Anyone Rigged An Inverter In The Bed?

[TrailMaster]

Just brainstorming. Wondering if anyone has rigged up a pure sine wave inverter into the bed cubby? Curious what the included wiring is capable of handling. I have a small 400w pure sine wave inverter I'd like to install into a cubby. It can also plug into a 12v automotive (cigarette lighter) plug, but only puts out around 150w that way. Direct battery connection will put out the full 400w.

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[MavTime]

I am curious myself since the used Mav I am about to buy doesn't have the inverter. Does the factory option use the existing DIY 12V wiring near the tailgate or did it have its own wiring harness with larger gauge wires?

 

[WildGrok]

Just brainstorming. Wondering if anyone has rigged up a pure sine wave inverter into the bed cubby? Curious what the included wiring is capable of handling. I have a small 400w pure sine wave inverter I'd like to install into a cubby. It can also plug into a 12v automotive (cigarette lighter) plug, but only puts out around 150w that way. Direct battery connection will put out the full 400w.

I would not do it
400W means 33 amps discharge from the battery
150w means 12.5 amps, that is not so bad, but still would discharge a 50 amp hours battery in 4 hours or so
And 150w is good for small tv, some led lights for the party night etc
end of my 2 cents

 

[Ranch]

I would not do it
400W means 33 amps discharge from the battery
150w means 12.5 amps, that is not so bad, but still would discharge a 50 amp hours battery in 4 hours or so
And 150w is good for small tv, some led lights for the party night etc
end of my 2 cents

Yep. I have a 400 watt Bestek inverter with a 12 volt plug. I wouldn't try to pull more than 200 watts for very long unless you keep the engine running.

I have multiple power stations and portable solar panels to satisfy my power needs while camping. A Mavericks battery isn't designed for that kind of use.

 

[TrailMaster]

That answers my question, thanks.

I've also got a 1500w pure sine solar generator. I will be bringing that along for 120v power on camping trips.

 

[Maverickman74]

One day I am gonna get a solar panel on the roof of my topper and install a battery and inverter in the bedside void outside the cubby. Then put outlets in the cubby.

 

[RonFLA]

I personally, wouldn’t bother. AC inverters are becoming less and less needed with so many consumer products being DC voltage capable. Even many camping, cooking, TV’s and power tool chargers have 12v cigarette plugs now. Less need for those energy hog, AC inverters!

 

[Tim d]

Just brainstorming. Wondering if anyone has rigged up a pure sine wave inverter into the bed cubby? Curious what the included wiring is capable of handling. I have a small 400w pure sine wave inverter I'd like to install into a cubby. It can also plug into a 12v automotive (cigarette lighter) plug, but only puts out around 150w that way. Direct battery connection will put out the full 400w.

Isn't this what is already in the truck from the factory on XLT and lariat?

 

[TrailMaster]

Isn't this what is already in the truck from the factory on XLT and lariat?

Just an option, and I don't think it's available ala carte. Pretty sure it's included in the lux package.

 

[Darnon]

I am curious myself since the used Mav I am about to buy doesn't have the inverter. Does the factory option use the existing DIY 12V wiring near the tailgate or did it have its own wiring harness with larger gauge wires?

The Lux Package bed inverter outlet is wired to the same inverter in the center console as the in-cab outlet. So, yes, that means there's 120V AC running all the way back to the rear of the truck. It's also somewhat small wiring (18 gauge), but I guess they figure they can get away with it only limited to 400w.

 

[MavTime]

The Lux Package bed inverter outlet is wired to the same inverter in the center console as the in-cab outlet. So, yes, that means there's 120V AC running all the way back to the rear of the truck. It's also somewhat small wiring (18 gauge), but I guess they figure they can get away with it only limited to 400w.

Thank you, I forgot about the interior outlet and it makes sense the inverter is near it in the interior and closer to the 12v battery, then 120V wiring to the bed outlet. For DIY I might look at putting an inverter in the bed, but that will need a heavy gauge 12v run.

 

[WildGrok]

Thank you, I forgot about the interior outlet and it makes sense the inverter is near it in the interior and closer to the 12v battery, then 120V wiring to the bed outlet. For DIY I might look at putting an inverter in the bed, but that will need a heavy gauge 12v run.

I would to this:
have a charged battery available (fed with with a trickle charger)
when you are going in the trip load it in the truck together with the inverter
no wiring needed!

 

[TrailMaster]

Yeah, I sure wouldn't feel comfortable with 18 gauge wiring running 400w, even for a short time.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Thank you, I forgot about the interior outlet and it makes sense the inverter is near it in the interior and closer to the 12v battery, then 120V wiring to the bed outlet. For DIY I might look at putting an inverter in the bed, but that will need a heavy gauge 12v run.

I noticed that fuze 84 is 20amp for 12v Bed PowerPoint and fuze 85 is 60 amp labeled for power inverter. The assumption that would be for the 400 watt modified sine Ford inverter. So the wire to "the inverter" rates a 60amp fuze??? Irregardless of actual draw?? The inverter then could have a current limiter if needed?

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Yeah, I sure wouldn't feel comfortable with 18 gauge wiring running 400w, even for a short time.

I wouldn't feel comfortable either but found this: So, what is 18 gauge wire good for? You can use it for up to 1680 watts at 120 volts and 3080 watts at 220 volts. However, this cable size is more commonly used in low voltage applications, and if you need a cord that will handle more power, you can switch to a 16 gauge wire.

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