Inverter location

For those that have experience with 12V to 120V AC inverters, I’m curious to know how you handled the install. Is the inverter in the cab, in a covered bed, somewhere else?

I can’t imagine locating it anywhere besides in the cab where it would be the most accessible, most useful, most protected - but it would mean running thicker gauge higher amperage 12V cable into the cab, which is typically something to be avoided.

Maybe these things don’t draw the amps I think they would (2500W pure sine wave unit)?

If you’ve been down this path, how did you handle it?

 

If you don’t upgrade your alternator then the max inverter size that you can realistically use is a 1000w.

Tundra alternator pumps out about 150 amps with 50a available for use. 14v x 50a = 700w but you can push it a little.

You’ll quickly find out that whatever device you’re trying to power up that actually draws over 1000w will simply not work.

 

I ran my cable into the cab connected to a huge contactor near the battery.

 

Great point - hadn’t considered that aspect yet. Thinking that deprioritizes this project a bit given the level of effort involved in accessing the alternator. After replacing the alternator on a 2003 Passat many years ago, I swore I’d never do another one.

 

In to see others' installs.

A 400W is sufficient for my needs. Was planning on bending some brackets and welding them to the underside of the passenger seat. I did the same for a small audio amp under the driver's seat. Turned out clean.

 

Aim to use 80% of the labeled power for sustained use. 400w x 80% = 320w

 

Well I don’t know what in the hell I was thinking with my 2500 watts - I recomputed my theoretical needs and am much closer to 500, and lower still on a practical basis. So thanks for the reality check here - this puts the project back on the rainy-day list!