Connecting a Power Inverter to a Car Battery (Updated)

Connecting a power inverter to a car battery is a pretty easy process and a great way to turn DC current into AC current to run household appliances in an emergency power outage or disaster.

[IntoTheWildernessBushcraft]

Great video, Dale! Amps x Volts is correct. Keep in mind that due to engine coils (powers the spark plugs), Modules, lights, gauges, fuel pump & loss through resistance only give an average remaining available watts to about 700-800 watts max. Trying to pull more may only discharge the battery or might blow the main fuse. Most people don’t have a main fuse spare which would be catastrophic.
IMHO, don’t go beyond a 1000 watt inverter & make sure it shows your battery voltage, current wattage draw & has a low voltage shutdown. 🥾🏔️

[wrgphji]

Ya know.. I’ve been watching videos for over a week now and I really feel like this one was the easiest to understand what needs may be and how to achieve them!!

[bikiniluvnguy]

I carry a 700 watt inverter in my truck toolbox with a 3 gal hot dog house current air compressor. It is the right combo for tire air up and repair. The 12 volt air compressors dont impress me, burned several up. You can never have too many power inverters. I have them from 300 watt you can hold in your palm up to 3000 watt which is like a small suitcase.I think i have about 20 or more of them. The best generator is the one you drive every day, stays maintained and ready to use instantly.

[GrandsonofKong]

Good tips. One thing, make sure to pay attention the maximum wattage of your Inverter and the gauge size of the cable you use to connect to your battery. Smaller gauge cables can result on losses at bigger loads. Also the length of the cable needs to be considered as well. The manual for your Inverter should have some tables regarding cable gauge vs length. Basic Rule bigger gauge is better..within reason.

[cynthiaayers]

Never run the power from your car starter battery always have the switch like an RV or motorhome has to an auxiliary battery that's what you run your inverter from for it is made for that kind of charge and discharge. Just use an old car that doesn't need a license anymore and use the whole thing for generator. A thee cylinder is nice. Put from the dash and engine compartment in a shed wall. Now you have all the 12 volt and heating and cooling for your shed the defrost can even keep your solar panels snow melted off. Put a remote start in the house and you don't even have to go out. And talk about quiet and super cheap cheaper than a new Honda generator and it will last for 20 years or more. And if you want look at all your drive axles you can turn them into the Sawmill or a big sander or whatever you want it'll turn around and around for you. You can run a big generator head straight off of the crankshaft for the transmission is supposed to mount if you got rid of it. With a little imagination an old used car can become your own personal power station. On the real cheap.

[elmerkilred]

They sell high output alternators that crank out 400 amps that you can daisy chain. They are made for insane car audio systems. A 400 amp alternator would crank out close to 5000W this would be enough to run a mini split AC, maybe even a small air conditioner with a soft start (It's like a capacitor addition onto the condenser).

[peppilameu]

Ever since this video I have not had to pay for electricity! Got the flat screen going, my bitcoin mining company going, can make hot pockets, wash my clothes with the washer and dryer, and have the space heater running.

Since my wife loves spin class so much I have created a dynamo and she’s lost a lot weight!

[humor]

you made this so easy to understand! Thank you for this detailed vid!

[jayouknowwho]

Most alternators are not full capacity at idle.

[iward]

Great video here. Packed with information, super straightforward. 👍🏼

[lemdixon]

There's low power kettles and small low power ovens, but you can get DC kettles an DC TV's

[mainsource]

Thanks that was very useful as a refresher course .. I just purchased for.black Friday a allpower s700 700 watts 1400 max 688wh and a 140 watt foldable panel for outdoors, camping, truck, bedroom etc .. I was also looking into gettimg a inverter that's higher rated and I have a 130 Amp alternator I could hook up to a battery separately then use the inverter also .. jist figuring things out for future.. today is a 3 punch solar storm 12/1/23 and they say more are coming whihc may disturb power, wifi radio etc .. these are mid level g3, versus g5 being massive cme bursts .. so better to BE ready then get ready 😊

[lanilife]

Thanks. Ineed this right now since all generators are sold out.

[Popcorn]

A car battery from Walmart and this converter could be used for when the power goes out during a storm? How long will the battery last? Is there anything you shouldn't hook up to it?

[JohnDoe-cdro]

What about a small shop vac. Like a 1.5 gallon, 1-2 hp? My inverter is a peak 1200 watt and I would just be using the vacuum quickly.

[antipro]

Does the car have to be running to power appliances from an inverter that is hardwired in, or does it just run the 2nd battery down until you start the vehicle again to recharge it?

[SheilaAshmon]

Thanks for this video. If I only wanted to use a stand alone scanner and I have a plug like you have in your truck could I simply use that outlet to send a 60 page document without using an inverter?

[alexisamtosta]

Hi buddy. I was actually thinking of installing an inverter in my car to connect a pressure washer, a vaccum cleaner and a blow dryer. They will never be running at the same time.

[jrossnjax]

Great video! Very informative. I have the 300 watt inverter but it will not run my single use k-cup coffee maker. If I attach 12v /24v extension plug cigarette adapter to my f150 battery then plug in my 300 watt inverter will it run coffee maker? Its for camping purposes.

[mainsource]

Oh and I got the s700 for 199 and foldable panle allpowers 140 watt and the panel can charge cell and laptop directly also . 119 for panel vs 219 .. and 199 on sale instead of 429