power outlet (bed)

Going to the Niners vs Seahawks game on thanksgiving and planning on tailgating of coarse but I've never used my power outlet in the bed since I bought my Taco. Wondering what I can power off that...

 

I run a small pancake compressor but I also keep the truck running. Go Hawks

 

NOT MUCH! it is a modified sine weak inverter! DO NOT hook a tv, computer or power tool to it, it will strain the hell out of them and run them hot until they blow!

get a TRUE SINE wave inverter and you can run anything off of it. a TRUE SINE inverter produces A/C current just like your house does, for example honda generators use true sine inverters to make power and we all know how good they are. modified sine inverters produce a dirty, well modified A/C current. its good for lights and stuff, but anything with an A/C motor in it or sensitive electronics will burn up!

i burned up many high end tools on modified sine inverters!

true sine = pure sine, different manufacturers use different terms, xantrex is a good brand

 

info

 

Thanks brother! Definitely going to look into that!

 

Charges my E-cigarette battery no prob

Go Chargers !

 

Drop light or a box fan is all I have used it for.

 

has anyone replaced the factory unit with a larger or true sine inverter

 

I've run a bunch of different things without issues. TV's computers, power adapters, cell phone chargers, fans, lights, modems and a few other things during a few power outages. Many of those things at the same time without issue. Pay attention to the amp draw at start-up and plan accordingly. I kept the truck running.

 

I always thought the only reason for the outlet in my bed was for Christmas lights.

 

what about adding some 'in-between' device like a UPS to condition the power in the bed? would that help and expand the capability/make the outlet more useful?

 

Just want to mention that this power outlet saved my ass a few times when going out to work on my house that is being built and expecting to find a power source. It powered my drill no problem while drilling through a ridiculous number of studs and joists!

 

you have been very lucky bro! i have run tools and other a/c motor driven devices off of mine before in a pinch, but not recommended at all! i burned up a couple high end tools, but had no choice at the time. you can run a/c motors on modified sine but it puts a huge strain on them and makes them run hot. then the motor goes. ever notice if you hook an lcd tv up to one it doesnt work quite right or hook a home stereo or old school fat tv to it you can hear a slight humm in the background. try hooking a decent size fluorescent light to it. thats the dirty signal. kinda like the same as YES you can get your truck to run for a little while in an emergency with half the coolant you should have, but it will ruin the motor if you push it.

i spent ALOT of time using and researching inverters, you do get what you pay for. another tip is that the input to the inverter matters a great deal. if you are going to use a high power inverter use 2ga or 0ga power/ground wires and for each foot of wire the resistance is very high, so keep it as short as possible. also MAKE sure any inverter is cooled VERY WELL, even if you have to add extra fans, heat will cause them to 'clip' in a split second. NEVER install one under the hood or under carpet, etc where it is exposed to heat and can not be cooled.