Inverter Installation
Using the Existing Alternator and Battery, what are the system limits for a practical inverter installation using the existing under-the-hood alternator and battery? A majority of utility vehicles have a 100 to 130 Ampere alternator together with one or two group-27 batteries. Although the alternator cannot keep up with a continuous full-load current demand of more than 50 Amperes, it can provide enough for short term power use. In many cases the use of electrical power to do work is intermittent (using tools off and on for short periods of time). In these cases the alternator is able to “keep up” with power use and recharge the battery. There have been many successful installations of a 2300 Watt inverter in such trucks.
Other successful, smaller installations consist of an 1100 Watt inverter system in a smaller utility van or truck:
- Alternator rated at least 85 Amperes.
- A deep-cycle battery, Group 27 or larger in size.
- Wire from the inverter to the battery is 2 gauge at up to 15 feet (one way distance)
Where larger inverters than these are used, or where more continuous power is required, it is recommended that a battery pack be installed as close as possible to the inverter and that the alternator system be upgraded.