How to get 110 AC

[HSpiering]

I see on page 69 #68 TDR that Ford has a 110 AC. My son just got a 2010Ford 150. No AC, but we did see on a 2010 Dodge 150. It would sure be nice to have when camping. Anyone have an idea as to cost and where to get something like that?

 

[PMould]

110 power

I would get a honda or yamaha inverter generator,for camping. why run the truck to get small amount of power. my 2 cents Pete.

 

[HBarlow]

It is possible to simply buy and install an "Inverter" in your truck which converts 12 vdc to 115vac. I have one in my Dodge. You can buy one at Harbor Freight, Wal-Mart, any truck stop, etc. in various power ratings.

The problem though is that inverters capable of powering anything larger than a laptop computer are expensive to buy and quickly become impractical because of the very high current demand they place on the truck's 12 volt electrical system.

A truck mounted inverter would be useless for camping other than powering a light. I agree with PMould above. For powering camping gear buy a Honda/Yamaha portable generator.

 

[HSpiering]

110 would be nice to say, charge an RV batt as you drive around. Plug in electrical appliance that would work with less than 15 amp. With 15amp you could use it in emergency at home. Yes generator would be better at times but if you use it very little the payback would be less if it was on the truck as an inexpensive option. .

 

[BHanna]

I haven't checked the one in the Ford but my wife's Toyota has one of those. It only gives a max of 400 watts so you can't run power tools or anything with it. It's handy for charging camera batteries or the laptop but you have to pay attention to what you're plugging into it.

 

[HBarlow]

110 would be nice to say, charge an RV batt as you drive around. Plug in electrical appliance that would work with less than 15 amp. With 15amp you could use it in emergency at home. Yes generator would be better at times but if you use it very little the payback would be less if it was on the truck as an inexpensive option. .

The 12 volt electrical system of the truck recharges trailer batteries through the seven pin connector and harness.

The items you mention could not be powered by a typical inverter due to the current they require.

 

[Hoefler]

Amps X Volts = Watts, 110 Volts X 15 Amps = 1650 Watts / 12 Volts = 137. 5 Amps DC



You will fry your electrical system, alternator, and your battery



Your 12 volt power outlet is good for 20 amps



12 volts x 20 amps = 240 watts / 110 volts = 2. 18 amps

 

[Curious Dave]

A Honda 1000i will run smaller power tools and appliances. A 2000i will run most anything you want in a single item application. If you get 2 2000i's then you can hook them in parallel and run up to 30 amps. It's all a matter of what you are trying to do. I use a 2000i all the time and have it in the back of my truck. I use it for heat in the winter and all of my electronics in my truck. I have a complete office in my truck and need power all the time. I tried the invertor thing for awhile and got tired of being w/o power when they failed, as well as having to plug/unplug to change items. For the money the Honda's are the way to go instead of a big invertor. The 2000i also has the ability to charge your battery if you are dead. Sooo... not more jump starts from strangers.

 

[HSpiering]

So my next question is are the just run off an inverter. And if it is 110 AC 15 amp it will do a lot I should think.

 

[sheamc]

The inverters can be handy, but for camping go with a generator. I have used both and the Honda 2k charged batteries, ran lights, even allowed us to show our son a movie on the computer. A friend ran AC for his slide in with it without incident. Around home it ran my heat. I have an outdoor wood furnace and it ran the pump and individual heaters along with outlets in the house. If you'll look here near where I live you may find one for a good price as someone borrowed mine#@$%!



Good Luck,

Shea

 

[Skydiver]

HSpiering, If you are planning on useing the inverter for longer than 10-20 minutes for more than 100 watts your truck batteries will take a beating. Your trucks alternator is not designed to provide large amounts of current for an extended time. Continuosly recharging nearly dead batteries will burn up the windings or the diodes. If I run my truck batteries dead I place them on a charger to recoup the batteries unless it means I'm stranded. The little suitcase Honda generators are nice. I would get the 2000 watt so if needed you can power your refrigerator during a power outage. Still have my original alt.