With the growing popularity of power inverters in recent years, you have a broad range of options to select from. You might feel it’s a daunting task to find the right one for your needs! Truck enthusiasts, campers, paving contractors, construction workers and corporate owners love the power and convenience of both inverters and converters. Although, if you choose the wrong one or install it improperly, you endanger yourself and your property. Be smart! To help you in the process, in this article, we are going to provide you with a brief guide on the critical factors involved in considering any truck power inverter on the market.
Before you can tell what constitutes the best power inverters for trucks, you might wonder, “what exactly is a power inverter? A power inverter is a useful electronic device that safely converts direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC). This alternating current charges and operates vehicles, such as trucks, and household appliances. Technicians and engineers use these currents to power many appliances for both household and commercial use. For this article, we’ll focus on power inverters as used in truck toolboxes. No matter what you do – whether it’s asphalt paving, concrete work, electrical work, HVAC or any other contracting, you can discover the benefits of having a powerful, reliable power inverters.
How to Select the Right Power Inverter
For most people, their budget forms the most important aspect in selecting the right model inverter. Choosing the largest, most efficient inverter available may ensure that you are covered for whatever use, and save you money in the long-run. Take a quick analysis of your power requirements and see what you can do with your needs.
Here’s a quick calculation to get a ballpark estimate on what size inverter you need:
- Step 1: each device that you intend to power will have a wattage number displayed on it somewhere. Add up all the devices wattages.
- Step 2: add about 35% of the total wattage.
- Step 3: round up to the next size power inverter. (If your calculation adds up over 1600 watts, buy a standard 2,000-watt inverter)
- NOTE: If the wattage isn’t displayed, use this simple calculation: amps x volts = wattage.
- NOTE: consider the surge rating of your equipment. As devices initially power up they draw up to twice as much power as they regularly use, so you will want to be sure that your power inverter is rated for double your wattage requirements to handle system startups.
Sine or Modified Sine
Inverters are available in either sine wave or modified sine wave output. Truck owners usually prefer sine wave because it powers devices that same way your home does, with a consistent voltage free of spikes and drops. However modified sine wave power can operate most electronics just fine, and generally much more affordable than alternatives.
Sine wave inverters also have slightly less efficiency because they use extra power to keep the voltage consistent. Ultimately, it’s a small difference, and you should determine which to use based on specific electronic devices that need powering.
Installation
Correctly installing a power inverter to your vehicles battery is critical, and should be carried out by a professional technician, preferably at a dealer. Carefully follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, as these electrical components pose a serious risk to your truck/car and your person if installed improperly. You should inspect and consider factors like proper ventilation, placement, and wiring during the installation process. Drivers should not attempt to install a power inverter themselves unless they have done so before and know what they are doing.
Reliability
With the sheer number of power inverters available for trucks today, you might find it tricky to really develop confidence in an investment. Although, as long as you research the features and reviews of the product, the right buy will prove well worth the cost.
You should look for an inverter with “Regulatory Listed” approval. The seal, listed as UL or ETL with UL458 rating, shows that the unit has been inspected by a third party agency and commercially approved for use. To pass these inspections and carry these ratings, inverter units need to meet strict requirements that ensure their top safety and effectiveness. Inverters with a Regulatory Listed approval will be more expensive than their unrated counterparts, but it guarantees a certain amount of reliability and security that you cannot risk operating without!
Batteries
Though not a requirement, you’d be wise to opt for an inverter with a built-in battery charger. If you use electrical outlets when available, you may prolong the life of your batteries by as much as 30%.
High-quality inverters will have a low voltage disconnect (LVD) which automatically disconnects when the voltage drops below 11.7 volts. Most inverters use power from the truck’s starting battery, and having the LVD ensures that the truck will still have enough power to start. When shopping, keep an eye out for this feature for optimal usage.
If you intend to run a lot of devices from your inverter, you may consider installing two dedicated deep-cycle batteries to connect everything. Deep-cycle batteries can be powered down to a 50% charge and still double or even triple the amount of continuous power provided.
What Makes the Best Power Inverter The Best?
When buying or choosing a power inverter for your truck, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. For starters, inverters come in different sizes, so ask yourself, what dimensions fit my truck? More extensive models also tend to produce more power. They range from 300 watts to 5,000 watts. These large inverters are suitable, however, they usually cost much more than others. Think about your engine output, truck bed space, and budget. Size isn’t everything! Find an inverter with the right quality to match your vehicle. A high-end inverter is one that has undergone many quality tests and has proved to last beyond its warranty time. You might find yourself paying high maintenance cost for a cheaply made power box.
