I have been given a 2000 watt Harbor Freight power inverter. Have any of you installed and used a comparable size inverter on the RTV? If so, did you add extra battery(ies)? What types of tools or appliances did you power? Is there any danger of discharging the vehicle battery to where the motor can't start? Where did you place the inverter on the RTV? What gauge cable for installation? Thanks.
Power Inverter usage
- Thread starter Captain
- Start date
2000 watts is a bunch of juice.
Harbor Freight doesn't have any specs on their web site.
I use some Tripp Lite power products and here's what they say about their 1800 watt inverter:
Here's what they say about cable size:
It would be ok if used for light loads but if you use it anywhere close to full capacity even with the engine running I don't think the RTV electrical system could keep up with it.
Jim
Harbor Freight doesn't have any specs on their web site.
I use some Tripp Lite power products and here's what they say about their 1800 watt inverter:
Here's what they say about cable size:
It would be ok if used for light loads but if you use it anywhere close to full capacity even with the engine running I don't think the RTV electrical system could keep up with it.
Jim
What is your alternator's rating? Likely 25 ~ 35 amps so it can't power that thing at full output. And I wonder how long the alternator can run at full output before it smokes. In normal use recharging the starting battery it wouldn't run at full output very long.
I think pulling 200 amps is even heaver than the starter's load on the battery, so way over your system's capability.
But running the inverter at much smaller load such as to power a drill for a moment shouldn't hurt anything.
Added: here's the math to estimate its load on your system:
Watts = Volts x Amps.
2000 Watts = 120V x 16.6 Amps (which is more than most power tools)
2000 Watts = 12V x 166.6 Amps (which is more than an ATV starter draws, and thats only for an instant)
Add 20% current lost as heat. So expected load on the ATV will be well over 200 Amps. This is *way* over the alternator's capability. Expect a dead battery quickly even if nothing smokes!
Conclusion: OK for light loads for brief periods. Only.
I think pulling 200 amps is even heaver than the starter's load on the battery, so way over your system's capability.
But running the inverter at much smaller load such as to power a drill for a moment shouldn't hurt anything.
Added: here's the math to estimate its load on your system:
Watts = Volts x Amps.
2000 Watts = 120V x 16.6 Amps (which is more than most power tools)
2000 Watts = 12V x 166.6 Amps (which is more than an ATV starter draws, and thats only for an instant)
Add 20% current lost as heat. So expected load on the ATV will be well over 200 Amps. This is *way* over the alternator's capability. Expect a dead battery quickly even if nothing smokes!
Conclusion: OK for light loads for brief periods. Only.
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Captain,
I have a couple inverters of that size. What I do is get a good deep-cycle marine battery and put it in one of those black plastic battery boxes. Connect the inverter and put it on top of the battery box. Using the luggage strap that comes with the battery, strap the lid and inverter sitting on top of it all together. You now have a full system that's completely isolated from your RTV. You can use it anywhere. Mine spends its winter season sitting near the wood stove so I have a means to power the stoves fan in the event of a power failure (so it doesn't overheat while I'm getting a genset ready). For the remainder of the year, it sits on a shelf in our "emergency/safe room" with a couple shop lights connected so again, I have instant light should the power go out. When I need it for outside use, I just grab the setup off the shelf and put it in the bed of the RTV.
Also, the inverter should have come with cables. Does it have them (or can the person that gave it to you find them and get them to you)?
I have a couple inverters of that size. What I do is get a good deep-cycle marine battery and put it in one of those black plastic battery boxes. Connect the inverter and put it on top of the battery box. Using the luggage strap that comes with the battery, strap the lid and inverter sitting on top of it all together. You now have a full system that's completely isolated from your RTV. You can use it anywhere. Mine spends its winter season sitting near the wood stove so I have a means to power the stoves fan in the event of a power failure (so it doesn't overheat while I'm getting a genset ready). For the remainder of the year, it sits on a shelf in our "emergency/safe room" with a couple shop lights connected so again, I have instant light should the power go out. When I need it for outside use, I just grab the setup off the shelf and put it in the bed of the RTV.
Also, the inverter should have come with cables. Does it have them (or can the person that gave it to you find them and get them to you)?
I have a 2500 watt inverter that I've set up for use with my 1140 RTV. Paid $80 including cables off of Craig's List.
All info already posted re power draw is correct... if you hook up some BIG power equipment and run it continuously for a good while it likely would cause problems.
However, for running drills, elect. chain saws, smaller power tools that are used intermittently I've really come to love my set up. I leave the RTV running while operating the tools.
I ran a 2 foot pigtail of really big wire capable of full current draw with a 50 amp connector on it from the battery to outside the battery/air filter cage. Matching 5 foot wire with connector runs to the inverter. I mount inverter on the rear gun rack where it's easy to reach and gets plenty of air circulation.
The inverter has a low battery alarm and is somewhat self protecting.
If I develop a need to run heavy current draw for extended time, I'll disconnect from RTV battery and connect to large deep cycle battery I have for my 20' dump trailer along with a battery isolator.
I didn't permanently install the inverter but rather carry it with cable in a rain proof truck box in the bed of the RTV.
I believe that everybody should seriously consider adding an inverter to their RTV.... having 110V AC power in the pasture, on demand, is awesome and allows use of all power tools one typically uses.
All info already posted re power draw is correct... if you hook up some BIG power equipment and run it continuously for a good while it likely would cause problems.
However, for running drills, elect. chain saws, smaller power tools that are used intermittently I've really come to love my set up. I leave the RTV running while operating the tools.
I ran a 2 foot pigtail of really big wire capable of full current draw with a 50 amp connector on it from the battery to outside the battery/air filter cage. Matching 5 foot wire with connector runs to the inverter. I mount inverter on the rear gun rack where it's easy to reach and gets plenty of air circulation.
The inverter has a low battery alarm and is somewhat self protecting.
If I develop a need to run heavy current draw for extended time, I'll disconnect from RTV battery and connect to large deep cycle battery I have for my 20' dump trailer along with a battery isolator.
I didn't permanently install the inverter but rather carry it with cable in a rain proof truck box in the bed of the RTV.
I believe that everybody should seriously consider adding an inverter to their RTV.... having 110V AC power in the pasture, on demand, is awesome and allows use of all power tools one typically uses.
Kanook
Active member
I've pretty much converted over to cordless everthing...drill, cirular saw, reciprocating saw and even a 24v chain saw for light limbing. (a couple of husqvarna gas saws for the bush). A small inverter stored under the seat for the dewalt, milwalkee and makita battery chargers does it for me.