Running a 5000 watt inverter off of the 2 underhood batteries...

[Jeepmullet]

http://www.invertersrus.com/inv5000w.html



I was thinking of wiring that inverter under the back seat and using the 24 volt version wired in parallel with both batteries. I have a couple questions...



1. Would the length of 0 gauge wire I need to run it all the way to the back seat have too much of a parasitic loss from resistance to effectively mount it back there?



2. Would it just make more sense to buy 2 deep cycle batteries and mount it in a toolbox in the back? If I did that could I run a cable from under the hood to charge the batteries used to power the inverter? I'm guessing I would need some extra electronics to charge those batteries.



I would rather use the batteries already in the truck, but if it's not practical we'll see what else I can do.

 

[Hoefler]

The inverter needs to mounted where it can get good air circulation. You won't be able to run 24 volt off your truck batteries with out shorting them out. You can run them as 12 volt or 24 volt, not both. The deep cycle batteries would by far perform better than the cranking batteries. What do you plan on running on the inverter?? In order to obtain your 5000 watts of power, you would consume over 200 amps on 24 volt, and over 400 amps on 12 volt. Volts X Amps = Watts. Your alternator would burn up trying to keep up.

 

[Jeepmullet]

The inverter needs to mounted where it can get good air circulation. You won't be able to run 24 volt off your truck batteries with out shorting them out. You can run them as 12 volt or 24 volt, not both. The deep cycle batteries would by far perform better than the cranking batteries. What do you plan on running on the inverter?? In order to obtain your 5000 watts of power, you would consume over 200 amps on 24 volt, and over 400 amps on 12 volt. Volts X Amps = Watts. Your alternator would burn up trying to keep up.

Duh, I guess I should have known that. wiring in parallel would wire all the batteries together.



Anyways, it wouldnt be something I was running at all unless I was needing to run some tools at the lake where I didnt have power. I figure if I get a 5kW inverter and an $300 deep cycle battery like this one... http://www.invertersrus.com/gpl-4c.html I could run tools for at least a few minutes without discharging the battery too far.



What would I need to buy to safely charge/maintain a battery I buy to run the inverter using my truck.



would the simplest be to use another power inverter (a small one) wired to the truck batteries and run a 110 charger to the deep cycle battery? Would there be a way to divert my alternator charging to recharge/maintain that extra battery?

 

[San Felipe Bob]

Invert = upside down?

Jeep



I have a small 800 watt inverter.

It's monted under the center console seat.

It will run MOST power tools that draw less than 7 amps.

Be warned even tools listed as 7 amps will draw more than 7 when put under heavy load.



My next inverter will be a 2000watt.

I'll be able to run just about anything with that.

2000watt should handle 18 to 19 amp tools.



I love my inverter and will never be without one in any of my vehicles.

They are quiet reliable power.

Generators suck when exploring the great outdoors.



I recommend chosing the smallest inverter that will run your biggest tool.



I use the new flourescent bulbs in drop lights for camping.



Be sure to keep your charging system in top order including your batteries.



I have the Odyessy 1700 batteries in my truck.

I can run my inverter for hours with out needing to start the truck.



SFB

 

[ohnoitsyu]

I recommend chosing the smallest inverter that will run your biggest tool.

hehe... he said "run your biggest tool"



5000 watts is huge! I didn't do the math, but you'd probably need 4/0 cable (that's not 4awg, 4/0 is as big as your thumb).



I just installed a 1200 watt Vector inverter, and they recommend a 250 amp fuse - that equates to 2awg cable for mounting it under the seat. For the same company's 3000 watt inverter, they recommend a 500 amp fuse. 5000 watts is huge! I didn't do the math, but you'd probably need 4/0 cable (that's not 4awg, 4/0 is as big as your thumb). I hope you don't plan on running an A/C unit with this thing!



Parasitic losses aren't the concern; supplying enough power to the beast is - if it's truly capable of 5000 watts.



1000 to 1500 watt models should be able to run virtually all of your typical power tools. Regardless of how many batteries - within reason - you will not be able to run the inverter at peak power for more than a couple minutes at the most. Follow SFB's advice and get the smallest inverter you can get away with.

 

[BILLVO]

You won't be able to run 24 volt off your truck batteries with out shorting them out. You can run them as 12 volt or 24 volt, not both.

There is a lot of equipment out there that run 24v off of 12v systems through the use of relays and diodes. It is for starting only usually, you couldn't run 24v for long on the system without running the batteries down. We have 24v jump start stations on all of our service trucks that are 12v systems.

 

[David Pendleton]

You could spend a bit more money and get a small generator, like a Honda eu1000i...



I have an eu2000i and swear by it.

 

[AMink]

I was thinking of doing the same thing in my truck a while back. After doing the research, it got very expensive to do it right. I have a 2500 watt inverter. You want the inverter as close to the batteries as possible, but mine said not to install in an area where it could get wet, thus no underhood, thus not close to batteries. You could put extra batteries elsewhere in the truck and run them off the alternator, maybe through an A-B-AB switch, but charging four batteries off the stock alternator would be tough on the alternator. I finally just put it in my travel trailer. The fuse set required cost more than the inverter! I got it at West Marine and it's a BIG fuse. I don't understand exactly what I read, but it had something to do with big power feedbacks through the batteries or something like that. Maybe a marine inverter under the hood and use it only with the hood open? It wasn't nearly as easy as it sounded when I bought the inverter in the first place!

 

[Kingsbury]

Inverter size

I have been running an inverter in my pickups for 8 years now. Our Dodge diesels will really only handle about 1500 watts charging at idle. Any more and you will be using electricty from your batteries. I put my inverters under the passenger seat and power just about anything I want. I have 1500/3000 surge. If you have any questions you can PM and I'll do my best to answer them. Good luck. Paul

 

[NVR FNSH]

I think there was an article in Peterson's 4WOR about a 12V/24V system they wired into the project SuperDuty - maybe within the last 3 years or so.



Get a Honda EU2000 and don't worry about running power tools off the truck.



Brian

 

[ohnoitsyu]

A 1000 watt inverter is a small fraction of the cost of a Honda EU1000. You also don't need to keep a can of gas handy with an inverter. You also don't need to worry about it getting stolen (SFB can comment how desirable generators are in Mexico - especially if not well secured). The inverter is a lot quieter. You don't have to worry about heat or exhaust gases with an inverter. You don't have to worry about carrying something around - the inverter is an install-and-forget-it kind of deal.

 

[NVR FNSH]

The Honda generator is a heck of a lot quieter than your truck for charging batteries... .



If you're only going to power tools intermittently then you're correct.



Brian