.

So the inverter goes inside the cab? Why? Voltage drop and noise are 2 reasons not to put it there that I can see.

[allan5oh]

So it doesn't get wet.

[jonboy]

My truck has heavy duty wires running from the battery box into the side compartment on the drivers side. I installed the inverter there, and then plugged a power strip into it that runs inside the truck. The only thing I don't like, is I have to get out and open the compartment to turn the inverter off and on.

I'm not sure how much it draws, even with the power strip turned off, because it has a fan, and I'm no electrical guru, but I know something is going on in there????. My inverter is a small one 1000w, and it doesn't produce hardly any heat, so it couldve gone inside if my cables would've been long enough.

One of the problems that scares me is if you were to get an arc off those dc leads, you could have a big fire in your truck, so if you run cables through any openings, do it right.

Btw, the inverter I got has lugs on it to just stick the cables into it and tighten them down instead of having to put ends on the cable. This made it easy for me, but you can buy a kit with your inverter to make the install easy.

In the future, I'm going to a large pure sine wave inverter, but for now this one is fine. I'm not having any problem with my computer with the modified sin wave converter.

hope this helps a little,

jonboy

[BoyNextDoor]

My truck has heavy duty wires running from the battery box into the side compartment on the drivers side. I installed the inverter there, and then plugged a power strip into it that runs inside the truck. The only thing I don't like, is I have to get out and open the compartment to turn the inverter off and on.

I'm not sure how much it draws, even with the power strip turned off, because it has a fan, and I'm no electrical guru, but I know something is going on in there????. My inverter is a small one 1000w, and it doesn't produce hardly any heat, so it couldve gone inside if my cables would've been long enough.

One of the problems that scares me is if you were to get an arc off those dc leads, you could have a big fire in your truck, so if you run cables through any openings, do it right.

Btw, the inverter I got has lugs on it to just stick the cables into it and tighten them down instead of having to put ends on the cable. This made it easy for me, but you can buy a kit with your inverter to make the install easy.

In the future, I'm going to a large pure sine wave inverter, but for now this one is fine. I'm not having any problem with my computer with the modified sin wave converter.

hope this helps a little,

jonboy

you sure did good with the heavy duty wire... for the switching on and off part...

I took one of my inverters apart, and just extended the cables, and took the switch inside to the dashboard (in my old car that had a car-pc in it) so that's a solution, but only do it idf you know what you are doing...

i'm in no way responsible for anything... not even for what i say. lol...

anyways, the ideal solution is:

go to home depot. buy wireing. for the hookup to the battery, just get at least an 8ga wire, but 4 ga preferred. hook the positive one (preferably red or yellow, but a black will do too if you mark it with red paint) to the combined positive lead from your battery box. On my truck it looks like a power block, that has all the wires running from all the batteries (usually 3-4 batteries) and has one big one running out of the battery box to the engine and other various components. hook it to this one. don't be afraid to take it apart, just make sure you never ever make contact inbetween the positive wires and any ground (the battery box for that matter {sparks a flying if you do})

so lead that in to the cab, make a hole on the bottom of the cab, back of the cab, wherever you see fit. if you have a bed that opens up to have extra storage underneath, than install it there... for easy access, and safe water-free conditions. do the same with a black (ground wire), but do not connect the ground wire to the same block in the battery box, instead look for a good screw that say holds the battery box in place, or any part of it... that'll be a good ground. If that doesn't work, than look for a screw on the frame, or any metal part on the truck... if it is painted, you're better off scraping some of the paint off for better contact.

now that you have both wires in the truck, inside, take some silicone (comes in tubes, pastes, whatever shape or form, but is has to be silicone) that you can smear/run across where the hole is to the inside of the cab, so you can make sure no water or other crap for that matter get inside...

once you done this, just hook up your inverter to the wires (red-red, black-black, {just kidding... lol... you know this already}) and boom, you got an always on inverter.

a few tips:

If you want to run say a microwave in your truck, you will need at least a 1000W pure as in continuous power inverter, not 1000W peak. usually they advertise the peak power to sell them at a premium, but you'll see that in small print it says continuous, and it's usually a smaller number, that's he actual number you need to figure.

(a little inside: peak means that on actual startup it's able to do say 1000W's, but only for a short time before it's overheated. Continuous is usually 750 or so on a 1000w peak unit, so it'll give off 750 continuously w/o a problem, and w/o overheating.)

also keep in mind, that you can run the inverter, and say a phone charger all nite, even a laptop w/o draining the batteries (depending on the quality and life in the baterries) but if you want to use serious power (microwave) than you'll need to run the truck. even if you're using it only for a couple of minutes... under full load the inverter will suck some serious juice...

if you leave the truck for a long time, say for the weekend when you leave for home, than make sure you have the inverter off, b/c it'll drain the batteries. there is a 99% chance of this. overnite, maybe a day and a half should br ok. but a couple of days definetly not...

ok... i think you guys are bored by now, so i'll shut up. I'm thinking that when i'll get my 1500W inverter and install it, i'll take pics, and write upo a tutorial...

cheers

BND

[jonboy]

also keep in mind, that you can run the inverter, and say a phone charger all nite, even a laptop w/o draining the batteries (depending on the quality and life in the baterries) but if you want to use serious power (microwave) than you'll need to run the truck. even if you're using it only for a couple of minutes... under full load the inverter will suck some serious juice...

if you leave the truck for a long time, say for the weekend when you leave for home, than make sure you have the inverter off, b/c it'll drain the batteries. there is a 99% chance of this. overnite, maybe a day and a half should br ok. but a couple of days definetly not...

ok... i think you guys are bored by now, so i'll shut up. I'm thinking that when i'll get my 1500W inverter and install it, i'll take pics, and write upo a tutorial...

cheers

BND

That answers my question about having to get out and turn off my inverter when I'm using Idleaire or whatever.

