Power for camping?

Real bbq’s and wood stove fires for me, but OK, I do also have a portable propane powered on demand camping hot water heater and a diesel powered 12v forced air heater for the RTT… seriously!

 

A crockpot works perfectly.

 

Luxuries lol.
I have a coleman tent on the floor and bear spray next to me .

I don’t enjoy camping, rather go wheeling and go back and sleep on a mattress after a shower.

I do have to say though, some camping setups i have seen tempt me. Still have not seen one with AC though .

 

blender works, 300w
waffle iron works

$13 DASH Mini Waffle Maker - 4” Waffle Mold, Nonstick Waffle Iron with Quick Heat-Up, Nonstick Surface - Perfect Mini Waffle Maker for Kids and Families, Just Add Batter (Red)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010TCP3SC
ice cream maker works, 300w
we were having margaritas and chocolate ice cream waffle sandwiches
the waffle maker took forever being so small but they all worked without having to run the engine, which was odd but it indicates the inverter can peak over 100w without cutting out.
switchmode power supplies will run off a modified sine wave no problem, if you bought the electronics in the last decade or so, it probably has one.
not sure if surges are a problem on our tacos, the only regular disturbance in power to the alternator is the a/c compressor kicking on and off.

 

Yes you have. It's called a travel trailer

 

If you want to be able to charge while driving, then I would suggest finding a Pure wave inverter and installing it. It could be possible to install it in the factory location ( under the centre console ) and remote wire the outlet into the factory location. It just take the time to do it and the know how to do it safely.

 

It does unless you shut it off in neutral and then it just keeps going.

 

17 foot camper, twin batteries, gas powered fridge, heater, custom made 100 watt solar that folds up and lives on the bed. Shower, toilet that's my ideal of ruffing it. Tacoma pulls it just fine.

 

what do you mean by installing in the factory location? I thought the factory inverter is between the bed and the fender… I’d but one in too but not sure there is room in the center console for one and the one I did purchase is not waterproof- so it is set up as a portable one with battery clips for now.

 

Oh and for the real campers:

Rome's 1028 Chuckwagon Waffle Iron, Cast Iron, One Size, Gray

$48 ROME Chuckwagon Cast Iron Waffle Iron For BBQ Grill and Campfire Use, 1028

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001ASH9PA

GSI Outdoors Percolator Coffee Pot | Enamelware for Brewing Coffee over Stove & Fire - Campsite, Cabin, RV, Kitchen, Hunting & Backpacking

$30 GSI Outdoors Percolator Coffee Pot | Enamelware for Brewing Coffee over Stove & Fire - Campsite, Cabin, RV, Kitchen, Hunting & Backpacking

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000690JTC

Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Deep Camp Dutch Oven - 12 Inch / 8 Quart

$90 Lodge 8 Quart Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Camp Dutch Oven with Lid - Dual Handles - Use in the Oven, on the Stove, on the Grill or over the Campfire - Black

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008GKDW

Life Is Better Around The Campfire Camping Accessories Gear T-Shirt

$17 Life Is Better Around The Campfire Camping Accessories Gear T-Shirt

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LCMSR3F

 

The factory inverter is located under the centre console then wires are run to the outlet in the truck bed.



This way the inverter is safe from water. Unless you treat your truck like a submarine!

 

Oooh, I like that! And I never knew! Thanks for explaining that to me! So I’ll have to see what the dimensions are of that inverter - I would seriously consider swapping it out for a higher amperage rated pure sine wave one. Those look like pretty small gauge input leads for it… maybe just use them with a relay. I will have to see what gauge the AC lines coming out of it are first though to get an inverter rated for those. It would be nice to have one larger than 400w though… thanks!

And I don’t have to worry about water crossings because I have a snorkel. LOL…

 

Watch Costco for generator sales. A couple of years ago, I was going to get a Honda generator but saw this on sale at Costco.

https://www.costco.com/firman-1600w...ator.product.100713858.html?bvstate=pg:2/ct:r

 

3.33 amps at 120 volt doesn't need much of a wire and at 120 volts the loss in that distance is minimal. As the current goes up so does your wire size so the inverter input is a factor of 10.

 

200AH lithium battery with a 3000W inverter. It's got a redarc 1240 and BlueSea DC panel (not shown). Can charge the battery with either a 300w foldable solar panels, or through an anderson connection built into the truck. Power for days! Awesome for running fridge, diesel heater, lights, cooking stuff, you name it.

 

The power input to the inverter is 8 gauge wire, its hidden in that photo under the metal plate, there is another connector in the top left corner. modified sine wave is a problem for things with coils; transformers and armatures. it creates a resonance that physically wears the insulation resulting in premature failures. todays wall warts are solid state switching supplies

and a PSA never run 12v and 120v lines in the same conduit, it may be more convenient especially when passing through the firewall or grommet but you want failures to go to ground when they short, 120v introduced to the 12v+ lines, very bad