Having a generator is nice, but there are occasions that it doesn’t make sense to run it. i.e. When we're traveling down the road and need to plug in a cell phone or lap top to re-charge the battery.
While I had the truck torn apart doing other modifications, I decided to install a small inverter for those situations when I didn't want to crank up the generator. i.e. When we're traveling down the road and need to plug in a cell phone or lap top to re-charge the battery, or need to use the drill or whatever.
These small inverters are inexpensive and can supply 110 volts (unfiltered modified sine wave) to many small appliances and even tools like a drill or small compressor.
DESCRIPTION
The inverter is screwed down in the forward compartment where the old TV used to be.
The inverter is connected to the truck (chassis) battery through a relay and a 30 amp fuse. The relay is controlled by a switch on the instrument panel labeled “INVERTER”
I installed a color coded (gray) outlet in the front panel (see photo). This outlet is feed by a short cable that plugs into the inverter. The outlet is labeled “Inverter – 400 watts max”
NOTE - The first time you use a device/appliance with this, or any other unmodified sine wave inverter, keep an eye on it. Although the vast majority of items will run ok with a modified sine wave (laptop, cell phone chargers), here are two items that we've found that won't work. i.e. an electric tooth brush, a re-chargeable flashlight that plugs into the wall to re-charge.
You can read the entire article HERE:
http://www.2001mirada.com/installing...watt-inverter/
Linear Mode
