Question regarding the plug on bed.

So... i plan on doing some headlight restoration as a side job to make extra cash locally.

I don't have a generator, so i will be using the plug on the bed.

I know that i have to turn on the truck to use it to its full voltage.

And i am afraid to leave the truck on while doing my thing, and someone sneaks up and steal the truck...

So what is a good way for me to leave the truck on, yet i can have some kind of security....?

Only thing i can think of is, bring the spare set of keys, while the truck is turned on, use the other keys to lock the truck, so at least it is more secure.

But does anyone else have a better suggestion?

 

Your idea sounds fine, the "club" steering wheel lock would work as well.
http://www.theclub.com/

 

thats EXACTLY what i do

leave it running, then manually use extra key to lock the old fashion way, whats wrong with that method?

but if you are using any electric motor tools, buffer, dremel, etc, DO NOT USE THE OEM INVERTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

it is a MODIFIED SINE INVERTER it will burn up tools or any device that uses an electric motor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

best bet is to invest a couple hundred for small or maybe $1000 for a larger PURE SINE inverter put some heavy power cables, i bought some of the heavy duty jumper cables and cut them, then hook to battery directly and place in a spot under the hood, you cant drive like that but you close it if you need to just make sure the inverter has multiple hi flow fans if you use like that, remember the longer the cables are to the inverter the more stress put on the inverter, also the hotter it gets the more stress put on it.

another thing you can do, i did not do this specifically for the inverter, i ran 4ga power wire through fire wall, under carpet, drilled hole in the metal under back seat to power my amps, but have used that power to run inverters mounted under the back seats before then run a/c cord through one of the drain plug holes in the floor, then run the extension cord up between the cab and bed to get power to the bed.

still would leave running with keys in ignition and lock with second set of keys, so not an answer to that, but i can 100% tell you as an electronics expert and from experience, you run electric motor driven tools from a modified-sine inverter YOU WILL KILL THEM! do not even try to run a refrigerator, a/c air conditioner or microwave off of a modified-sine inverter, if you do you find out REAL quick what i mean!


if you are planning to use the OEM inverter for work, man just do not do it! it will wear your tools out! now if you want to use just to run some lights or something that is filtered like a charger for a drill or something you are ok.




xantrex are VERY good


cheers,
disco

 

You have this backwards; modified sine waves work WELL with appliances that have electric motors. Microwaves too.

Famous last words.

 

Carry a gun.

 

Just buy a generator.
The Tacoma's inverter is only 400w.
That's not enough to run power tools with any kind of load on them.

 

I think your best bet would be to buy cordless power tools. The new lithium ion batteries hold up very well as long as you are not working in 30 degree temps. It will cost more to start out but in the long run it will save you from buying a generator and you should be able to charge the batteries from your stock inverter. Good luck with the new business.

 

Thanks for all the feedback guys.
The reason i need electricity is to power a Griots Garage 6" Polisher, the Polishing process takes less than 5 minutes each session. Actually 5 minutes or less.

I have used the plug of the bed for a few times already. Just would like to have more security when i am performing the job, i guess i will carry my extra keys just for the time being....

I tried using a Milwaukee Hammer Drill.... but i guess the "Hammering" part makes the drill really slow... so it can't do what i need it to.

Once fund allows i plan on getting a Ryobi inverter generator


PS: I do have a gun, but i need to get my CHL lol. Also i just send my slide out to get refinish.

 

Cordless isn't going to get the job done for buffing headlights.
Might be enough for one job, but it's not going to go all day.

 

wow that is the most ignorant statement i ever heard!

FYI MOST cheap generators are modified sine as well, honda are pure sine, several others also but if in doubt all hondas are pure sine, the work differently that normal generators, in a simply explanation the motor runs an alternator which powers a pure sine inverter instead of normal generators that in which the motor turns a genset directly.



cheers,
disco

 

Automatic?

You know how it won't shift out of park without your foot on the brake? Find that wire and put a hidden switch inline with it.

To bypass such an item they would need to find the switch or pry the plastic plug out of the console to use the mechanical override. By then you've hopefully run them off.

For even more fun, use a double throw switch and a relay to make the horn honk if they push the brake down while trying to shift out of park.

 

BUMP BUMP

just want to make SURE everyone understands what BrettBretterson said was exactly wrong DO NOT RUIN YOUR EQUIPMENT!



cheers,
disco

 

I blew my inverter running drain snakes off of it. Whats the cheapest replacement out there?

 

get remote start!

 

That is a great idea!

 

You're kidding, right? For being an electronics "expert", you're pretty misinformed.

 

Sine Wave
A sine wave is what you get from your local utility company and (usually) from a generator. This is because it is generated by rotating AC machinery and sine waves are a natural product of rotating AC machinery. The major advantage of a sine wave inverter is that all of the equipment which is sold on the market is designed for a sine wave. This guarantees that the equipment will work to its full specifications. Some appliances, such as motors and microwave ovens will only produce full output with sine wave power. A few appliances, such as bread makers, light dimmers, and some battery chargers require a sine wave to work at all. Sine wave inverters are always more expensive - from 2 to 3 times as much.


Modified Sine Wave
A modified sine wave inverter actually has a waveform more like a square wave, but with an extra step or so. A modified sine wave inverter will work fine with most equipment, although the efficiency or power will be reduced with some. Motors, such as refrigerator motor, pumps, fans etc will use more power from the inverter due to lower efficiency. Most motors will use about 20% more power. This is because a fair percentage of a modified sine wave is higher frequencies - that is, not 60 Hz - so the motors cannot use it. Some fluorescent lights will not operate quite as bright, and some may buzz or make annoying humming noises. Appliances with electronic timers and/or digital clocks will often not operate correctly. Many appliances get their timing from the line power - basically, they take the 60 Hz (cycles per second) and divide it down to 1 per second or whatever is needed. Because the modified sine wave is noisier and rougher than a pure sine wave, clocks and timers may run faster or not work at all. They also have some parts of the wave that are not 60 Hz, which can make clocks run fast. Items such as bread makers and light dimmers may not work at all - in many cases appliances that use electronic temperature controls will not control. The most common is on such things as variable speed drills will only have two speeds - on and off.


Square Wave
Very few but the cheapest inverters are square wave. A square wave inverter will run simple things like tools with universal motors without a problem, but not much else. Square wave inverters are seldom seen any more.

IF you can get a high current draw device like a refrigerator, thats a big IF, to start, as stated above it will draw significantly more power than normal, hence run ALOT hotter and your fridge is dead if you run it like that too long! not only do i know the science i have done it before from using inverters and cheap $600 generators when i had no choice. i burned up a roto-zip and a drill using the in bed inverter again in an emergency and i had to. i await your retort

cheers,
disco