AC Outlet in Bed
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 14,302
Likes: 2,197
You should plan on inverters to charge batteries in between the inverter loads.
amp draw on inverters is usually 100 amps per 1000 watts .
good news is that inverter draw for power tools is burst oriented vs continuous.
factor location of inverter and power cable size...to small of a cable and it will act like a limiter
amp draw on inverters is usually 100 amps per 1000 watts .
good news is that inverter draw for power tools is burst oriented vs continuous.
factor location of inverter and power cable size...to small of a cable and it will act like a limiter
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
I just had the box lifted on my truck to install the factory fifth wheel, and I think it would be simple to run your wires along the frame. When I was under there, I didn't look specifically for wire routing, but from what I recall you could put the wire in a protective loom and zip tie it along with the fuel lines, or that harness that goes to the front of the truck.
For a plug install in the box, I would look for something that had a good rubber plug to keep it safe from the elements. Google marine and rv stuff for ideas.
Hope that actually helped answer the question you asked!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 4,064
Likes: 13
Ha, don't ya just love forums? Ask a question, get a ton of opinions that have nothing to do with what you're asking. Love FTE, but this has always happened here, and it's frustrating when you are looking for an answer or help.
I just had the box lifted on my truck to install the factory fifth wheel, and I think it would be simple to run your wires along the frame. When I was under there, I didn't look specifically for wire routing, but from what I recall you could put the wire in a protective loom and zip tie it along with the fuel lines, or that harness that goes to the front of the truck.
For a plug install in the box, I would look for something that had a good rubber plug to keep it safe from the elements. Google marine and rv stuff for ideas.
Hope that actually helped answer the question you asked!
I just had the box lifted on my truck to install the factory fifth wheel, and I think it would be simple to run your wires along the frame. When I was under there, I didn't look specifically for wire routing, but from what I recall you could put the wire in a protective loom and zip tie it along with the fuel lines, or that harness that goes to the front of the truck.
For a plug install in the box, I would look for something that had a good rubber plug to keep it safe from the elements. Google marine and rv stuff for ideas.
Hope that actually helped answer the question you asked!
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,422
Likes: 20
Doesn’t have a 2017+ duty or a pellet smoker so he can’t warn OP that there’s a 75% chance that it won’t work but saying running wires down the frame was extremely helpful 🤦♂️
Edit. I was told he has an 18 but isn’t updated signature.
Edit 2. Normally I would back a fellow Sask resident up but.... oh, the irony.
Edit. I was told he has an 18 but isn’t updated signature.
Edit 2. Normally I would back a fellow Sask resident up but.... oh, the irony.
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
Doesn’t have a 2017+ duty or a pellet smoker so he can’t warn OP that there’s a 75% chance that it won’t work but saying running wires down the frame was extremely helpful 🤦♂️
Edit. I was told he has an 18 but isn’t updated signature.
Edit 2. Normally I would back a fellow Sask resident up but.... oh, the irony.
Edit. I was told he has an 18 but isn’t updated signature.
Edit 2. Normally I would back a fellow Sask resident up but.... oh, the irony.
The guy didn't ask for any opinion but how to run the wires, and no one answered him.
He figured he did his homework and posted his wattage of his smoker, and still no one was answering his question.
But yes, I'm sure your response was definitely more helpful in regards to helping the guy run his wires.
"The invertor is junk, and your own Trager wouldn't work" yes... Very helpful for running wires 👍
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 4,064
Likes: 13
You do know that this was the root question, "Has anyone installed an AC outlet in the truck bed?". Seeing as none of us that responded actually have installed an "AC outlet in the truck bed", including yourself, and therefore have not actually done the routing, we can only give opinions, advice, and maybe some words of caution. There is a very good chance that the pitiful factory inverter is not up to the task, its possible that some bit of helpful info could save him from a wasted endeavor, or not. I have to assume that he's intelligent enough to know that running wires along the frame is an option, but that was very nice of you to tell him the obvious.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,422
Likes: 20
I don't need backup, I prefer to answer the question that was asked.
