Inverter upgrade

Kinda wanna upgrade the stock inveter. Right now I can charge my 1,000 watt ecoflow at 85 watts from the rear cigarette lighter. The AC plug doesn't seem to work I'm guessing because maybe the power is dirty.

I'm thinking this 500 watt victron. That way if I have to run a new power cable to support the extra 100 watts it won't have to be too thick. Additionally the low watts won't kill the 4runners battery. And if I get a fridge, the economy flow can quickly charge from the car when driving rather than 85 watts.

Any gotchas or holes in the plan. Bad idea in any way?

$144 Victron Energy 500VA 12-Volt 120V AC Pure Sine Wave Inverter

https://www.amazon.com/Victron-Ener...mzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840

 

Kai posted info on this

Could help?

 

Well shoot. If nothing else I feel smart that I picked the delta 2 for the same reasons he did (from the next video he links in the video you linked).

That's cool. Let's you run smaller wire because the DC-DC charger runs on higher colts therefore less amps, if, as he points out, you mount it under your hood.

He's slightly mistaken actually. I think. He says that you can over run your AC inverter because when charging AC the delta 2 bypasses it's batteries and pulls power from the AC outlets if you have anything plugged into the delta 2 while charging. This is true. However, in the phone app you just need to manually limit the AC draw from the charging source.

So as long as you do that, I think an AC inverter is more versatile. Because then you can use the AC outlet. Even add another one maybe.

I've been looking at the victron spec sheets and looks like I'll probably go with the 800 watt one as it actually does like 650 watts or something continuous. The 500 watt one I like I think does 350.

 

If you decide to upsize the inverter, make sure the existing wiring can handle the increased DC amperage to the new inverter.

Do the math and if need be upsize the wiring.

 

So I would have used a thicker cable than the victron spec sheet has. But excellent point. I'm always afraid of a short.

 

Yep, make sure your truck is hot stuff, not your wiring

 

Have you considered a dual battery system?
Below is a link to what I did to run my fridge.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/cowboys-dual-battery-install.21998/

 

You got a very cool setup there and I've always thought dual battery setup were bad ass. I don't think I have the necessity. The delta 2 does a good job and can be moved around within camp.

 

I'm about to pull all my interior so sound deaden, do some stereo stuff and (hopefully) install this inverter. Anyone know how much space there is under the plastics where the stock inverter is? This thing seems a little large. It's about 10Lx7Wx3.5H

 

Aint guna fit. Maybe if the top shelf thing were replaceable with a flat plastic instead of whats on there now which is indented. Additionally, why the F would Toyota put screws on the inside for the top panel. Seem alike it should be easily removable to service the "inverter" but no, you gotta take EVERYTHING apart to get in there.

 

How are you liking this inverter @Thacrow ?

A smallish pure sine that comes on with the ignition for 3-400w while driving sounds ideal for supplementing my solar automatically, since the Delta 2 can manage separate AC and DC inputs on its own.

 

It wont fit where I want it so It was not installed. I'm going to remove the interior next weekend so I'll take a look at modifying plastics and what not and see if I can make this thing fit. As it stands it's a no go.

Maybe I'll look at other quality brands and see if there's anything smaller.

 

Thacrow-

just wanted to say that the Victron is a first class unit. I have a Phoenix 1200 watt in my hobby trailer. These things are tanks and having real power transformers in them can handle much bigger startup surges than the cheap Chinese units. I’ve run power tools and even a heat gun on mine that by rights shouldn’t even power up on something less than 1500w.

if you are looking for something smaller and lighter the brand Giandel came up a lot in my research as one of the best of the inexpensive Chinese brands sold through Amazon. The DIY solar YouTube guy recommended them.

 

I was pretty set on Victron because exactly that, its super high quality. I was looking at Giandel and about the equivalent inverter is...no surprise...almost the exact same size....probably because both are quality brands with good components. I'm going to have to remove the plastics and see what I can cut or modify to try to make it work

 

Small update--swapped the Bluetti PS72 for a Delta 2 and I don't think this is a very good battery for my use case.

