Power inverter question

im going camping next week and bought a cheap 750w power inverter from harbor freight that clips on to the battery with the hood up. Is it best to use it with the engine idling? How long is it ok to idle while using it? Anything I should or shouldn't do with that inverter? I have an off road with towing package so I think it has a slightly larger alternator.

 

How many watts does your load require?

750 watts is the max that inverter will supply. If your loads are less, you won't be using the total.

In short, what 110v appliances are you wanting to use?

 

I use my HF inverter all the time camping. I get to camp and turn it on, usually charge my laptop, a couple of those battery box things, cell phone, and run a couple small LED lights for a couple hours until ready for bed. Turn it off before I go to bed and I have never had a problem.

 

Do you use your HF inverter while the engine is running?

 

nope, while its off. I would never run a fridge or something like that off it with the engine off. But small electronics and a box fan to stay cool before the sun sets have never given me any problems.

 

If he got this one: ...that's continuous. That inverter will draw over 60 amps supplying a load like that.
Edit:
Op, every 120 watts load on the battery is 10 amps of current draw to supply the 120 watts of load plugged in to the inverter There are inherent loses in the conversion to AC that it'll probably draw a little more from the battery.
I wouldn't leave the truck off too long with a load like that on the battery.

 

I'm just wondering why the 110 outlet in the bed wouldnt work for this, maybe not powerful enuff?

 

1st gen problems

 

oh... I have never used mine yet so I just was wondering about all this stuff, thanks!

 

I have heard and read all this a hundred times or more but it never sticks in my pee brain for some reason, I just dont seem to have the aptitude for it or something.

 

If it's like anything else at HF I'd say that 750w rating is the absolute maximum that unit could ever come close to spiking to for a split second before it overloads and possibly catches on fire.

Small electronics/chargers are fine. No power tools, fridges, compressors, etc.

It won't take long to drain a fully charged battery pulling a full load on that inverter.

 

Thanks everyone, I was thinking a small tv and PS4 just to mess around, or maybe a rice cooker or skillet

 

Haha yea, we're going up with about 30 people so I figure that would be another form of entertainment to throw on a movie for kids. Just trying to keep options open for our big group.

 

True that, maybe tv and PS4 was a bad example. I was thinking about cooking stuff like a skillet or rice cooker to get more food going for our large group.

 

I think you're into the propane grill, generator and microwave type of camping. Mmmmmm, ribeye and microwaved baked potato for me.

 

Even though a power inverter may have a low battery shutdown, it doesn't know the cranking power needed to start your car. Plus, a standard car battery is not intended to be discharged/charged in this manner. This will greatly shorten the life of the battery. You need an AGM battery for the car battery, or a dedicated deep cycle battery that is designed for this type of usage. Ideally, add a 2nd battery (AGM or deep cycle) to your truck with a battery isolator to protect your primary battery.

https://www.donrowe.com/power-inverter-faq-a/258.htm

https://www.lifewire.com/will-car-power-inverter-drain-car-battery-534794

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ts-see-them-multiple-batteries-thread.295653/