What did you use your cargo bed inverter for today? (Now with Poll)

I have a 2009 matrix (Toyota) that has a 100 or 110 watt 110V(AC) outlet in it I used all the time to charge my cell phone (it didn't have a cigarette lighter outlet) and laptop when traveling. It is on my list to convert the 100w to 400w anytime, but I haven't seen a clean way to move it to the cab. I admit I've only half heartedly searched for what I'm looking for, but it is on my list. IMHO, it would be more useful in the cab.

 

Now this would be a great mod, install it into the passenger seat.

Install the controller into the cubby:

 

You would get $5 for me--unlikely I ever will either...l

 

The skill saw bogged down for sure. Probably wouldn't want to make more the a couple of cuts.

 

I used a lot 60 inch TV once in the bed of the Truck. My brother inlaw was going to take it to the ECO station. I plugged it in to see if the TV worked. It did, so I gave it to my nephew.

 

Ditto. I run an extension cord through the rear and charge camera batteries so I can keep photog gear inside. I drive REAL fast and I tell my wife I have to drive fast so I keep the power to the outlet. I tell her under 3500 RPM, the power supply to the back shuts off to save the battery. She believes me. Cops don't.

 

It's really not a wise idea to draw 400W from the inverter with the engine off as some seem to desire. A battery is energy storage rather than an energy source. A typical automotive battery only has 50-60Ah of capacity and voltage will drop before you actually use that much. At 400W you are using about 33A of power and anyone who wants to install a really big inverter (1-2kW) would need an upgraded alternator to support it. Unless your using a small load it's better to consider your engine a generator and should leave the truck on.

 

I would like to see pics of that! LOL..

 

You can charge your 18v and 40v tool batteries and do anything anywhere. A 40v chainsaw is weak, but it works, and you can use that same 40v battery for tons of other tools. You could build a barn when the power's out or rebuild a truck (not the one charging your batteries) if you wanted to. There's literally nothing more useful than being able to charge tool batteries.

People have added 1200W inverters to their Tundras and if I hadn't gotten a TRD I would have done the same.

 

I did the 400 watt anytime mod and wired in a outlet in the back of the center console. I have used the bed outlet to run a LED work light a couple times. Inside the cab its used all the time to charge the kids iPads or charge a laptop. I even run a heating pad off it once.

 

I added a 1200W inverter under the driver's seat and installed outlets into the back of the center console. This is perfect for the wife's laptop and the kids tablets. Phones charge way quicker than using the 12V lighter socket.

Have not used the inverter yet w/ the truck parked/off but will be testing to see how things behave when the alt isn't running.

 

Hate to say this, but I'm a coffee snob, and have tried just about every method to making coffee, the percolator is one of the least efficient and worst tasting methods. It takes forever and burns the coffee by consistently dropping boiling water into the grounds. My favorite method, which is the easiest when camping, is the pour over or variant such as the chemex which is what I use at home.

 

Ok:

 

Doesn't holding on to the hot end of the iron like that hurt?

 

I was hoping for some kind of roadside rescue situation LOL!

 

There is also the fact that the starting system battery is a (surprise) starting duty, not deep cycle, battery. Typically they use 3 to 5% of their capacity when starting the engine, which is rapidly replenished by the charging system once the engine starts.

However starting duty batteries do not do well in deep cycle applications; i.e. being repeatedly run down (even if only to 70 to 75 % capacity) and recharged--doing this will dramatically shorten their life...

 

I carry a cheap Husky inflator and extension cord behind my rear passenger seat. Takes a while to reinflate tires, but for under $25, totally worth it.

 

I have a portable air compressor that runs off the 12v accessory port. The cable is long enough to reach all 4 tires. I normally do this with the truck running. But I also normally make sure they are inflated before I hit the road. Still no use for the inverter.

 

Cool, bro. As posted previously, this isn't a thread to debate whether the inverter is necessary or not. OP asked what we used it for; I responded. Also, I can use the pump around the house without my truck.