Inverter Question

Hey guys,
I have a base 2023 SR Tacoma Access cab and I'd like to add an inverter. I'm wondering if anybody here has done that before and how difficult it was. Does the Tacoma come pre-wired for an inverter or do you have to run all the wiring yourself? And, if there are any kits out there that you'd recommend.

Thank you,
Dave

 

What amperage rating and types of uses for an inverter are you thinking and where would you put it? Tacoma‘s aren’t pre-wired for inverters, and if you want to go over 400w and install it in the back fender you’ll probably have to get a water resistant or marine-grade one and run larger gauge cables anyway. Also have to consider are you gonna use the inverter to run electronics? If so, you’ll have to get a more expensive pure sine wave one, otherwise, if you’re just running electric motors, like blowers, fans and blenders and other motor-driven things like that, you can get a cheaper style one.

the easiest place to put an inverter would be upfront next to the battery and run short cables to your battery, and again, you’ll have to be sure you’re using proper gauge wires for the length of cable you’re using.

We’ll have to basically know more of the parameters you want for your inverter before making the most helpful recommendations.

 

Easiest: Buy an appropriately sized inverter and clamp to the battery terminals when parked. If for extended usage, don't leave the truck off too long or you'll kill the battery.
Medium: Build a waterproof box and put the inverter in that. Run some 10AWG or larger wire from the battery down along the frame and into the truck bed and connect the inverter to that. Bonus points for adding water resistant connectors to the box.
Hardest and most expensive: Buying an OEM Toyota inverter, wire harness since your truck doesn't have one, the switch in the dash and all associated pieces to add this feature that did not come on your SR.

There are no "kits" that I know of that make it dead simple.

So to start, what do you plan on powering? How long and what frequency (a few hours, once a month?)

 

Thanks guys. Those are some great points. I'm thinking of using it for camping and running some electronics. I was watching some videos and they were showing how to connect to an existing inverter and putting a plug inside the cab. That's why I was hoping for it to be pre-wired. It sounds like it would just be easier to get a deep cycle battery or two and put an inverter to that. That way I don't have to worry about running down the battery for the truck and being stranded.
Thanks again.

 

i would encourage you to better define what you want to run off the inverter before just throwing it together. any power conversion has losses, so if you're only looking for phone charging or lighting, maintaining a 12v and/or solar setup can be much more cost effective. there's plenty of 12v fridges as well.

though a secondary battery and charging isolator/controller is a really good way to allow you to fully use that secondary battery to the fullest extent while still making sure your truck will start the next day

 

Dave, check your electric company and see if they have any rebates on power cell batteries, buddy of mine got a Jackery lithium battery with a built-in pure sine wave inverter for something like $60 after a rebate because he lives in fire zone. It might be worth checking out since you’re talking about getting an inverter and some batteries.

I purchased one also but not with a rebate, it’s a 1000wh battery bank that will power my little refrigerator and more for a weekend.

 

I’ll echo everyone’s comments. I found the inverter fairly useless, just doesn’t put out enough power to be truly useful. For light use, a small inverter plugged into cigarette lighter is about as useful as the built in one.

 

Hmmm. I didn't think about that. I have a little 200 watt inverter that's barely good for anything. A 1000w inverter with a pure sine wave would be best and running two deep cycle batteries in parallel would give it a long life. I looked into the the power cell batteries. Those things are expensive.
Thanks guys.
Dave