Power Inverter
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 209
Bismic did a great inverter install on his truck. The size of his system might be overkill for your application, but his product research and install is very sound. Do it right, and usage will be transparent.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 1
From: Lakeland, TN
Is there a write up somewhere on that? I've always wanted an inverter and kind of had that in mind when I put the big alternator on earlier this year.
Last edited by DieselVol; Jul 10, 2013 at 11:47 PM. Reason: iPhone auto edit
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,893
Likes: 3,611
I just upgraded the powergate isolator switch to a 300A unit. It also has a "momentary-on" feature where it will actually let current from the two spare batteries flow backwards through the switch ONLY while the switch is held in. This would allow the two spare batteries to be used to start the engine in the event that the two primary batteries were dead.
I will try to find the thread on it, but I have pics of the build in one of my albums.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Asheville, NC
If you truly are just needing to run a drill, with all the long lasting high torque cordless drills a available why go through all the trouble of an inverter? Most of them hold a charge really well and have a charger that can plug into the lighter plug.
Just my .02 worth
Just my .02 worth
Wiser by FTE
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,837
Likes: 48
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 6
From: Eastern PA
You have a 7 pin trailer plug right? That middle pin is 12v @30a i believe. Should be a way to change that to a plug just when you want to plug in your drill.
I agree with Dan though. I have a dewalt 9a drill, and a set of 19.2v craftsman cordless drills, and I almost never use the dewalt.
I agree with Dan though. I have a dewalt 9a drill, and a set of 19.2v craftsman cordless drills, and I almost never use the dewalt.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 0
From: Oakville, Ontario
Just be careful of the types of thing you will be plugging into the inverter. To charge batteries (cell, Laptops). you will need a true sine wave inverter not a modified sine wave inverter. Modified will kill the battery. You get what you pay for.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
From: North Pole
I'm wanting to install one so I can run a small freezer in the back while out in hte "field" here in Alaska.
Fishing, hunting, camping... ect.
Got price of the wire, accessories, and then a estimate for that shop to do whole thing ($500) .
Actually looking at letting them do it, my labor has to be worth something, and the material cost was $375... so just anothe $125 for their work.
Chris
Fishing, hunting, camping... ect.
Got price of the wire, accessories, and then a estimate for that shop to do whole thing ($500) .
Actually looking at letting them do it, my labor has to be worth something, and the material cost was $375... so just anothe $125 for their work.
Chris
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 1
From: Lakeland, TN
Is there a way to run these straight off of the alternator? Seems like that would give more power, avoid draining or adding a battery, but would require that the truck be running. Is that a bad idea or even possible?
Wiser by FTE
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,837
Likes: 48
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,893
Likes: 3,611
No the batteries supplies the power to the load. The alternator charges the batteries. A isolated battery would be best, then if you ran the battery down the truck would still start. With a large load on my inverters (5000w & 1800w), I would start the engine to help out. These inverters seem to wear out batteries faster that normal.
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