It's packaged better, charges much faster on AC, has cooling fans that actually work, and a big inverter, but the DC cig output (barrel plugs are current limited) seems to have voltage sag under load. Had to switch the fridge to eco mode (which lets it get a little warmer than I prefer), otherwise the compressor runs nonstop at 75w indicating 11.5v while on the Bluetti it would happily cycle to colder temps pulling 40w or less with the fridge displaying a solid 12.7v. Weird.



The sun is just starting to shine, so we'll see how it does on a hot day. I have a 300w inverter on the way to try out dual charging, but I'm thinking that a big dumb second underhood battery would have been smarter from the start.

 

anyone know if you need to upgrade the AC outlet if you have a slightly bigger inverter?

 

I don’t know why I didn’t think about this before, but I should’ve used the wiring to the existing inverter to a DC/DC 12/24V converter, and kept the power draw to 34 amps. Then I could use the existing dash switch to turn it on or off, and also removed the inverter plug and just had an Anderson connector. Use that to plug into the Delta 2 with the solar cable end. Damn, why do I think of it now?!? The 6awg wiring I bought cost a pretty penny.

 

So.....that's a really good idea. Like, excellent.

Would that work though? Solar panels are typically 24 or 48 volt. Would the 12 volt work or does the delta 2 not care? I also have a delta 2.

 

hey if anyone here knows the answer to this one....otherwise I'm going to probably make an account on some solar off grid forums.


The green on the back of the inverter plugs into the switch right there. Looks like they also sell these adapters presumably to use your own switch. Anyone know if and why these adapters would be necessary? Or can i just plug 12v into the correct green connection off a push button factory style switch? or if the adapter is necessary I guess the push button switch into that adapter into the inverter.

 

looks like this got answered in another forum wow was I being lazy. I mean it was more work typing stuff here than just adding "forums to a search I already had open. And now I'm just talking to myself probably trying to avoid this tedious stereo and inverter install..

 

Why not use an under seat air compressor mount (or something similar) for the new inverter and keep both?

 

I put amps under the sears. So I did this. Finishing wiring right now.

 

If anyone comes upon this, per the manual and my confirmation, 12v in the left green will turn this on so you can use any switch you want.

 

Sorry for late response. The Delta 2 will charge (solar port) with an input at 24V.

 

I’m about to start pulling stuff apart in the hatch area to set up a baseboard for drawers. Regarding the stock inverter, what gauge is the wiring to it? How is the 400W disable (reduced 100W) modified for when you drive? Is that controlled within the stock inverter?

 

Looks like the wire is 8 awg, so that should be fine to handle 350-400W 12.8V (27-32 amps). I’m hoping (fingers crossed) the inverter power cuts down to 100W while driving based on input signal wires. I’ll test them to see what is giving some mA’s as a signal, and hopefully use that with the dash button to turn on the Victron step up converter. Fits well in this spot, I’ll just 3D print a better way to use existing mounts if stock wiring works well

 

Pretty sure it's 10 gauge. I ran 8 gauge to my inverter and it's bigger.

4runners stock inverter will do 400 watts when you press the inverter button while you have it in park. There's a mod to make it 400 watts all the time

https://www.4runners.com/threads/in-motion-400w-mod.28612/

 

Isn't orion DC to DC? are uiu charging a lithium battery with that?

 

Correct. Going to remove the AC outlet, and just have wires for a solar wire connection to charge my EcoFlow Delta 2 Max.

As per your above note, I guess the wire is only pushing full amps at idle, and maybe voltage at idle is 13.3V? Trying to understand Toyota’s thinking on using 10awg.

 

400 watts divided by 13 volts is about 30 amps. Per some chart you can run 10gauge for 16 feet at 35 amps, so a little further at 30 amps.

Toyota just trying to save money.