Howdy Fella's

Dont post up much in this part of the world, but figured this might interest a few guys. I did a hardwire install of an inverter in my '08 and Dad liked it so much he "convinced" me to do one in his '02. The inverter was installed under the driver seat. A plug was installed near the cup holders (6spd) and the switch on the knee bolster. Here is a little write up on it.

I had an old inverter that went belly up and it supplied the plug for the install.



Extension cord was used to run from the inverter to the plug. Each wire was butt connected and then individually taped, then all taped together. Cant be too safe you know.



The switch was wired up to the bolster. I opened up the inverter and just lengthen the wires. A dremel was used to cut the hole in the bolster for the power switch.









The hole for the plug in the console





The plug was Gorilla Glued in place. Once it set, I applied more to the back of the plug, making sure it was sealed up tight.

Here is how the plug looks in the console.

 

The other end of the cord was wired with a plug.



The switch wired up through the dash.



Final install pics







The inverter itself was wire with 8 gauge amp wire and a 30 amp glass fuse.

Hope yall like.

 

looks good.
what's the 8ga wire fused with..then 30amp? If so I hope you don't plan on drawing the full 1000w from the inverter..12*30=360w..also I hope you covered protected the +12v to the inverter..

-dkenny

 

The only problem I would have with that is my truck gets so dirty, the plug would probably get a lot of junk in it in that location. Other than that, I like it. May have to put one in my new truck.

 

The 1000W is on 120V. The 30 amp fuse is on the 12V. At least from what I understood...

 

Yeah, 30amp fuse on the 8 gauge. Have 40's if he needs. He did go overkill on the inverter. It powers a computer and printer most of the time. Small hand tools at most. Highly doubt he ever pulls even half the load from it.

Everything was given a liberal application of 3m electrical tape before calling it complete

Thought about that, but his puter is plugged into it most of the time. He's just gonna have to keep it clean when its not.

 

Nice. I have the same inverter.

I would get some brush on electrical tape and paint the positive so theres no bare metal there.

 

Its wrapped up real good with some 3m. Did it after I took the pic.

 

the formula he mentioned above with 30 x 12 will give you the wattage that can be gotten, a 30 amp fuse will only get you about 400 watts max at 14 volts. so keep that in mind before you try to put say a circular saw on that line.... pop... o nuts, where's the extra fuse ! a fuse would have to be rated at over 70 amps to supply enough power to get you that 1000 watts.

 

if you're going to try running close the max from the inverter..you'll need bigger wire and a much bigger fuse. many inverters will output 2x their rating.
2000/12=166 amps..and much bigger wire.

for just running a laptop you should be fine.

-dkenny

 

Thanks guys

Im very well versed in car audio, and know about proper wiring, glad yall shared for if someone is looking in and is unfamiliar. Dad wont be using it to near its potential so it should be fine. If needed I have some 2 gauge and a 60 amp breaker in the shop.... Thatll hold it a lil better if he needs.

 

Nice write up Blake! I have no use for an inverter currently but if I ever do I'll be looking back at this thread.

 

Thats my question, What kind of things do you use your inverter for? I recently installed one for some folks in an Entervan that was to be used to run an oxygen machine.