I am planning to buy a large power inverter (or 2 if they will work). I plan on buying a 3000 watt marine inverter. Now my question is...

1. Before anything, WILL the alternator/battery setup be able to handle the load of 1 3000 watt inverter? How about a 2nd 3000 watt? How about larger wattages?

2. For best power generation, what is the best RPM for maximum alternator efficiency as far as power generation?

3. Since my best power generation will be above idle, how would I manage to keep my engine revved to the best position?

I plan on using my truck as an emergency power source when out on the road. Not to mention I can get 2 3000 watt inverters for 1/4 of the price of a 2000 watt generator.

 

The alternator will NOT be able to handle a fully loaded 3000 watt inverter.

3000 watts = 250 amps at 12v and at 100% efficiency (not possible) and right at 239amps at 14.4 and 85% efficiency (engine running, practical efficiency for inverter). Thats close to double the output of the alternator for just one inverter.

Also you cant connect 2 3000 watt inverters to get 6000 watts. You have to match the phasing of the sine wave. You can connect seperate loads to two inverters running off of the same battery bank.

It would cost more and remove a ton of value to modify your truck into a generator than to buy a real portable power source. The chepo generators at pep boys, walmart, etc do work. You are not talking about a ton of money esp when comparted to an inverter. Also compare apples to apples a generator puts out a true sine wave like household current. Basic inverters put out a less efficient modified square wave. The full sine waver inverters are more expensive than a basic inverter.

I have a 400 watt inverter permanently mounted behind my rear seat. I have a remote switch on the dash and a simple black 3 prong extension cord running to the front of the cab. It is a vector modified sine wave and it does fine to charge my laptop, camera battery or heat a bottle for my kids. It can draw over 30 amps at full load with the engine running.

 

Dang... oh well.

I guess I'll look for a midsize generator.

I want something that is VERY quiet and puts out a lot of power.

I'd prefer diesel.

Anyone know?!

 

northerntool.com has diesel generators. Of course they are more $$$ than a gas unit.

 

I'll be taking my family on a extended trip this winter. We'll need 150 watts continuous power (for 8ish hours) now and then during the trip. If I plug something like:

into the 12V auxiliary power point to run our equipment am I asking for trouble?

Being the cheapskate I am I'd rather buy a $30-$50 inverter than have to spend $500ish on setting up a 2 battery and isolator system. If anybody has a recommendation for an inverter I'm up for suggestions. All I really need is a 150 watt modified sine wave inverter.

Thank you for any assistance.

Edit to add: I have a 2007 F150 with the 5.4, all stock. The owners manual claims the APP can handle 180 watts but I'm not sure if it's meant for long term continuous use or 5 minute spurts before the fuse blows due to heat.

 

The alternator is controlled by the PCM, so it wouldn't matter.

 

I have a 600 watt tripp lite inverter under the front seat and its quiet and works great.I have a 3500 watt Tripp lite and I hooked it up with 1/0 power and ground and the truck did not like it one bit.My alt took a dump and the inverter would only put out about 1500 watts before it would shut off due to low input voltage.You can get engine mounted generators that put out tons of power but the costs are insane.A honda generator with a small gas engine would be a less costly way to go.