I am looking to install a 1000w or 1500w inverter in my 2005 F-150 Screw. Has anyone here done this b4? Would love to do this project on my own. Would I use an isolator or a switch? Alternator to charge? Would I attach inverter off a second battery (marine). Any help would greatly be appreciated. I basically need for running lappy, camping, charging tool battery.

What would the best way to go about it?

 

I would just install on factory battery. Should work fine there, if you plan on running large loads or anything like that you will have to run the truck while doing this. It would not hurt to get a deep cycle Optima battery though, esp. for extended use times.

 

Imo the first order is to make sure you don't run down your truck battery while out on site.
That means a second high capacity battery setup and isolator.
As to an inverter capacity, what output load do you need?
Usually the the inverter will need to be almost double the input power for the output power.
1500 watts needs a unit of almost 3000 watts because the conversion efficiency is not that good.
1500 watts is about 120 volts x 12 amps = 1440 watts. So you would be drawing about 12 amps out of the unit.
If the conversion efficiency is say 60%, that means you would draw close to 2400 watts out of the battery. That is 12 volts times 200 amps = 2400 watts.
The battery won't last very long under those drains and would need 2 or 3 in parrellel to get longer drain times.
I would believe that a good quiet 3000 watt gas generator would be the most pruident way to go like everybody does at the race tracks.
Don't hold me to absolute power figures but it will be close to the way I gave examples for.
Better rethink this a bit or go really heavey duty on batteries and alternator like the emergency vehichles have to do. If so, consult one of these specialty shops that modify for these uses, to get a feel for the hardware and wiring needs.
About $350 will buy a gas gen set and have all the problems solved.
Good luck.

 

Those are large inverters for the small amount of watts needed by any of the items you listed. With the laptop you will also need a pure sine wave inverter.

 

Although it isn't used a full capacity I have a 2000W Power Inverter supply ran on a Separate Sched. 65 Battery and Isolator system. I really recommend the second battery for power supplies that could run over 1000W. My second battery is mounted under the truck along the frame rails. The second system not only includes a 130 Amp Isolation Diode, but a fuse to prevent catastrophic failure from accidental shorting of the primary cables to the battery.

 

Thanks for all your input. I am at a toss up between the Vector 2000 MAXX VEC054D or the Xantrex XPOWER 1750 PLUS. Which is the better inverter?