Can I plug a Shop Vac into the outlets?

[dogwithheadoutwindow]

I have a Hybrid Lariat Lux FE. It has an outlet in the bed and one in the cab. Can they power a vacuum? I'm sorry, I'm clueless when it comes to electricity.

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[bgn]

Nope. Would need like 3-4X the 400 watt inverter it comes with to power it.

 

[MostlySafeBear]

Every device that can plug into an AC outlet has information printed on it regarding its maximum draw.

Look for input current, usually listed in amps.

Since watts are a function of volts multiplied by amps, and you have a 400 watt limit and a 120 volt outlet, anything you plug in should have a listed amperage of 3.3 or less.

Sadly, 120 volt AC vacuums are rarely usable on 3.3 amps of power. The 400 watt inverter is more of a joke, in my opinion.

For anyone that wants to bring up startup surge power, I am intentionally avoiding the concept of surge startup current and the ability of the inverter to handle that, since I'm trying to keep things simple for OP.

Theoretically you can run your own inverter to the truck, but since no one has yet posted firm information/documentation on the capacity of the truck's DC to DC inverter (note, NOT the gas trucks alternator capacity), we can't know how large of an inverter the truck could theoretically run. If we guess and draw more power than the truck can supply, it can burn out very expensive parts of the trucks electrical system.

 

[dogwithheadoutwindow]

Every device that can plug into an AC outlet has information printed on it regarding its maximum draw.

Look for input current, usually listed in amps.

Since watts are a function of volts multiplied by amps, and you have a 400 watt limit and a 120 volt outlet, anything you plug in should have a listed amperage of 3.3 or less.

Sadly, 120 volt AC vacuums are rarely usable on 3.3 amps of power. The 400 watt inverter is more of a joke, in my opinion.

For anyone that wants to bring up startup surge power, I am intentionally avoiding the concept of surge startup current and the ability of the inverter to handle that, since I'm trying to keep things simple for OP.

Theoretically you can run your own inverter to the truck, but since no one has yet posted firm information/documentation on the capacity of the truck's DC to DC inverter (note, NOT the gas trucks alternator capacity), we can't know how large of an inverter the truck could theoretically run. If we guess and draw more power than the truck can supply, it can burn out very expensive parts of the trucks electrical system.

Thank you very much for this explanation! I really do appreciate it!

 

[MostlySafeBear]

Thank you very much for this explanation! I really do appreciate it!

My pleasure.

 

[Decayed]

It's useful for charging phones and laptops, maybe run some LED lights or a really small fan. Nothing that heats up, nothing with a motor in it.

 

[Wx Man]

So an air fryer in the back for tailgating is out of the question

 

[rclee]

I did hook up a 50 inch flat panel LG TV and it worked! I thought it was odd that you have to turn on the ignition for it to work (Bed Cubby 400 W Outlet). I guess when it gets low on the HVB the engine will start and charge things.

 

[brucerob62]

guess dont see the purpose of this if can rarely if ever use it

 

[commadorebob]

guess dont see the purpose of this if can rarely if ever use it

If you are a frequent traveler, having the ability to charge mobile devices and laptops is huge. Small air mattress air pumps will also be within the power rating. Plus, if you have power tools, it is enough to charge them in a pinch.

 

[brucerob62]

If you are a frequent traveler, having the ability to charge mobile devices and laptops is huge. Small air mattress air pumps will also be within the power rating. Plus, if you have power tools, it is enough to charge them in a pinch.

Good to know

 

[TedTX]

They do make small 5 gallon bucket toppers ‘shop vac’ lite. That should work my bee guy uses on on a cheap harbor freight inverter to vacuum bees outta holes and such.

 

[commadorebob]

The smallest vacuum Shop-Vac sells still draws 720 watts. And that's not peak draw. If you must have a vacuum, you'd be better off getting one of these Ryobi handhelds and a pack of batteries you can charge with the truck: https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-O...e-Handheld-Vacuum-Tool-Only-PCL705B/319127159

 

[wax87]

Every device that can plug into an AC outlet has information printed on it regarding its maximum draw.

Look for input current, usually listed in amps.

Since watts are a function of volts multiplied by amps, and you have a 400 watt limit and a 120 volt outlet, anything you plug in should have a listed amperage of 3.3 or less.

Sadly, 120 volt AC vacuums are rarely usable on 3.3 amps of power. The 400 watt inverter is more of a joke, in my opinion.

For anyone that wants to bring up startup surge power, I am intentionally avoiding the concept of surge startup current and the ability of the inverter to handle that, since I'm trying to keep things simple for OP.

Theoretically you can run your own inverter to the truck, but since no one has yet posted firm information/documentation on the capacity of the truck's DC to DC inverter (note, NOT the gas trucks alternator capacity), we can't know how large of an inverter the truck could theoretically run. If we guess and draw more power than the truck can supply, it can burn out very expensive parts of the trucks electrical system.

So would it be good idea to order the whimpy inverter and then just replace it with a better one and you will have the plug and wiring already there? And I understand that if you go much bigger that some of the wiring might need to be updated to handle the increase in AMPs.

 

[MostlySafeBear]

So would it be good idea to order the whimpy inverter and then just replace it with a better one and you will have the plug and wiring already there? And I understand that if you go much bigger that some of the wiring might need to be updated to handle the increase in AMPs.

No, replacing the inverter wouldn't do you any good because the wiring supplying it - both at the fuse box and connecting it to the truck's electrical system - is only capable of so much.

There is some headroom in the wiring, I believe it's actually fused for 60 amps at 12 volts (~720 watts) BUT that is so that the 400 watt inverter can deal with startup surges without popping the fuse. Trying to use all 720 watts of capacity would leave no room for startup surges, so pretty much anything with a motor could not be used, as it would blow the fuse.

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