True ANYTIME 400 Watt Inverter

By TRUE, I mean when the truck is totally off; as in the engine is not running or the ignition is not on or in Accessory mode, etc..

I've performed the not-so-anytime 400Watt mod in the past.

My purpose is to be able to charge my chainsaw batteries while clearing trail either in the Spring when I find plenty of felled trees or early winter wheeling, when I also find trees down.

I may spend up to an hour outside the truck clearing trail with the engine not running and thus the batteries not charging. This time not charging I do not wish to endure. It could mean the difference between clearing the trail and getting to my destination or not.

Things I'm not worried about:
1)Depleting the vehicle battery and thus not being able to start the vehicle - I have multiple batteries. One battery is always disconnected and in reserve with the truck off.
2)Not turning the inverter off after 4-wheeling for the day. I have other accessory items not controlled by the truck ignition that I control with a master switch.

I have included the schematic to the inverter if anyone is interested in exploring this option with me. What I do not have is a "Theory of Operation" detailing the operation of all the inverter controls.

What I do know:
1)I will have to supply fulltime power to the Inverter Relay on pin 2. A Pink wire.
2)Same full-time power to pins 5&6 of the M2 Main Switch. Pink and Violet wires.
3)My vehicle is an Autio Trans so nothing to do with the Light Blue wire on V8 pin8 on the inverter.

What I do not know:
Where Junction 5 Connector is located within the truck.
What the inverter connection to the Engine ECU does? V8 pin 9, a black wire; past exploration tells me this is a data control circuit. There is no power available from this connection.

SOLUTION: 8 November 2024
Found the Junction 5 Connector behind the speedometer cluster on the driver's side and tied the two leads high to a switched 12VDC source.
Also tied the pink wire of the Inverter Relay high.
I now have TRUE "Anytime" Factory inverter.
Picture in Post #27.

 

Seems like a lot of work that a gas chainsaw would avoid, I’m guessing it’s a dual battery saw?

Curious if (autoKerrect) the 400w inverter is enough for the charger.

 

How about using a Jackery or similar to charge your saw batteries while the truck is off, and use the truck to top off the Jackery while the vehicle is running?

 

The choice was buying another gas chainsaw or try a new technology - I'm daring and picked a new technology. I currently have two batteries for the saw. One battery in use, while the other charges. This last weekend I went through 1.75 battery charges while clearing trail without an inverter in another vehicle. The inverter will also charge all my other battery tools too. The chainsaw was just to use as an example of my uses.

Yes, the inverter is good to go on charging the saw batteries. Plugged it in while driving away from the store. Wondered the same thing and was prepared to upgrade if needed.

I have three batteries in the truck, two are always for the vehicle only and another that is a spare but charged by the vehicle, disconnected when the truck is off and can be used for Starting the vehicle. No need for a separate device, such as a Jackery.

 

Spoiler: A bunch of links to inverters

A

$465 REDARC 25A in-Vehicle DC to DC Charger with MPPT — Dual Input for Solar & Alternator Charging, Green Power Priority - 12 or 24V Battery Charger Suitable with AGM, Gel, Lithium LiFePO4 Batteries

DC-to-DC charger,

$208 Redodo 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery, Rechargeable Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery, Built-in 100A BMS, 4000-15000 Deep Cycles & 10-Year Lifetime, Perfect for RV, Camping, Solar Home etc.

spare battery,

$279 GIANDEL 2200W Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter 12V DC to 110V 120V AC with 20A Solar Charge Control Lithium Battery Compatible and Remote Control&LED Display for RVs Truck Off Grid Solar System

Pure Sine Inverter (<as recommended by Will Prowse) with a remote on/off switch. Or, hardwire the inverter directly to your main batteries with a remote on/off switch, so you don't utilize the spare battery. You might be able to trigger the remote on/off switch with a relay, so it turns on automatically.

$80 Fit4Less Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter 1000W DC12V to AC 110V with Dual sockets and USB, LCD Remote kit. (1000W)

Here's an inexpensive inverter. There are hundreds of them out there. I have a Belttt and the

$225 GoWISE Power 1500W Continuous 3000W Surge Peak Power Pure Sine Wave Inverter w/Digital LCD Display, Black/Green, 1500w Cont/ 3000w Surge Digital (PS1008)

GoWise. Victron and Redarc are probably the best.

Maybe I'm missing something? Is there a link to the specific inverter you're referring to?

Spoiler: Low Voltage Disconnect Link

Also, have you considered an

$56 Blue Sea Systems 7635 m-LVD Low Voltage Disconnect

LVD for your Accessory Circuit Master Switch? Mine works great.

 

My battery setup is just fine. The inverter I’m using is the stock inverter and it is adequate to the job too. What I’m going to do is to enable the stock inverter to be able to be turned on at all times, even without the truck being on. Theoretically a simple change. Just some controlling of the power and possibly an input or two.

