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Bigger Inverter

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by ohiotacoma, May 8, 2011.

  1. May 8, 2011 at 1:12 PM
    #1
    ohiotacoma

    ohiotacoma [OP] New Member

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    Has anyone installed a bigger inverter? would be nice to be able to run tools that draw more then 400W was wondering if anyone has changed theirs?
     
  2. May 8, 2011 at 10:40 PM
    #2
    MJonaGS32

    MJonaGS32 MJ on a GS

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    I have a 750W inverter that I hooked up to the battery so the truck doesn't necessarily have to be turned on for me to use it. I removed the receptacles from the inverter and relocated them to the center console. I also added another cig outlet to it.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  3. May 9, 2011 at 5:38 AM
    #3
    doubletaco

    doubletaco Well-Known Member

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    Where did you put the inverter? Do you have a write up on it?
     
  4. May 9, 2011 at 5:48 AM
    #4
    colinb17

    colinb17 If at first you don't succeed, don't try skydiving

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    i have a 5000 watt inverter that'll actually run a small welder, it's great. made by cobra. right now i'm just using the jumper cable sized gator clips and wires it came with to clamp to the battery, but over the summer, i'm going to perminately mount it behind the back seats and hard wire it in.

    this is the newest version of it.
    http://www.spheralsolar.com/products/Cobra-DC-to-AC-Power-Inverter-with-USB-Port-2500W%7B47%7D5000W.html

    last camping trip i had 2 flood lights, a 400watt stereo 3 cell phones and a cordless drill battery all going at once and the meter that shows percentage power being output was barely at 10. they're a little pricey, but well worth it.
     
  5. May 9, 2011 at 4:37 PM
    #5
    MJonaGS32

    MJonaGS32 MJ on a GS

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  6. May 9, 2011 at 5:09 PM
    #6
    anethema

    anethema Well-Known Member

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    Wow 5000 watt! You will probably be pulling 500 amps (416 amps plus inefficiency) solid with that. Must be huge. What size cables you going to run to it, 00 ?'

     
  7. May 9, 2011 at 5:15 PM
    #7
    maineah

    maineah Well-Known Member

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    Better use some pretty big cables and a big battery 5000 watts= 416 amps @12 volts.
     
  8. May 9, 2011 at 5:16 PM
    #8
    fvtalon

    fvtalon Well-Known Member

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    It's easy enough to do, just keep in mind the DC amperage and size the wire appropriately. Take watts (W) and divide by 12V for DC amps. So 400W / 12V = 33.3A

    An 800W will draw 61 amps and a 1200W will draw 100 amps, actually probably even more than that because of inefficiencies. If you want to be running job site air compressors and miter or circular saws you're going to be putting a huge draw on the battery and alternator.

    I remember seeing/reading about an alternator unit that output 110/240V AC. It bolted on like an auxiliary alternator and would be much better for running bigger AC loads because you're not doing a DC to AC conversion.
     
  9. May 9, 2011 at 5:33 PM
    #9
    colinb17

    colinb17 If at first you don't succeed, don't try skydiving

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    not sure on the guage of the cables, but they are about twice as thick as the battery cables on the truck.

    i've never reached anywhere near full capacity of the inverter before either. that would take a toll on an essentially stock battery setup.
     
  10. May 18, 2011 at 2:22 PM
    #10
    is_it_the_shoes

    is_it_the_shoes Well-Known Member

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    Did you add the additional inverter or did you replace the stock one all together ??


    If you replaced it and are no longer using the factory 400W inverter, I would be interested in purchasing if you were looking to sell :D
     
  11. May 18, 2011 at 9:54 PM
    #11
    MJonaGS32

    MJonaGS32 MJ on a GS

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    Drifter wedge camper, Dual battery, OBA, ARB locker, 4.56 gears
    i added one, so I have both
     
  12. May 19, 2011 at 12:32 PM
    #12
    is_it_the_shoes

    is_it_the_shoes Well-Known Member

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    Gotcha.


    My pickle is when I had the JL Stealth box installed in my Access Cab, I had to remove the stock inverter because there wasnt enought room for both....now the problem is I cant remember what I did with it :annoyed: If I cant find it, and just want to use a store bought inverter and mod that, will I be able to make it work with the Stock Bed Plug and Stock Button on the Tacoma? I am guessing it would be easy to splice the wires to make it work with the bed plug, but I am not sure if I will be able to get it to work with the stock switch, which would be nice.

    I tried looking a diagram of the wiring from TN, but the link failed. Anyone have any input on if its possible ?
     

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