Anybody installed an inverter?

[Chip S]

Since I purchased my LX565, it's become the handiest piece of equipment on the farm. To make it a bit handier, I'm thinking of installing an 2k watt inverter off the battery so that when I'm out in the fields, I can plug in a drill or skil saw if I need to without worrying about keeping multiple rechargables on hand, 'cause you know as well as I do they are always dead when you need them. Has anybody done something like this? Where did you put it? I was thinking under or around the seat somewhere, with an inline fuse and a separate switch that'll keep it offline until needed.

 

[Earthwerks Unlimited]

I did the same thing for the reason, but installed under the seat of my Ram. I think. It's a 4,000 watt though. You shouldn't need a separate switch as the unit comes with it's own switch, but an at-the-battery is better. I installed mine inside the cab because of dust, which I still get, will be blown through the unit by its cooling fans. I'd make a plastic bag cover for yours or even a shower cap that has elastic in it. I bought mine on sale at Harbor Freight for $169. One time I lost power at my home and it was very handy. What I did was firstly remove the main circuit breaker. Then I made a double ended extension cord with male ends to go from the truck to an outlet in the house. Worked great--powered the whole house! I was the envy of the neighborhood!

 

[Chip S]

I did the same thing for the reason, but installed under the seat of my Ram. I think. It's a 4,000 watt though. You shouldn't need a separate switch as the unit comes with it's own switch, but an at-the-battery is better. I installed mine inside the cab because of dust, which I still get, will be blown through the unit by its cooling fans. I'd make a plastic bag cover for yours or even a shower cap that has elastic in it. I bought mine on sale at Harbor Freight for $169. One time I lost power at my home and it was very handy. What I did was firstly remove the main circuit breaker. Then I made a double ended extension cord with male ends to go from the truck to an outlet in the house. Worked great--powered the whole house! I was the envy of the neighborhood!

$169 ain't bad. The plastic cover is a great idea. 4K watts ran the house, huh? I've got a 3500W gas that I use when the power quits, but it about lays down when the well pump kicks on. Are you on city water, or well? I'd rather run the skid steer than hear that 8hp Briggs for hours on end.

 

[Chip S]

$169 ain't bad. The plastic cover is a great idea. 4K watts ran the house, huh? I've got a 3500W gas that I use when the power quits, but it about lays down when the well pump kicks on. Are you on city water, or well? I'd rather run the skid steer than hear that 8hp Briggs for hours on end.

After doing a little more research, it looks as though the best option, unless it's a marine grade, would probably be to install a couple of heavy battery clamps and bring it out as needed. They can be wired in series to produce 220, but ain't never getting enough to run my place without a bank of deep cycle batteries. Still better than hauling out the genset.

 

[skidsteer.ca]

After doing a little more research, it looks as though the best option, unless it's a marine grade, would probably be to install a couple of heavy battery clamps and bring it out as needed. They can be wired in series to produce 220, but ain't never getting enough to run my place without a bank of deep cycle batteries. Still better than hauling out the genset.

Also mount the inverter as close as practical to the battery, the 120v current will travel easier through the cord, then the 12v. Requiring only 1/10 the amps and a much smaller wire.
Ken