 

Got it. Hardware the stock inverter and switch so that it stays on constantly. @caribe makaira might be able to help.

Edit: If you do consider hardwiring a separate inverter w/ switch (under the passenger seat for example), then you might install a remote plug in the bed like

$43 10 Foot 15A Weatherproof Outdoor Power Outlet by Journeyman-Pro 15 Amp 110/120 Volt 5-15R Receptacle Kit with Integrated (10' FT) 120" Extension Cord + Waterproof Rubber Cover (Black)

this one for convenience.

 

Which electric chainsaw are you using?

I trail ride on a two stroke and a buddy was suggesting a battery one...I have all makita 18LXT and they make a dual battery one but my 3.5gal tank of premix makes more sense than several batteries in my backpack on hard trails.

 

For the LVD, see my posts in the Aux Fuse thread here

 

Stihl ms261c and forget the inverter imo. It's lightweight and cuts through anything like butter.

 

Quick peek, it looks nice, but I need the tray space for the voswitch and the same fuse panel.
I'm looking to mount the mrcb on the battery to minimize the un-fused cable length and not sure on the lvd.

 

If you have a spare battery, why not charge off of that?

One thing to note, if you only need 1hr to charge, the Taco uses under 0.2gal/hr of fuel at idle. Not the greatest thing, but that is a very small amount.

 

I got a Milfuckee since my other tools are similar. Brought it along a couple times but didn't need it. I have used it around the house and think that it is pretty damn cool. But, it is pretty freaking big to pack along on a bike? I'd suggest a nice folding hand saw.

 

Usually ride with a fiskars folder, nice and sharp….replaceable blade that you can’t find anywhere!!

Chainsaw is the only way to clear fallen trees.
I have an echo cs3510 16” bar, it’s 8 lbs.

I can’t see a single battery saw lasting long, the dual battery saws for sure. ….also my sawzall is pretty heavy without the battery.

 

Saw is a Hasqvarna 350i.
Some of my reasons for going with the electric was my old Echo was not running well, and I wanted to have something that starts when it has power. So far I really like it with the caveat of no clutch, which leaves basically on or off in the speed of the chain.

I know of several people who ride and clear lots of single-track trails. They have mounts that have the chain bar extending down the front fork. Neat and all custom built. For that use I would keep with gas. I can't remember how they were carrying their extra gas and oil for the chainsaws. I was just mesmerized by the mounts.

It hasn't escaped my surprise that under no load the Tacoma is more economical running than many generators. I've considered using jumper cables from the truck to my solar system if I run out of battery power for the house backup.

As for leaving the truck running while out of the vehicle clearing trail, I just like silence in the woods when I can - Yes, the chain saw makes a lot of noise - all the more reason for wanting silence. I have disabled the 30 minute runtime limitation of the newer 3rd generation engines. Just leave the vehicle in Neutral, not Park.

The saw batteries and the charger that come with the saw take a lot more than an hour to charge, more like 4-6 hours, don't know for sure as it is still new to me, and I just plug the battery in and leave. All the more reason for not wasting any time charging that could be used. There are optional chargers that say they charge in an hour though. If this does not work out, I may get one - have not even checked prices yet.

 

I think I have seen one of these. Thanks for jogging my memory. Probably the best location for a rider. I agree that it is wild.

It sounds like you have it thought out.


On the

$116 Milwaukee M18 Cordless Lithium-Ion 6-1/2" Circular Saw - 2630-20 - ( MILWAUKEE ) - BARE TOOL

Milwaukee M18 12.0, it is about 1.5hr on the rapid charger that came with the mower. That said with the mower, a high load use, then a charge, and then a use soon after gave me bad performance. It was the first time I ever tried to do this for battery tools or radio control stuff and was enough to make me worry about doing it again. Cooling before and after charging will be my game going forward.


Just as far as ecosystem, taking along the saw, charger attachment, and a few batteries has proven nice and convenient so far.

I was on a trail a few years ago where it would have been great to have a saw to clean it up.

 

EGO makes a 700w charger that charges 5.0 ah in 30 minutes. They also make a 20" chainsaw that can easily last 30 min with medium-duty work. I have the 18" EGO, and a 12" Dewalt for small stuff.

EGO Power+ CH7000 700W Turbo Charger, Black

.

$329 EGO POWER+ Chain Saw, 20” Battery Powered Chainsaw, Electric Cordless, Battery and Charger Not Included – CS2000

.

Dewalt DCCS620B 20V MAX XR Brushless Lithium-Ion 12 in. Compact Chainsaw (Tool Only)

.

 

Like this:

https://caliraisedled.com/products/toyota-interior-outlet-upgrade-kit-by-guild-outfitters

 

Those mounts are nice, but it really sucks ass on the forks.

I have a shit backpack and stuff it in there, it still sucks but centered on the bike mis better imo.
My 3gal tank can take me over 100mi and run the saw as much as I need.