I am looking to install a 2000w or 3000w inverter in my 2005 F-150 Screw. Has anyone here done this b4? Would love to do this project on my own. Would I use an isolator or a switch? I would like to attach inverter off a second battery (marine). Any help would greatly be appreciated.

 

It's fairly straight forward... If you intend to run additional batteries I would recommend a battery seperator not an isolator. We have used both and have had much better results with the seperators.

Also, a couple of notes...

An inverter requires 10 amps DC for every 100 watts of AC load...

If you are going to run a computer you will need a pure sinewave inverter



You can find seperators (or isolators) anywhere this was just the first reference I came to...

http://rvpartscenter.com/prodselect....ID=131&CID=395

Additional information...

http://www.windsun.com/Inverters/Inverter_selection.htm

 

Thanks for your reply. If I cut inverter down to 1000w, would a 2nd battery be recommended?

 

You can still use a 3000 watt inverter...an inverter only supplies the amount of power needed...
Plug a 100w bulb into it... you only use a 100 watts of power... it would run for hours.
Plug ten 300w flood lights into it and it would drain a battery in minutes.

Size the inverter to your needs - decide what you will use the invertor for, computer, TV, emergency power, etc. If your power requirements are less than 1500 watts then No, you probably can get by without an additional battery if you expect to pull more than 1500 watts then Yes, I would install the extra battery.

One option to look for is low voltage shut-off (most major brands have this) which will protect your equipment, invertor and your battery.


Hope this helps...

 

Thanks BandBFord. I will be using it lightly. Power 18v batts, blowing up air mat., running radio, power drill. I just don't want under power and want to install correctly. I do low voltage, so I am comfortable with DIY. Would like to learn how to install this. My last task was to install a Pioneer Avic Z1 with sirius and rear cam. The rear cam was a cinch, because I do security cams for a living. Would love to hear your setup (if installed). Any help would be appreciated.

 

2,000 or 3,000watts is way overkill for what you need. I have a 400watt inverter that I put into my Explorer when I was working out of the truck for charging my drills, computer, etc. I can charge my 19.2v Porter Cable battery and the 14.4 Bosch as well as charging the laptop without a problem. Depending on the power drill you might need a bigger one but for everything else the 400watt is plenty. I hardwired mine into the battery and mounted it in the back.

edit: Forgot to mention that I would charge the batteries throughout the day and the truck had no problem starting when I went home.

 

Mr CMK, what brand/model do you have?