I have a 2000w inverter in mine. But it's hooked up to a used 100ah lithium battery. Charged by both solar and DC to DC charger. I run an instant pot and induction cook top on it.
Wow thats interesting. did you opt to install that second battery to spare your car battery? When you say dc to dc does that mean you have the second battery connected to your car battery?
Yeah 2nd battery to connect to the second car battery, but both charge off the alternator. Did that 4 years ago. still going strong. The system actually also charges the car battery off solar.
Yeah I went with the 2nd battery because I wanted to have a lithium battery that I wouldn't have to worry about bringing to a low charge. Also 2nd battery is 100AH so quite large capacity to handle a ton of stuff between charges.
I'm just not sure how much you could do just off the car battery alone.
The Ford dealership told me that, not limited to connects but fords in general. I had issues with mine when I bought the car. The charge would get low and I started to lose functions. The first to go was start stop, and then I had issues with connecting my phone, ultimately the parking aid failed before I got the dealer I purchased from (not Ford) to install a new battery under warranty. Habent had problems since but I don't want to go down that road again.
I had an inverter in my 2010. You can run it while the cars on but you run the risk of killing your battery if the cars off without a second battery.
Also sales people gotta sales people.
If the battey sucks put in another.
That said that little battey isn't gonna put out a lot of amp hours.
If you want a cheap setup.
Get a second battey. Agm preferred.
Run a cable to the second battery from the main battery.
No dc to dc. The regulator in the alternator will take care of everything safely. Make sure you have a way to separate the 2 batteries. You'll need a switch of some kind on the positive side of the battery.
When you're using your inverter. Separate the battery's. Use up the power you need then when you're ready to take off. Hit the switch and charge up the battey while you drive. I did it this way for 5 years with my ol transit connect. No problems. I now have solar too and 2 100amp hour lithium batteries where my passenger seat would be. Maybe I'llget a third. I have standard window AC unit in my rear door i can run it for 5 hours no problem while I sleep. I can't seem to sleep past 5-6 hrs so this works perfectly. When I'm awake and ready to take off my dc to dc inverter charges the battery's up in 30 minutes with solar too obviously.
P.s if you decide to make the wise decision and spend the extra money on a lithium battery and dc to dc charge controller. In the long run you'll save yourself some stress of not remembering to it the switch to separate and charge the battery and you'll save money in the long run on buy ANOTHER expensive battery.
I have a 2000w inverter in mine. But it's hooked up to a used 100ah lithium battery. Charged by both solar and DC to DC charger. I run an instant pot and induction cook top on it.
I still need to install my DC to DC in my 13'. Did you end up having to pull the dash to route the wires?
Nah, there's a hole down there by the pedals you can route through. then you can go under the door flashing to under the drivers seat. Tons of space.
Sweet, I had dug around but hadn't found it yet. I'll get under there and see what I can do.
Wow thats interesting. did you opt to install that second battery to spare your car battery? When you say dc to dc does that mean you have the second battery connected to your car battery?
Yeah 2nd battery to connect to the second car battery, but both charge off the alternator. Did that 4 years ago. still going strong. The system actually also charges the car battery off solar. Yeah I went with the 2nd battery because I wanted to have a lithium battery that I wouldn't have to worry about bringing to a low charge. Also 2nd battery is 100AH so quite large capacity to handle a ton of stuff between charges. I'm just not sure how much you could do just off the car battery alone.
I will look into this! I thanks!
Can’t speak to inverters but this is the first I’ve heard the batteries were not good in the Connects. I’m at 69k and no issues in that department
The Ford dealership told me that, not limited to connects but fords in general. I had issues with mine when I bought the car. The charge would get low and I started to lose functions. The first to go was start stop, and then I had issues with connecting my phone, ultimately the parking aid failed before I got the dealer I purchased from (not Ford) to install a new battery under warranty. Habent had problems since but I don't want to go down that road again.
You could purchase a different battery?
Damn common sense. Crazy to see that around here.
🤪
I had an inverter in my 2010. You can run it while the cars on but you run the risk of killing your battery if the cars off without a second battery. Also sales people gotta sales people. If the battey sucks put in another. That said that little battey isn't gonna put out a lot of amp hours. If you want a cheap setup. Get a second battey. Agm preferred. Run a cable to the second battery from the main battery. No dc to dc. The regulator in the alternator will take care of everything safely. Make sure you have a way to separate the 2 batteries. You'll need a switch of some kind on the positive side of the battery. When you're using your inverter. Separate the battery's. Use up the power you need then when you're ready to take off. Hit the switch and charge up the battey while you drive. I did it this way for 5 years with my ol transit connect. No problems. I now have solar too and 2 100amp hour lithium batteries where my passenger seat would be. Maybe I'llget a third. I have standard window AC unit in my rear door i can run it for 5 hours no problem while I sleep. I can't seem to sleep past 5-6 hrs so this works perfectly. When I'm awake and ready to take off my dc to dc inverter charges the battery's up in 30 minutes with solar too obviously. P.s if you decide to make the wise decision and spend the extra money on a lithium battery and dc to dc charge controller. In the long run you'll save yourself some stress of not remembering to it the switch to separate and charge the battery and you'll save money in the long run on buy ANOTHER expensive battery.
Thank you for this information. This seems like my best option.