I was thinking today, it would be great to be able to charge the batteries in the truck off of Idleaire so I would not have to unplug my 12v frig. I know they used to make something that pluged into a cigarette lighter (supposedly to be able to boost a car. lol), but it might be able to convert 110v to 12v.

I'm sure their is a way, but electical stuff is not my bag.

jonboy

[mike3fan]

I must be the luckiest SOB in the world then,I never shut my inverter off even over a weeks vacation.my laptop usually stays on all night and the cool pad it sits on also is running all night.I have a power strip plugged into the inverter and run everything thru there,never once had a problem starting my truck.Btw my truck only has 3 batteries too.

[ncnewbie]

Here's a piece from a website that specializes in solar and backup systems for the whole house:

"Most low-cost inverters have modified square wave output (sometimes called modified sine wave) with harmonic distortion of around 40%. They are an economical choice in power systems where waveform is not critical. Their high surge capacity allows them to start large motors while their high efficiency makes them economical when running small loads like a stereo or a small light. They can power most lighting, televisions, appliances and computers very well. We do not recommend them for computer systems with laser printers. Unfortunately, this type of inverter may destroy some low cost rechargeable tools and flashlights, and their waveform will not allow many laser printers, copiers, light dimmers and some variable speed tools to operate. Some audio equipment will have a background buzz that may be annoying to music connoisseurs. Due to the wave form and high harmonic distortion some motors will consume more power on a modified square wave. The result is more noise, heat and losses. This is not usually a problem if this type of wave form is only being used for brief and infrequent backup power. However, for continuous year-around use, a motor running hotter will have a shortened expected life. You may even hear a distinct hum when running on modified sine wave power."

That said, I've never had a problem running my laptop or battery charger for my 18v drill from my 400w modified square inverter. Over the years I have noticed some "hum" in various audio devices I've used tho. I don't know of any problems you'd have with microwave ovens with the modified sine wave as I can't think of anything frequency sensitive in there.

Simply put, 1000 watts/ 12v = 83 Amps. This corresponds to a 7/8 ga wire to carry 83 Amps (http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm). I'd run wires for both positive and negative in case the factory ground from the cab to the batteries becomes flaky or isn't big enough to handle the large loads you may throw on it. If you're looking at installing a larger capacity inverter latter, you may as well run the larger wires now. Where you connect wires together, spray some battery terminal protectant available at any auto store. Keeps corrosion down.

FYI: Lowes sells rubber grommets of various sizes to slip into the hole before running the wire thru, and I always finish it off with silicone too. The grommet helps prevent any chaffing (and shorting!) of the wires.

Take your time and you'll be fine. Just be careful what you touch the positive wire to!!

[Mountain Flyer]

My inverter is mounted on the bottom of my bunk; screwed to the plywood on the bunk bed. I used two battery cables purchased at the auto parts place to hook the invertor into the battery box. You can buy pretty long cables to hook up your inverter with. Works fine. :?

I bought 20' heavy duty jumper cables and cut the ends off and used those to wire up my inverter. Mine is screwed to the floor under the bunk on the side storage unit. I also wired a 110 outlet to the outside of the bunk so I can just reach down and plug my laptop in or anything else.

[allan5oh]

I used welding cable. I think it's the same as 0 gauge or close.

Make sure you have a GOOD fuse too. The fuse *must* be right at the batteries or you risk a fire.

If you can, go for a "pure" sinewave inverter. They're far more efficient.

I'm not sure why everyone wants welding wire or 0 gauge. A 1500 watt inverter only draws about 15 amps. It's the same as a house and 10 gauge wire is used for that type of load. The fuse would blow before anything happened so not sure why your all calling out for such an overkill.

You can check the electrical wiring code or ask an electrician but 0 gauge or anything larger than 8 gauge is a waste. I'm sure there are a bunch of EE's on here who can back this up!

[ncnewbie]

To get 1500w from an inverter, you have to provide about 125 amps at 12V (125*12 = 1500). If you try to push that 125A thru a small diameter wire, the resistance of the wire will cause a lot of heat. Enough heat and you'll find smoke. Flames may not be far behind.

In a house with a 1500w load, you're dealing with 15 amps at 110v AC. If the house were running at 12v AC and you put 1500w loads on the outlets, the house would be wired with 4 gauge wire! That's why local code requires 10 ga wire for 30 amp circuits.

It's all in the amps man!