Power Inverter/Converter(?)

[Ranger850]

I'm thinking of installing a power inverter to the cab of my truck, while I have it gutted, so I can charge by power tool batteries. Has anyone done thins already? I am also thinking of a 2battery setup to help with charging while the truck is not running. any ideas or info will help.

 

[bobbywalter]

always.


cheap units are cheap...but work well for the money til they die.

.

initially i ran the seimans 2k and bigger units, they were stolen eventually so i wont buy them anymore. maybe if they were hard mounted and hidden that would not happen as often, but i need portability.



when i was running weldernators, getting away with 500 watts or so was easy. now i have a 500 and 1000.


plan is to just keep a 1400 watt generator next.

two batteries with an isolater is ideal. and a jump pack if something messes up....happened to me yesterday in terrehautte...

 

[holyford86]

I'm running dual batteries with a 750w inverter built into my custom center console, it was a cheaper unit but internally it wasn't as crusty as one would think. It works well and takes quite a long time to kill the battery. works great for charging tool batteries and low draw devices.

 

[Doofy]

Installed a decent 2800 watt modified sine wave inverter in my snow plow truck with dual batteries. Works with all my power tools including a couple of chainsaws and pole saws. Did not run my heating systems though because of the fussy and finicky electronic control panels. Had to buy 2000 watt Honda inverter generator anyway.

 

[Ranger850]

Thanks alot guys�� Do any of you mind posting pics? To give some ideas. holyford86, sounds like a good idea.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Hard wire it with a switch and fuse directly from the reserve battery and install a good charge isolator. That way you never discharge the starting battery. A marine battery switch will allow you to start with the aux battery if the main takes a crap. Alot of options available how much you want to spend?

 

[bobbywalter]

 

[Doofy]

Going to wire in maybe a 150-300 watt inverter to charge drone and camera batteries while on the road playing. Really don't want to hook directly to battery but probably should. Not sure they even make decent power receptacle plugs for that purpose. Be nice to have it portable to share between vehicles.

 

[holyford86]

Thanks alot guys�� Do any of you mind posting pics? To give some ideas. holyford86, sounds like a good idea.

I have a couple pics posted on my instagram page, here

 

[Spott]

@Doofy

If you're looking for reliable, high-current DC connectors, take a look at "Anderson Power Poles" connectors. They're available in various sizes for different current capacity. The ham radio guys really like the 30A connectors. Make sure you put them together in a standard orientation.

They can be panel-mounted, or built as a wire pigtail if you add heatshink for strain relief.

Run wires directly to the battery terminal clamps, with a fuse in-line in the positive wire, and grommets anywhere the wires pass through sheet metal. Even better is to use shielded DC wire, and ground the shielding.

I've also seen single-piece molded gray connectors by Anderson that are very similar in shape and function, up to enormous sizes (big enogh for battery-powered forklift charging, rated for 200A at least).

 

[Doofy]

Thanks Spott. I decided to just get a simple 200 and a 300 watt plug-in inverter. No big loads, just camera and drone batteries mostly. The power plugs turned out to be looking and well constructed.