Inverter AGM questions

[S_Davis]

I have been thinking about installing a inverter in my truck, either a 2000-3000 watt. I would use it to run small power tools, air compressor, an electric blanket when on the ferry system as you can't run your vehicle. I would also like to set it up to power a truck camper when we purchase one in the next couple years. What I would like to do is remove my rear seats in my crew cab and build a storage box that would house two to four AGM batteries and the inverter, I want to install a 12v plug in the bed to connect to the camper batteries to form a larger battery bank as well as a 120v outlet to power a microwave, coffee pot, hair dryer. Will it work, is charging AGM batteries from the truck an issue?

[S_Davis]

pianotuna wrote:
A nice clean install.

Thanks been planning for a while, got one of the battery heaters installed.

Battery Heater

[pianotuna]

A nice clean install.

[S_Davis]

Made some more progress, buss bars, one of the dc/dc chargers.

Buss bars/ charger

[pianotuna]

Thanks for the update.

[S_Davis]

Ok got batteries, I have spent the last two months putting together two 280ah LifeP04 batteries, I just got them mounted in the truck today. I have temporarily hooked up my compressor frig and 300 watt inverter for small loads. I removed all the buss bars/ breakers and switches from the enclosure I had in the bed of the truck and can now put the system together in the cab. And now I can get the four Trojan T-105 out of the bed of the truck and find them a new home.

Twin 280ah LifeP04 cells.

[S_Davis]

Made a little more progress, I received the 1/0 DLO cable and was able to run a 1/0 negative from under the center console, drilled the holes through the truck floor for the wiring for the 120v 50 amp shore power, 30 amp outlet from inverter, charge line from truck alternator and to lift gate plug mounted in the bed of the truck.

I got the enclosure mounted in the back seat area, it bolts to the mounts for the rear seats and seat belts. Still have to finish covering the top of the enclosure, ordering batteries soon now that I have a spot to put them.
Inverter enclosure install

[S_Davis]

My lift gate plugs came in for the charge circuit to the truck bed, now I have to wait to get the 1/0 DLO cable and lugs.

Lift gate plug

[S_Davis]

Well I wanted to get the enclosure installed in the truck but I needed some 1/0 DLO to run from under the middle console under the carpet for the charge circuit from the truck before installing it.

I got the box of wire out it was supposed to be 40’ of 1/0 DLO cable, instead they sent 40’ of 4/0 DLO cable. So I got the battery box vent installed, and then sealed them before painting.


Battery box vent

[pianotuna]

Hi S,

I'm planning on 7 Sio2 batteries--probably next summer due to covid. It should give me a usable capacity of 560 amp-hours. I can use all 700 amp-hours but that does reduce life span.

If would be wonderful if you could post a "parts list" for your (pretty darn special) system.

[S_Davis]

pianotuna wrote:
That's going to be one heck of a system!

Should be able to run everything I want including occasional A/C.

[pianotuna]

That's going to be one heck of a system!

[S_Davis]

I am getting ready to install the inverter system in the back of my CC pickup so thought I would bump this. I have removed the rear seats and am building the enclosure for the two 450ah battery banks the inverter and other associated electrical.

Inverter box

Inverter box in truck

[MrWizard]

Congrats You are getting there
Thanks for taking time to let us know

[S_Davis]

I just wanted to thank all those that had input on my inverter install. It has taken a while because of finances but I was able to get the 1/0 DLO cable installed from the engine bay and under the center seat in the cab to the truck bed, then set one of two battery banks and mount the inverter electrical enclosure. I have one of two Redarc 50 amp dc to dc chargers installed so the system is working. I still need to install the second set of batteries and second dc to dc charger as well as the 300 watt psw inverter in the cab. I hope to get the 2800 watt Outback inverter in the next couple months to finish the system.


https://imgur.com/gallery/EoSXEF7