Upgrading 400W inverter possible?

[dvibs07]

I ordered the hybrid with a 400W inverter, and I just saw an article that listed what could be run with it. To be honest, it seems like very few things that will be useful to me. Especially when it comes to charging tools. Is there any way to upgrade the inverter? Can that be done? I’m not sure the limitations of car electronics.

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[FirstFord]

I ordered the hybrid with a 400W inverter, and I just saw an article that listed what could be run with it. To be honest, it seems like very few things that will be useful to me. Especially when it comes to charging tools. Is there any way to upgrade the inverter? Can that be done? I’m not sure the limitations of car electronics.

Can you link to that article for us?

I agree; 400W is extremely limiting. It seems to me that pretty much anything that can run on 400W AC is also available in a 12V DC version, making the inverter kind of pointless.

I'd be happy if anyone is able to counter that statement. I am getting the inverter in my bundle so it'd be nice to find it actually enabling in some way.

 

[Chris_G]

I ordered the hybrid with a 400W inverter, and I just saw an article that listed what could be run with it. To be honest, it seems like very few things that will be useful to me. Especially when it comes to charging tools. Is there any way to upgrade the inverter? Can that be done? I’m not sure the limitations of car electronics.

High DC input current, wire accordingly.

 

[dvibs07]

Can you link to that article for us?

I agree; 400W is extremely limiting. It seems to me that pretty much anything that can run on 400W AC is also available in a 12V DC version, making the inverter kind of pointless.

I'd be happy if anyone is able to counter that statement. I am getting the inverter in my bundle so it'd be nice to find it actually enabling in some way.

https://machinelounge.com/what-will-a-400-watt-power-inverter-run/

Here’s that link!

 

[FirstFord]

Laptop. That's useful.

Small TV. Useful to some people; not to me. Don't need a TV while camping.

Electric blanket? Nah, compact down comforter or sleeping bag.

Freezer? no
Refrigerator? yes, but I think rugged ones are typically 12V anyway.

 

[dvibs07]

Laptop. That's useful.

Small TV. Useful to some people; not to me. Don't need a TV while camping.

Electric blanket? Nah, compact down comforter or sleeping bag.

Freezer? no
Refrigerator? yes, but I think rugged ones are typically 12V anyway.

I would like things like air compressor, multiple charging tools, power to drive electric chainsaws…it seems like a TV and blender is the main appeal to tailgaters lol

 

[bombast]

Pretty sure the inverter is mostly there so you don't need to buy clumsy 12V converters for small electronics. I doubt it was intended for much else.

 

[Davis]

I was going to add it on my build but I couldn't think of anything I'd use it for.

 

[Lappo424]

Only option I got on my hybrid order and I'll never use it

 

[Minister Lewis]

When my parents are in town I'm going to let them use my truck. It will useful to them because she has an electric mobility scooter so they can charge it while they are riding around.

 

[Padre]

Honestly the biggest appeal for me on the inverter was being able to charge my OneWheel off of it.

 

[Msab13]

I ordered the hybrid with a 400W inverter, and I just saw an article that listed what could be run with it. To be honest, it seems like very few things that will be useful to me. Especially when it comes to charging tools. Is there any way to upgrade the inverter? Can that be done? I’m not sure the limitations of car electronics.

You could probably go up to a 1200 watt when the truck is running, you would be using the alternator for power though. You're still just pulling from a 12V car battery, which is not deep cycle and not meant to be run for a long time, and lead acid batteries dont do well when cycled below 50%. So best bet would be power station or solar generator setup in the bed if you need more power.

 

[NewBernWolf]

I was going to add it on my build but I couldn't think of anything I'd use it for.

We'll use it to charge the batteries for assorted tools, our laptops, my electric toothbrush when we're camping and for the air mattress inflator. Things like that. Is it super useful? No. Will we use it? Sure.

 

[Big Kahuna]

You're limited by the existing 12VDC wiring and fuses. The ones in the back are 20 amp. Draw any more than that and you'll pop the fuse. Change the fuses without changing the wire and you'll risk fire or the wires melting (bad news).

If you want to run larger gauge wire direct from battery to a converter than you can run bigger stuff.

 

[FriscoTXJoe]

Non-engineer guy. I ordered this thinking it was just a normal outlet for electric plugs... Am I wrong?

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