The guy didn't ask for any opinion but how to run the wires, and no one answered him.
He figured he did his homework and posted his wattage of his smoker, and still no one was answering his question.
But yes, I'm sure your response was definitely more helpful in regards to helping the guy run his wires.
"The invertor is junk, and your own Trager wouldn't work" yes... Very helpful for running wires 👍
The guy didn't ask for any opinion but how to run the wires, and no one answered him.
He figured he did his homework and posted his wattage of his smoker, and still no one was answering his question.
But yes, I'm sure your response was definitely more helpful in regards to helping the guy run his wires.
"The invertor is junk, and your own Trager wouldn't work" yes... Very helpful for running wires 👍
The original question was has anybody done this? Nobody answered the only question that was asked. Your post didn’t answer that question either. The inverter having enough power to run it may not be correct. That is why others jumped in to explain the inverter output. No sense running wires and buying parts before it is tested and confirmed operational for the suggested task.
Im pretty sure OPs second question, referring how to run the wires, applied to running them from the inverter, through the cab and up in to the box. With regards to this application, saying running wires down the frame would be the same as answering “just spray it” when a guy asks how to paint his vehicle.
Before you come storming in acting all high and mighty, maybe look around at the group that is trying to collectively attack a problem from every angle to inform the OP of potential failures with the planned modification.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,422
Likes: 20
I dont know about that. We might have to ask the group who did it better. Lol. Hopefully we get a direct answer 😂
Sorry OP. I’m returning the hijacked thread back to you.
Sorry OP. I’m returning the hijacked thread back to you.
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
You do know that this was the root question, "Has anyone installed an AC outlet in the truck bed?". Seeing as none of us that responded actually have installed an "AC outlet in the truck bed", including yourself, and therefore have not actually done the routing, we can only give opinions, advice, and maybe some words of caution. There is a very good chance that the pitiful factory inverter is not up to the task, its possible that some bit of helpful info could save him from a wasted endeavor, or not. I have to assume that he's intelligent enough to know that running wires along the frame is an option, but that was very nice of you to tell him the obvious.
What was your advice for him regarding his question anyways...? Right, you didn't answer it. Helpful reply!
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
The original question was has anybody done this? Nobody answered the only question that was asked. Your post didn’t answer that question either. The inverter having enough power to run it may not be correct. That is why others jumped in to explain the inverter output. No sense running wires and buying parts before it is tested and confirmed operational for the suggested task.
Im pretty sure OPs second question, referring how to run the wires, applied to running them from the inverter, through the cab and up in to the box. With regards to this application, saying running wires down the frame would be the same as answering “just spray it” when a guy asks how to paint his vehicle.
Before you come storming in acting all high and mighty, maybe look around at the group that is trying to collectively attack a problem from every angle to inform the OP of potential failures with the planned modification.
Im pretty sure OPs second question, referring how to run the wires, applied to running them from the inverter, through the cab and up in to the box. With regards to this application, saying running wires down the frame would be the same as answering “just spray it” when a guy asks how to paint his vehicle.
Before you come storming in acting all high and mighty, maybe look around at the group that is trying to collectively attack a problem from every angle to inform the OP of potential failures with the planned modification.
Remind me again how you and your forcal pal helped the guy run wires?
If the op would ask about running the wires more in depth, I would address that as well.
Not just try and defend a post that has nothing to do with the original questions.
I reiterate read back through the posts that the op made, he said the invertor would work for his application, and asked about running wires.
Why you guys have to assume he didn't do his research and needs to know information that isnt relevant to what he's asking, I'll never know.
To the op, sorry about these kind of posts, these guys just don't seem to get what you're asking about.
If you care to elaborate your question any more, maybe someone can help and give you more of what you're asking for, not opinions that are irrelevant. (Then a couple guys trying too hard to defend their poor posts!)
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,726
Likes: 12,872
From: Wyoming
The information that TeddyD and Forcal provided may have been enough to convince the OP that running wires from the OEM inverter was a waste of time. The OEM inverter isn't that great and is rather limited in what it will power.