Educate me on power inverters

[12guns]

Ok, tailgating last weekend was AWESOME with a borrowed 2000 watt Honda generator. I've been searching online for inverters that hook to your car battery. Just had a few questions that I'm sure you guys can answer.
First off, I'm certian with around 1000 watts, the car will have to be run while the inverter is in use...
Second, what is the limit of wattage I can use so the alternator can keep up?
It doesn't make sense to run the car all day while tailgating, but I also am frustrated that the 400 (i think) watt inverter that's built in doesn't power much over a laptop or a small fan.
Anybody have pics of a permanant install of a higher output inverter?
IF and only IF a person had to, could a 1500 watt inverter be used to power a TV and Satalite dish?
Lots of questions I know. I'll be reading up on google, but wanted your thoughts as well. Thanks

 

[DC Dude]

Ok, tailgating last weekend was AWESOME with a borrowed 2000 watt Honda generator. I've been searching online for inverters that hook to your car battery. Just had a few questions that I'm sure you guys can answer.
First off, I'm certian with around 1000 watts, the car will have to be run while the inverter is in use...
Second, what is the limit of wattage I can use so the alternator can keep up?
It doesn't make sense to run the car all day while tailgating, but I also am frustrated that the 400 (i think) watt inverter that's built in doesn't power much over a laptop or a small fan.
Anybody have pics of a permanant install of a higher output inverter?
IF and only IF a person had to, could a 1500 watt inverter be used to power a TV and Satalite dish?
Lots of questions I know. I'll be reading up on google, but wanted your thoughts as well. Thanks

Forget the Honda generator and the inverter.

Get yourself a Yamaha inverter generator that provides clean power and is ultra quiet. I did.

Wisesales.com | Yamaha Generators EF2400iS Super Quiet Portable RV Camping

Wisesales.com | Yamaha Generators EF2000iS Super Quiet Portable RV Camping

 

[Nuke]

No need to run the engine if you get yourself a good deep cycle battery or even 2 connected in parallel. Just recharge them after you get home. During a blizzard on xmas day that knocked out power for 14 hours, I ran a 1000W inverter on one of the 2 deep cycle batteries from my boat's trolling motor to power a 36" TV, sound system and the kids video games plus a DVD player.

You might even want to consider replaceing your starting battery with a combination deep cycle/starting battery in the vehicle and forego a separate deep cycle.

 

[12guns]

No need to run the engine if you get yourself a good deep cycle battery or even 2 connected in parallel. Just recharge them after you get home. During a blizzard on xmas day that knocked out power for 14 hours, I ran a 1000W inverter on one of the 2 deep cycle batteries from my boat's trolling motor to power a 36" TV, sound system and the kids video games plus a DVD player.

You might even want to consider replaceing your starting battery with a combination deep cycle/starting battery in the vehicle and forego a separate deep cycle.

Thanks! That'S good to know. I do have a deep cycle batt, next time I may try that and see how long it lasts. I didn't know a batt would power anything of significance with out draining it fast.