What did you use your cargo bed inverter for today? (Now with Poll)

Why use DC power figures on a forum about an AC outlet. Those are the numbers that matter if we're talking about using an AC plug. So for our purposes here, 400w is equal to 3.3 amps.

 

1) charging laptop and drill batteries on job site
2) small practice amp to test out Craigslist guitar purchases
3) this old garbage Magnavox AM/FM/CD player that i use camping
4) ladyfriend's Hitachi Magic Wand when i either a) pass out drunk in front of the campfire or b) get "lost" fishing.

 

Because I was talking about battery capacity and the problems of cycling automotive batteries. How many times do I need to state that I'm talking about the capabilities of an automotive battery to supply power? Why would I talk about battery capacity in Ah and then switch to AC?

 

Compiling this in a simple list really makes #4 catch you off guard. Well played, well played

 

For everyone that wishes they had an outlet in the cab.

$24 BESTEK 300W Power Inverter DC 12V to 110V AC Car Inverter with 4.2A Dual USB Car Adapter

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004MDXS0U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I used this on a road trip when I had to do some work on my lap top while a friend drove.

 

I made some shovel mounts for the bed rails that screw in with eye bolts which will give me more tie off points in the process.

 

Used mine for a orbital sander, 4 1/2 grinder, charge my drone batteries when out and about, and other stuff.. Love it!!

 

A.C. outlet?

You mean designated river float booze cruise air pump cubby?


In all seriousness, just used for blowing up floats, and to power some Aux lighting for night time hockey.

 

Holy shit, this is just dawning on me now, I need to be doing this as well.

 

What do you use for a charger? New to the game and looking for suggestions. Any battery brand suggestions as well?

 

I have a DJI phantom 3 advance. It come with specific charger rated output of 100w. Batteries are also specific to the drone

 

Power in equals power out. If the inverter is putting out 3.3 amps at 120V, it is drawing 33 amps at 12V from the battery and alternator, plus a little extra to account for the inherent power consumption of the inverter itself. The amp draw on the DC side helps you determine the demand on the battery if the truck is not running.

 

^ Valid point, it's a 33 amp draw on the battery plus a little due to inverter efficiency. I was just speaking to the fact that it's 3.3 amps at 120v.

 

Charged up a jumper battery pack.

 

My trailer fridge is only a 2-way fridge- it only runs on AC and propane. Has anyone used their Taco inverter it to keep their 2-way trailer refrigerator running on AC until they switch to propane when they get to camp? It should be easy enough to run a AC cord between the truck bed and trailer in such a way that it would be safe to use while driving. Doing this would save a lot of propane!

 

Haven't read up to this point, but if you convert to watt hours, you can talk about the battery's capacity and directly talk about how much energy is available in watts to the AC outlet.


Anyway, my lowly SR5 doesn't have the inverter. I think it would be neat to have, but I likely wouldn't use it all that much. I'd probably rather have one in my cab, as I can see it being handy for things like charging a radio or other bits. Having a couple more 12v outlets would be nice. One accessible to the back seats would be nice, too.

 

I started using a French press when I camped in Colorado and I haven't used my regular coffee pot since.

 

Aeropress > *

Use the inverted method with a metal mesh filter. It's like french press coffee, but a lot easier to clean up after.

 

My 2nd taco and 1st time to use receptacle! Had to reset 2 times but using old chain..old California red oak...all in all, happy!!

 

Have used it to run my coffee grinder. Pourover coffee is better with fresh ground beans and those hand grinders are so slow.

Been meaning to test my wife's portable sewing machines so she can bring one on longer trips.