I've been looking to put a power inverter in my truck and have discovered there is a a ton of sizes to choose from. Usually going with the philosiphy of "bigger is better", I almost picked up a 3000 watt one the other day, but I remembered some friends from highschool who had high power stereos who constantly went through alternators because of how much power their equipment drew.

So my question is what would be the biggest power invertor I could install and run without running the risk of causing some sort of problem?

My truck is a stock 09 cc with the 5.7 hemi.

My intended use is occasional power tool usage and primarily just as a emergency backup just to run a few items during our (frequent) power outages. Items like a space heater, or possibly a deep freezer.

Is it possible to run this kind of stuff on the factory alternator, or would I need a bigger, or secondary alternator. I've tossed around the idea of just getting a portable generator, but it seems like using the truck would be more handy for me.

Thanks in advance.

 

Since this is your first post, welcome!

When buying an inverter, think about what you want to power with it. If it is small things, get a smaller one. Look at the wattage rating on what you want to power then get an inverter that is slightly bigger.

I noticed your SN. I have the same gun.

 

Dont most all the new Rams come with one anyway? Allthough I've never used it, my 110V outlet it says its good for 10 amps, that ought to big good enough to run some small power tools anyway, I dont know how much a spaceheater or an icebox pulls though. For power outages I just use my gasoline generator which I'd be willing to bet uses less fuel than leaving my pickup idling all day.

 

i doubt your outlet is good for ten amps if its the stock one i think its good for 150 watts

which is 1.36A

 

Stocker - DESCRIPTION

The inverter module is located under the front passenger seat it provides a total of 400 watts of power. The A/C outlet is mounted in the right hand side of the instrument panel center and in the back of the center floor console. The inverter module provides A/C power for user accessories. The inverter converts the 12 Volt DC from the battery system to a 115 Volt AC output

 

You should know that there are an awful lot of things that will not run off an invertor. Most invertors that you can fit in a truck are square wave invertors, and it's a crapshoot what will work when you plug in to them.

 

I use one for a cell charger since I hate paying 20-30$ for the car charger when I have an old inverter. I also use it for a laptop. But that's me, not the OP.

 

What package does that come with? Don't have one in my SLT CrewCab

 

And I've had some laptops that will run off an invertor and some that won't. Also had some power tools that wouldn't. My F150 had a 2000W invertor under the hood that we used when camping, and we always made sure to check stuff before bringing it along.

 

I think it is an option on the SLT's, don't quote me. The consoled trucks have them.