So, I would like to get a power inverter for my truck. I have the stock 750 amp battery with the stock 138 amp alternator. What is the biggest inverter that I can get and not kill the battery?

 

Are you going to be pulling 100+ amps constantly? I know the 400 watt one that I have is fused at 50 amps. I guess if you had to, you could go up to about 1000 watts. What are you looking at running that pulls soo much current?

 

The invertor can be plugged up and not pull any power UNTIL you plug something into it. So its not how big the invertor can be but what all you will be plugging into it? Once you figure that out then you can figure out how big of an invertor you need.

Go find everything you want to use in the truck and look on the electrical lables on them and add all the watts together.

 

Anything beyond about 200w you'll have to hardwire.

If you are going to run off just the battery, you'll want to stay under 700w unless for short periods. If you add a second battery and an isolator, you can run it dead and still be able to start (still a bad idea for the battery).

If you give yourself 38 amps for general running of the truck and a little bit of cushion, that leaves 100 amps available on the alternator. 100A x 12V = 1200W. At 85% conversion efficiency, that gives you 1000w continuous usable draw.

Keep in mind that for 100A continuous, you are going to need 4 (maybe 2) gauge wire.

 

At 100A continuous he could power half of a small house. ;-)

I think he needs to tell us what all he is going to try to power.

 

Chalk another one up for RAM power!!! haha

 

Well years ago, houses came with 100A main disconnects. As things grew as well as our need for power, all new houses come with 250A mains now.

 

My house is still 100A power.

 

You dont have old aluminum or tin wiring either do you??

 

Mine 1908 home is still 100a service as well haha. Throughout my extensive renovations I've found dozens of feet of the old **** and tube wiring (fortunately its not connected or engergized whatsoever). Its amazing the way even home electrical has transformed over the past decades.

Next time the power goes out, who needs a generator when you got a ram! haha