Does anyone know of a module which shuts down modules being run off the DC outlets if the battery reaches a critical level which may cuase it to not start?

Also, was there not a battery with a flip switch in case you did drain the battery?

And, lastly, does anyone know of a module to convert DC to AC in our trucks?

Thanks in advance!

 

To answer your 3rd question, you need something like this:

Power inverters at Radio Shack

... don't buy one at Radio Shack, though. I found one cheaper at Target.

 

For your first question, that is something built in to your truck that will turn off the dome light if it stays on too long. I don't know if it shuts off anything else, though.

You can get a battery isolator to shut down everything if the voltage gets low. These are usually used when you add a second battery to your vehicle but would probably work with just one battery. You should be able to find something like this at auto parts stores or RV accessory places.

 

The battery saver relay does actually work, but it conrols battery drain by the interior lighting system.

There was a battery on the market a number of years ago that had a manual switch to activate a reserve in the event that you had run your battery down. I haven't seen one in at least 3 or 4 years.

The larger inverters need to be hard wired instead of plugged in to your cigarette lighter.

Sounds like you have major power issues-Have you considered putting a generator in the bed of your truck?

If you have the need for large ammounts of power the suggestion of installing an isolator and an additional battery wouldn't be a bad idea;that way your inverter would only draw from your secondary battery.

 

Thanks all for the ideas. I think I will go with the generator in the bed!

Just kidding, actually, I think I will go with a deep cycle marine battery underneath the truck somewhere.

I will connect it to the stock charging system and the ignition switch. When the keys are in the off position, everything will run off the second battery and the main one wiill be disconnected.

When the switch is in the on position, the main battery will be connected and used to turn on the vehicle, the second battery will then be recharged with the vehicle on.

I think this will be real trick but I'm going to have to get a hold of someone who has worked with something like this before.

 

Hey ROB!

Just my .02

If you want to have a slick install put in the isolator to the deep cycle marine battery as suggested; then run your 12V to the cab tap in an inverter (put it under the seat) for 120V AC, and tap the auxiliary 12V outlet (next to the cigarette lighter) to be run from the secondary source.

If you ran it that way your power sources would be seperate from each other, but you would have all the power you need from the alternate source.

If you installed a switch under the hood you could also energize the ignition system from the alternate battery to give yourself a jump on cold mornings. With all the additional load I would consider a higher output alternator.

Good luck!