Inverter ideas?

[Sandman434]

I've been considering installing an inverter in my '98 Land Cruiser, and I'm curious where some of y'all may have installed one (or more than one) in your builds. I have a 2000W pure sine wave inverter, but I really can't fit it anywhere without taking up floor space due to size. Ideally I'd like something either tucked away behind one of the third row side panels, or come up with some kind of quick-connect option to have it removable.

I have removed the factory subwoofer box, but I am thinking of putting a new one in that same location. Maybe 2000W is too large and I need to go with something like 700 or 1000, maybe even less. If there any any pictures or descriptions of some setups out there, I'd greatly appreciate them!

 

[Sandman434]

Btw, I have done some thread searching - I've come across some that are typically less power output or in a drawer type setup in the rear that I don't have (at least not yet ).

 

[Mike NXP]

Btw, I have done some thread searching - I've come across some that are typically less power output or in a drawer type setup in the rear that I don't have (at least not yet ).

You could consider mounting a rack on one of your side windows and having an area to rig some stuff up

Like this
Shop By Vehicle | orangeboxx - https://www.orangeboxxfabrication.com/online-store/Land-Cruiser-100-&-LX470-p149564926

 

[hoser]

Granted you have no rear A/C, check the right rear panel for extra space.

 

[Sandman434]

You could consider mounting a rack on one of your side windows and having an area to rig some stuff up

Like this
Shop By Vehicle | orangeboxx - https://www.orangeboxxfabrication.com/online-store/Land-Cruiser-100-&-LX470-p149564926

That's a pretty dang sweet idea. I had not seen those before, but I really like that as an option!

 

[Sandman434]

Granted you have no rear A/C, check the right rear panel for extra space.

Thinking that is probably #1 available space. The inverter I currently have is about 2.5" too tall to fit in the space, but it is a pretty open space for something that more on the wide-but-not-too-tall side of things.

 

[Mike NXP]

That's a pretty dang sweet idea. I had not seen those before, but I really like that as an option!

Yep. The install is not to invasive and you have some options for what you can store up there.....Biggest downside is the potential for your gear to rattle on it.

 

[Sandroad]

What do you need an inverter to power? Keep in mind that even a 500W inverter will need big 8AWG wire to run the full 42 amps it will draw. I had a small 120W pure sine wave inverter in my 100 that I plugged into the cargo outlet when I needed a bit of AC juice for my drone or laptop chargers. As an intermittent use thing, I just kept it in a case in my tool bag.

Figure out what you need it for, then figure out if you need it permanently installed, then figure out if you can get wiring/fusing to it, then figure out where it might fit. Any inverter will need to have some cooling consideration.

 

[BnvS]

hmm you can mount it on the top in the rear. I remember a old thread where a mudder put up a iron mesh on the top of the 3rd row. He used it as extra storage space. I think you can use that for your inverter as well. I thin its called an Artic rack. Check it out. Make sure you give enough space to dissipate the heat it will create.

Additionally I hope you are going to run a fat gauge cable straight from the battery to the back of the inverter or wherever you mount it.

 

[Sandman434]

What do you need an inverter to power? Keep in mind that even a 500W inverter will need big 8AWG wire to run the full 42 amps it will draw. I had a small 120W pure sine wave inverter in my 100 that I plugged into the cargo outlet when I needed a bit of AC juice for my drone or laptop chargers. As an intermittent use thing, I just kept it in a case in my tool bag.

Figure out what you need it for, then figure out if you need it permanently installed, then figure out if you can get wiring/fusing to it, then figure out where it might fit. Any inverter will need to have some cooling consideration.

I bought a new 2000 W inverter from an auction, so it would be cool to be able to use it, just since I had it. Knew it would be close on size if it fit at all, but that was before I had actually taken the rear panels out

Would be cool to have the option to power a laptop, mini fridge, coffee maker, microwave, things of that nature. I'm thinking for tailgating/cookouts or camping/beach driving, those would be the big uses. I probably would need either 2 GA or 1/0 cable - routing those through the firewall would be my other challenge.

 

[Sandman434]

hmm you can mount it on the top in the rear. I remember a old thread where a mudder put up a iron mesh on the top of the 3rd row. He used it as extra storage space. I think you can use that for your inverter as well. I thin its called an Artic rack. Check it out. Make sure you give enough space to dissipate the heat it will create.

Additionally I hope you are going to run a fat gauge cable straight from the battery to the back of the inverter or wherever you mount it.

I will check that out too!

Definitely would run 2 GA or 1/0 cable, and I also already have a new deep cycle marine battery I would install as an auxiliary battery to run it off of.

 

[Sandman434]

Yep. The install is not to invasive and you have some options for what you can store up there.....Biggest downside is the potential for your gear to rattle on it.

View attachment 2921966

Looks like the upper mount uses the grab handle holes - where does the bottom mount bolt into?

 

[Mike NXP]

Looks like the upper mount uses the grab handle holes - where does the bottom mount bolt into?

You pop two holes in the plastic and put a plastic mount in the hole. They actually hold up to a lot of abuse but it does require drilling that hole.

 

[SanDiegoCruiser]

Mounted my 1000W inverter here:

 

[rmhrc630]

You could consider mounting a rack on one of your side windows and having an area to rig some stuff up

Like this
Shop By Vehicle | orangeboxx - https://www.orangeboxxfabrication.com/online-store/Land-Cruiser-100-&-LX470-p149564926

I have a redarc 2000w inverter and was wondering if you had used the orangebox product to mount the inverter to?

 

[Mike NXP]

I have a redarc 2000w inverter and was wondering if you had used the orangebox product to mount the inverter to?

I don't use inverters . All portable power on my end and have no need to charge anything with higher watts.

The rack is solid though . I smash into it a lot at night when sleeping and have a decent amount of weight on it .

The top mounts into a threaded hole hole where your handle was so that's pretty solid but the bottom just uses push nuts into the plastic . Its not ideal but has held up surprisingly well over the last 4 + years . I bet it could support the inverter weight.

 

[Patassa]

I bought a jackery instead.

 

[rmhrc630]

I bought a jackery instead.

How do you actually charge a jackery? 4-5 days of coffee machine use would kill it wouldnt it?

I have an inverter - it weighs 5kg

 

[Mike NXP]

How do you actually charge a jackery? 4-5 days of coffee machine use would kill it wouldnt it?

I have an inverter - it weighs 5kg

You charge it like any other portable power pack via a wall outlet or car charger ( Or solar ) Most folks with these power packs aren't looking to run coffee machines, simply charge up devices.

 

[rmhrc630]

You charge it like any other portable power pack via a wall outlet or car charger ( Or solar ) Most folks with these power packs aren't looking to run coffee machines, simply charge up devices.

We go remote where there's no wall outlets and the sun isnt reliable