3rd Gen Power Inverter

[BlackIceWAP]

This might need to be in the electronics section, but I am so confused at this point I thought this might be a better area to post in.

I have a 97 SR5, and I am a photographer. I want to power 2000W worth of studio lighting with an inverter. Is that even possible? If so, what recommendations do you guys have for me? I have no idea how to install anything like this, and I don't even know if it's possible. I don't know much of anything about electricity, so I'm sorry for my ignorance.

Thanks for the help!!

Taylor

 

[GSGALLANT]

I hardwired my 1000W inverter to my auxilliary battery. I've got an Optima blue top marine battery, with 55 AH (amp - hour) Capacity. So max discharge current for me (at 12V) is 83 amps (1000W/12V).

The battery capacity is quoted in respect to 20 hours of discharge time at a constant current, which in my case would be 2.75 amps (55 AH / 20 hours = 2.75 amps). As current goes up though, capacity actually goes down. So at 83 amps, my actual capacity is more like 26 or 27 AH. That means that at full 83 A current, my battery will be dead in approx 20 minutes (26 AH / 83 amps = .31 hours = 20 minutes).

This, of course is assuming that my truck isn't running.

So to run 2000W of equipment on my battery, I'd get almost no running time. You'd have to look for at least a 100AH deep cycle battery (which is going to be $$$), or look at running 2 or three lower capacity aux deep cycle batteries in parallel, all connected to your alternator and separated from your main starting battery by an isolator. Either way, your setup is going to be expensive.

Don't even consider running it off your main starting battery for the vehicle, unless you want to be left stranded somewhere with no way to start your truck.

Also, running 2000W will pull 166 amps from your 12V battery, so you'll need beefy cables (somewhere between 0 and 4 guage... depending on how long the cables are.

 

[MARSHALLMAY]

This Might be your easiest route.

 

[nserpa9248]

Best bet really would be the seperate generator..

Making your car output that much AC current is always expensive, space-consuming, and a hassle...

Is there any way you can get DC lights? you will increase your efficiency (not converting the battery's power)