Community Forums

johns1959 · 06-24-2021, 06:34 PM

Hello All,

I am thinking about installing a 2000W sine wave inverter in my new F350 SRW. I figure it will come in handy for camping, tailgating, and to become another tool in my emergency preparedness toolbox. My first idea was to install the inverter behind the back seat in the crew cab. I would then rig up wiring into the bed and install a 120V outlet back there (weather proof of course). But then I got to thinking about making it more versatile and maybe running the 12V wiring to the tailgate area and terminate it in an Anderson connector (the kind they like to use for solar panels and such). This would allow me to plug in an inverter when the situation calls for it but it could also be used to plug in 12V accessories for use behind the truck (air compressor, jumper cables, winch, 12V fridge, etc.). Has anyone here done something like this in their truck? What are your thoughts on which way to approach it? Any installation advice? Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this...

Regards,

John

jrollf · 06-24-2021, 06:50 PM

You'll likely need to add a deep cycle battery bank as the inverter of this size could quickly run the pickup batteries dead.

A 2000 watt inverter at full load will pull around 170 amps (including inefficiencies) from the batteries. A typical 100amp/hour lead acid battery would last less than 30 minutes before being discharged to the point of being damaged.

Also FYI, the alternator likely would not be able to continously provide enough power for the inverter either, good chance it will overheat and burn up. A "200 amp" alternator can typically only maintain 200 amps for 10-15 minutes. There are aftermarket alternators that are rated for 100% duty cycles, but they aren't cheap.

Nwcid · 06-24-2021, 09:17 PM

2000 watts is a lot to be pulling off a single starting battery, 2 if you have a diesel. I will just echo what the above poster said.

Also large inverters typically should be placed less than 10' from the battery. You will need very large wire though, for 170 amps if you use 0000 ga wire you can go about 13'.

I know Anderson connectors are popular but I found I like the Pollak 2 pole style better. These can be used with up to 4ga wire and plug/unplug as easy as a trailer style connector. It is what I use to hook my truck and trailer together for power sharing and any of my 12v items like my macerator use the same plug.

johns1959 · 06-25-2021, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrollf

You'll likely need to add a deep cycle battery bank as the inverter of this size could quickly run the pickup batteries dead.

A 2000 watt inverter at full load will pull around 170 amps (including inefficiencies) from the batteries. A typical 100amp/hour lead acid battery would last less than 30 minutes before being discharged to the point of being damaged.

Also FYI, the alternator likely would not be able to continously provide enough power for the inverter either, good chance it will overheat and burn up. A "200 amp" alternator can typically only maintain 200 amps for 10-15 minutes. There are aftermarket alternators that are rated for 100% duty cycles, but they aren't cheap.

Thanks jrollf,

That sounds like good advice. Maybe I don't really need 2000 watts. My thinking was to be able to recharge my freezers if the power goes out (we live in a hurricane zone and when it goes out it is out for days). In that scenario, I would probably do that every few hours with the truck idling. It sounds like I need to put some more thought into this. Thanks for the advice.

Regards,

John

johns1959 · 06-25-2021, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nwcid

2000 watts is a lot to be pulling off a single starting battery, 2 if you have a diesel. I will just echo what the above poster said.

Also large inverters typically should be placed less than 10' from the battery. You will need very large wire though, for 170 amps if you use 0000 ga wire you can go about 13'.

I know Anderson connectors are popular but I found I like the Pollak 2 pole style better. These can be used with up to 4ga wire and plug/unplug as easy as a trailer style connector. It is what I use to hook my truck and trailer together for power sharing and any of my 12v items like my macerator use the same plug.

Thanks Nwcid,

That sounds like good advice. Where do you get the Pollak connectors?

Regards,

John

traveldawg · 06-25-2021, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johns1959

Thanks jrollf,

That sounds like good advice. Maybe I don't really need 2000 watts. My thinking was to be able to recharge my freezers if the power goes out (we live in a hurricane zone and when it goes out it is out for days). In that scenario, I would probably do that every few hours with the truck idling. It sounds like I need to put some more thought into this. Thanks for the advice.

Regards,

John

Maybe compare the cost of a 2000W inverter and all the associated wiring with a small generator if all you want to do is run a freezer.

Better yet - when the hurricane comes get out of town - forget that freezer.

Nwcid · 06-25-2021, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johns1959

Thanks Nwcid,

That sounds like good advice. Where do you get the Pollak connectors?

Regards,

John

Many vendors on the internet, including off brand ones. I think I used Amazon. Also just about any truck stop/service center.

johns1959 · 06-26-2021, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by traveldawg

Maybe compare the cost of a 2000W inverter and all the associated wiring with a small generator if all you want to do is run a freezer.

Better yet - when the hurricane comes get out of town - forget that freezer.

Thanks travedawg,

That is good advice. I have a construction generator at the house that I can use for the freezers but I am looking to expand options (generators can be unreliable and they use fuel that is hard to come for a while after a hurricane). A small inverter generator is definitely on the wish list too. Someday I hope to have a backup whole house generator to keep us going automatically...

Our model for evacuation (depending on the strength of the storm) is to run a few hundred miles in the safest direction and hole up. Once the storm passes I run back to check on the house and begin clean-up/repairs until it is safe for the family to return. I keep 10-12 2L soft drink bottles full of water in my freezers so they can go several days with no power before we start losing food.

Regards,

John

bross · 06-27-2021, 01:09 PM

Sounds like you need a new Lightning...
https://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/f150-lightning/2022/

"Ford Intelligent Backup Power that can provide full-home power for up to 3 days on a fully charged battery, or as long as 10 days if rationing power."

tuffr2 · 06-27-2021, 04:25 PM

Not sure when the Ford built in generator will come to the Super Duty Trucks but that is what you need. It is not here yet. It is an option for the new F-150's, just not the Super Duty Trucks yet.

Sent from my SM-G930V using iRV2 - RV Forum mobile app

johns1959 · 06-28-2021, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffr2

Not sure when the Ford built in generator will come to the Super Duty Trucks but that is what you need. It is not here yet. It is an option for the new F-150's, just not the Super Duty Trucks yet.

Sent from my SM-G930V using iRV2 - RV Forum mobile app

Thanks tuffr2,

Yeah I was reading about that on another forum. It kind of frosts me when they tell you we have this great feature but you can't have it on the Superduty. When I asked about the backup assist module when I picked up my truck, they told me that was only provided for the F150. It seems to me it should also come with the truck they are touting from the rooftops as the best towing machine you can buy... Maybe it will be an aftermarket option in the future...

Regards,

John

tuffr2 · 06-28-2021, 05:51 PM

Usually the Super Duty trucks are 2 model years behind the 150. 2015 The F-150 was aluminum body. In 2017 the Super Duty was aluminum body

The interior of the F-150 was improved on the 2021 models but I think that same interior will be on the 2022 Super Duty trucks. I say this because the cab is the same so it should be easy to upgrade the interior. With that, maybe the 2022 Super Duty trucks will have a built in generator option.

I am not sure why Ford does not update all the trucks at the same model year but they don't...at least not yet.