List of the 7 best power inverters for cars & trucks
Many online stores claim to sell the best power inverters on the market. Look for a company who specializes in power products and accessories. That way, no matter which truck year, make and model you have, there is bound to be a power inverter that accurately fits the dimensions of your truck bed. Here’s a rundown of select power inverters that are sold on Amazon which we have hand-selected to be the best (in no specific order):
Let’s break down the details of each of these power inverters: (NOTE: we are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.)
1. The Ampeak 2000W Power Inverter
This power inverter is a personal favorite for its easy portability, rugged design and more than affordable price. The Ampeak can run as high as 2000 watts, which should cover the needs of almost any truck and project needs. Additionally, it has a USB outlet, a useful switch, and three AC outlets.
2. The Bestek 1200W Power Inverter
Hands-down, BESTEK is the most popular and consumer-friendly brand for power inverters. We love how the 1200W BESTEK is relatively lightweight and portable for packing so much power. The small size and unique solid aluminum alloy housing of this inverter makes it stand out from the others. Its sleek body size makes it easy to handle and carry around the jobsite or campsite. The BESTEK gives a maximum constant alternating current of about 1,200 watts. Additionally, it holds two USB ports, and two power outlets. It’s simple to use with it’s intuitive and fluid controls; you connect your inverter, and you’re set within minutes!
3. The Cobra PRO 2500W Power Inverter
Cobra has been in the auto accessory game for a while now, making them a brand you can certainly trust for quality. This sleek modified sine wave inverter, which has a design similar to the radar detectors Cobra is well-known for, features the same simplicity of its competition but with nearly double the current power. This power inverter will generate a whopping 2,500 watts continuously and up to double that at its peak! This incredible power makes it the best quality for your money’s worth. It has four outlets that support 110 volts each. It conserves energy by utilizing a built-in cooling fan. Also, the safety features are great, with an interior fuse that helps regulate power to avoid sudden surges. But that’s only one of the five levels of protection, making this equipment great for someone new to using power inverters.
4. The Bestek 300W Power Inverter
Who said something so small couldn’t be so powerful? We call this the Manny Pacquiao of power inverters. This smaller, extremely portable inverter can support 300 watts. It has two ports where you can connect a USB cord and 12-volts power outlets. It is convenient to carry around because of its small size. Just as the larger 1200W model, this inverter has a built-in fan for cooling and is loaded with safety features. At its low price, this is one of the best budget power inverters in the market.
5. The Power Bright 2300W Power Inverter
Unlike the other previously mentioned power inverters, this inverter is made with a special metal alloy (anodized aluminum) for its outer covering. Plus, the green color is just awesome and pretty unique compared to any other converter on the market. While a bit heavier, this inverter gives out a very decent power current of around 2300 watts at 24V and a peak of 4,600 watts. It also has a unique cooling system – a thermal cooling fan to maintain optimal temperature. So, you can use this thing all day, no matter what job. Not saying that the other converters will blow – but with all equipment, you never want to overload it.
6. The KRIEGER 2000 Watt (4000 Watt Peak) 12V Power Car Inverter KR2000
The KRIEGER 2000 Watt 12V Power Car Inverter KR2000 converts the direct current of 12 volts to alternating current of 120 volts, accessible through either the multiple USB ports or your truck’s power outlets. Best of all, it comes with a remote control to adjust the setting as you work your projects from afar. The indicators truly set the KRIEGER 2000 apart from the competition by giving an easy-to-understand display of temperatures and power levels for your convenience.
7. The POTEK 5000W Power Inverter
This one is the perfect gift for tech lovers. It’s one of the most powerful inverters on the market by-far at 5000 watts continuous power and 10,000 watt peak power. Meaking, you can basically power just about anything you can think of. Whether you’re out camping or on a construction site, this will do the job with no prob. The only drawback to that, is that it’s not the most portable unit, weighing in at almost 23 pounds.
Making the Right Choice
Hopefully, this list help eases some indecision and gives you confidence in the right power inverter for you.
If you are outfitting your truck or fleet with power inverters and aren’t sure which products are the right fit, considering the factors we’ve discussed in this article should give you a good starting place. Beyond determining the appropriate size, installation, and features that fit your needs and budget, it’s up to you to determine which manufacturer and product will be a trusted, and reliable fit for your vehicle or fleet. Take some time to research and find savings online!
Buying a power inverter for your truck may seem like it is difficult, but keeping yourself informed, you’re bound to make a rewarding purchase that you won’t regret! What are you waiting for again? With the right power inverters, you’ll never have to worry about not having power again!
Wherever you go, go with power!
