I need to run a .6 HP air compressor for 20 min using the power from my 2002 caravan. Is it safe to plug an inverter into the electrical plug with the car running and start up the compressor? Or am I going to fry the electrical/alternator. The compressor is a 10 amp 120volt.

 

since it's a motor you'll draw far more then that on initial startup .... I'd guess startup to be 6000/10000 watts so you'll need a much bigger invertor to start it then the 1200 watter ... I'm not familar with alternator size on your vehicle to guess on if it will supply that much power for the short start up time or not ...