[chijusa]

I plan to install a 1000w inverter in my frontier, but don't realy know if there is any restriction, limitation or special care to do a great job. Does oem electrical system is ok or must change parts (2nd battery or else) What kind of wire? some useful tips?

I wanna use that converter because it cost me almost nothing and it's brand new. And it's far way over power for me...

Thanks all!

 

[Mylt1]

you will need an amp wiring kit or but wielding cable to power it. other than that depending on the size it can be mounted under one of the front seats or under the rear seats. just make sure to get large enough cable to provide it with power and dont forget you need the same size wire for a ground.

 

[bimmernut318]

you will need an amp wiring kit or but wielding cable to power it. other than that depending on the size it can be mounted under one of the front seats or under the rear seats. just make sure to get large enough cable to provide it with power and dont forget you need the same size wire for a ground.

...wire it directly to the battery and make sure to fuse appropriately at the battery

 

[Socalrat630]

also dont forget to put a switch in somewhere o it isnt always on. and personally i would upgrade the battery to an optima yellow top.

the optima will provide more of a deep cycle for running that kind of extra in your truck. you will have to mod the pos battery cable though.

 

[RBOWWOW]

I like this guys set-up...
Mounted to seat vs. floor: Power Inverter Install (long w/ lots of pics) - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

And his update where he added a fuse: ~Update~ power inverter install - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

 

[Mylt1]

also dont forget to put a switch in somewhere o it isnt always on. and personally i would upgrade the battery to an optima yellow top.

the optima will provide more of a deep cycle for running that kind of extra in your truck. you will have to mod the pos battery cable though.

switch is not needed if the unit has a switch built in. i would NOT pay for an optima battery. there are better choices out there for less money. the Deka intimidater being one of them. sears also has a vey good battery. optima you are paying for a name and nothing more. why would he need to mod the pos battery cable? all he needs is a ring terminal from a car amp kit.

http://www.clubfrontier.org/forums/f23/inverter-under-my-front-seat-26274/ no need to go off site for a writeup.

 

[Inyourface1650]

eh, I run a 1500 watt off a 24 series duralast gold - it works fine. no need to upgrade batteries.

 

[scuba91ta]

how long does a battery last when using the invertor? I killled my battery in all of about 45 minutes running my head lights and a 55w equivalent flourecent bulb in a drop light... thank god I had my jump pack! From now on i'll be sure the truck is running!

 

[Mylt1]

most inverters have a low voltage cut off. once the power supply(battery) hits a predetermined voltage it shuts off. its a built in safety so you dont permanently damage the battery. damage can be done even after one over discharge.

 

[chijusa]

So alternator and battery are ok for a 1000w inverter.

What wire gauge should I use? what is the current draw?

I plan to use a switched relay (if I find one that can hande correct amps) to use only when truck keyis on a specific position... But dont realy know if acc is correct, or must be "on" when engine is running...

 

[chijusa]

sorry, did a mistake, it's a 800w inverter... always far enough for me!!! 800w peak, 640 continuus power @ 115V 5.6 amps

 

[scuba91ta]

most inverters have a low voltage cut off. once the power supply(battery) hits a predetermined voltage it shuts off. its a built in safety so you dont permanently damage the battery. damage can be done even after one over discharge.

Yeah, most batteries do NOT like a discharge like that! - My invertor has the cut off too, but I must have shut things down just before it kicked in or something. I was running the headlights and the invertor with a drop light hooked up for probably half hour and that was enough to not be able to start the truck... Thankfully I had my jump pack with me. The low voltage cutoff is probably at 10V anyways, kinda low for a cranking something over in the cold!

 

[Inyourface1650]

I must admit I have never attempted to use mine without the truck running. of course I'm not one to get stranded by a dead battery either for exactly that reason.

 

[chijusa]

For a safer install, I'll install a relay at least in "accessory" key position. So no key,, no inverter, no surprising dead battery. The model I've is an electronical one, must be turned on at every use (it's a digital switch...) so underseat install cannot be done for practical reasons. It is very similar to that one:
http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/268/p/2565/pt/7/product.asp

Any idea for positioning it in our truck?
I plan to use 4 awg wire for power and ground, a 80amp fuse and a 80amp + relay. Is it ok?

 

[Mylt1]

you know that you can just open that up and extend the switch to somewhere that its convenient to turn it on and off. under the seat is the best location. since that unit only draws .3 amps when off as long as you drive the truck an a regular basis there it no need for a relay to provide power. as for wiring it up i would do a 4AWG to a splitter and then use a smaller AWG wire from the splitter to the inverter since its a smaller inverter. that also gives you an additional option of adding more 12v accs later down the road.