Inverters & Battery Life Questions

[JWA]

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

That inverter looks good, and certainly a good price point (I saw it on Amazon for $187.ish)

I paid just at $251 which I know is more than I could have found on the 'net but in order to foster good customer relations the difference along with local immediate warranty support was key in my purchase decision.

I don't know and didn't ask what a walk-in customer would pay for the same unit but they send so much work my way I believe I'll come out okay.

I hope to have a clear day soon to complete assembling and putting my inverter to use.

[86Scotty]

Excellent

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[JWA]

Okay so back at this again, the actual real-world need for all this is pretty much non-existent but that won't have me abandoning this one bit. My "rig" consists of the inverter mounted on a HDPE "board" fuse, wiring and Anderson PowerPole SB175 connector that feeds the 10' 1/0 cables with jumper clamps.

Earlier on it was suggested an auxiliary battery holder/case might be a good way to go, I'd like to explore that with your help here. First question is where might I find the OEM parts for that OR is there a "better" device available? Given its importance and under-body installed location price again is not the deciding factor.

Labor for that installation would be DIY---I've become a driveway expert on terminating large cables.

As for an ACR that would be relative simple in operation what's the recommended brand and type? I assume Blue Sea would have something but I'm open to something robust and long-lived.

Thanks guys---I really appreciate the patience and sharing what cha know!

[BrianW]

I once pulled parts at a pick and pull from a totaled Comcast service van. Had a simple inverter setup in the cargo area with a single deep cycle battery in a box, the inverter, a power lead coming from the engine, and a ground lead (that I think went to chassis, I forget). I assume it had an isolator in the engine compartment but I didn’t check.

[JWA]

Originally Posted by BrianW

I once pulled parts at a pick and pull from a totaled Comcast service van. Had a simple inverter setup in the cargo area with a single deep cycle battery in a box, the inverter, a power lead coming from the engine, and a ground lead (that I think went to chassis, I forget). I assume it had an isolator in the engine compartment but I didn’t check.

My days wandering salvage yards, looking/crawling under vehicles is long past me--both in ability and desire.

I'm guessing your battery proper was under the van, not in the cargo area?

[BrianW]

Originally Posted by JWA

My days wandering salvage yards, looking/crawling under vehicles is long past me--both in ability and desire.

I'm guessing your battery proper was under the van, not in the cargo area?

My point was to just share how the very basic and easy setup was installed. Not to suggest you go looking for a wrecked Comcast van [emoji3] The battery was in the cargo area under shelving in a battery box. Inverter was on a shelf. I assumed they plugged in their battery packs to recharge.

[daveb]

Originally Posted by JWA

Okay so back at this again, the actual real-world need for all this is pretty much non-existent but that won't have me abandoning this one bit. My "rig" consists of the inverter mounted on a HDPE "board" fuse, wiring and Anderson PowerPole SB175 connector that feeds the 10' 1/0 cables with jumper clamps.

Earlier on it was suggested an auxiliary battery holder/case might be a good way to go, I'd like to explore that with your help here. First question is where might I find the OEM parts for that OR is there a "better" device available? Given its importance and under-body installed location price again is not the deciding factor.

Labor for that installation would be DIY---I've become a driveway expert on terminating large cables.

As for an ACR that would be relative simple in operation what's the recommended brand and type? I assume Blue Sea would have something but I'm open to something robust and long-lived.

Thanks guys---I really appreciate the patience and sharing what cha know!

Where is your starting battery? The reason I ask is my 6.0 has 2 batteries under the side barn doors on the frame. Yeah outside might have some issues with cold depending on the weather you frequent. Most gassers have the starting battery under the hood. If that area is open, I'd think you could get a Ford diesel battery box provided you don't need a big battery like a 4D or larger.

[JWA]

Originally Posted by BrianW

My point was to just share how the very basic and easy setup was installed. Not to suggest you go looking for a wrecked Comcast van [emoji3] The battery was in the cargo area under shelving in a battery box. Inverter was on a shelf. I assumed they plugged in their battery packs to recharge.

Okay---I was kinda thinking that was your point BrianW----it's just much easier buying new . I've thought of placing an auxillary battery the cargo area---which is physically separated from the front seats but air can still flow throughout the entire van. As such I'd want a sealed and vented battery box I think?

Originally Posted by daveb

Where is your starting battery? The reason I ask is my 6.0 has 2 batteries under the side barn doors on the frame. Yeah outside might have some issues with cold depending on the weather you frequent. Most gassers have the starting battery under the hood. If that area is open, I'd think you could get a Ford diesel battery box provided you don't need a big battery like a 4D or larger.

The starter battery is located in the engine bay just behind the right side headlight area. I'm not sure how I'd locate a second battery in that same area, had thought it would go under the rear floor about where the barn doors are located?

On the issue of that location^^^ apart from what I'm finding OEM is there a suitable alternative or more preferable to something like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/38250967947...53.m1438.l2649?

TIA

[Twoxentrix]

@JWA, I'm out of my element with much of this Electrical stuff, that's why I normally rely on the brain power here for advise & recommendations...BUT, came across this a couple weeks ago when i was exploring a trailer hitch mount which would incorporate one or two batteries - something easily removable that would come in handy when I needed/wanted additional battery capacity (have no more room under the van, and really prefer not to carve out space on the interior)

https://cuttingedgepower.com/product...BoCx8kQAvD_BwE

[Scalf77]

A couple of other battery boxes. This would be comparable to ford oem mount
TorkLift HiddenPower Under-Vehicle Battery Mount with Battery Box

Or floor mount Flush Mount Battery Box

The Blue Sea ACR is great unit, and should have no problem with the loads you are expecting.

-greg