I've searched the threads. Has anyone installed an AC outlet in the truck bed? I'd like one near the tailgate to power my pellet cooker. Not to worry, the truck inverter is plenty large enough to handle the load.

Thanks,

matt

 

I’d test it out first in the cab before you say the inverter is powerful enough. The inverters in these trucks are junk.

 

^^^^^^^ this^^^^^^ I've had mine trip just running an already warm crock pot!

 

Shouldn’t be too hard to add a plug in the bed. Keep in mind 400 watts is peak, not continuous, for the stock inverter. The inverter that comes with the truck wasn’t enough for me. So, I installed a couple of agm batteries and an larger inverter in the toolbox.

 

Thanks guys. As I said, should be no problem for the pellet cooker. It draws 300 watts short term then 50 watts long term.

I'm just wondering the best way to run the wires.

 

My little portable traeger wouldn’t work. I’d check yours.

 

Honda generator?

 

Agreed. The inverter output waveform is a modified square wave, not a true sine wave.

See: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post17276759

HTH,
Jim / crewzer

 

The sine wave is needed for electronics, but the square wave should be fine for a simple cooker. I’ve been using small inverters that plug into a cigarette lighter for years to power crock pots. I frequently use them to heat pulled pork and such for picnics, even use them on my boat. Only a 100 watt inverter will work with some pots. I’ve used several pots at the same time with a 500 watt inverter.

The bigger sine wave inverter in my tool box is a different story. It’s fine with TVs, microwaves and such. Evens powers the AC in the camper with ease. Truck has dual alternators, and I have the rear batteries connected to the charging system with an isolator and #2 wire.

 

just keep in mind when you are in your truck, you are insulated from ground, vs standing on the ground operating a electrical appliance . don't just extend the hot and neutral, you need to figure out the ground options. I don't know if the stock inverter is a 60-0-60 inverter or a 120-0 inverter. you need to take that into consideration as the ground consequence varies. if the truck inverter is a 60-0-60 inverter, you cant use appliances that ground to chasis and operate it while standing on the ground.

 

I've been doing a bit of reading on this, as I want to put an inverter in my next SD so that I can power corded tools on the go. Is the factory "Dual Battery" option (includes the 397A alternator) a good enough battery set up to run a decent size inverter in the toolbox?

The new F-150's on board generator has everyone thinking about this topic.

 

Who is gonna be the first to adapt the 2021 Ford F150 in bed power bank to a Super Duty? Man I wish I had this in my truck. It is a great idea.

 

You don't get all 397 amps at the same time. The system uses one alternator at a time, giving each alternator a chance to cool down.

 

The OM contains Ford’s list of what’s supposed to,work, and what may be a problem. I haven’t verified the list.

HTH,
Jim / crewzer

 

That setup in the photo is only available on the hybrid, I believe its a 2 plug setup on the non hybrids. Either way, theres no way I would idle my diesel for hours just for some convenience items, like a tv. I guess I coukd see the novelty of it for camping use or something.
Aside from maybe a welder, the construction angle doesn't make much sense at all, I would much rather use cordless tools when necessary. I know contractors that have already switched out to almost 100% cordless use, regardless of whether or not power is on site. I use cordless more often than not.

I do wish we had a bed plug, in my case just to charge cordless tool batteries (if it could even do that without the truck running). I was really disappointed to find the in cab plug wont even work with the Milwaukee M18 charger. Hoped to be able to charge while driving.