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Power Inverter question

bumpo83

Rank IV
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

Wanting to add a power inverter to the rear of my Subaru Outback as was curious if this can be done off the main battery or do I need to purchase a separate battery for this option? I'm thinking a 1000 watt pure sine would be more than enough for my needs. Thanks!
 

Kevtd

Rank 0

Contributor II

It can be done with the stock battery in the Subaru but you then have to worry about draining the battery.
I would be sure to.
Fuse something like this close to the battery.
Put it on a switch if it does not have its own (will draw power even with nothing plugged in).
Possibly put in a low voltage cut off to help prevent you getting stranded.
 

bumpo83

Rank IV
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

It can be done with the stock battery in the Subaru but you then have to worry about draining the battery.
I would be sure to.
Fuse something like this close to the battery.
Put it on a switch if it does not have its own (will draw power even with nothing plugged in).
Possibly put in a low voltage cut off to help prevent you getting stranded.
I plan on upgrading my battery from the sub standard Subaru to a group 34 size and had planned on running a 100amp breaker before entering into a fuse block. I had also planned on running a switch to the inverter but a low voltage cutoff is something I hadn't thought of!! Thanks for the advice! When I get my Wilco spare tire carrier, I am thinking of adding a spare battery to the back where the current spare tire resides but thats a little ways down the road!
 

Flipper

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

I installed a 1200W inverter under the drivers seat that I pulled out of our overland van when I replaced it with a 2KW pure sine wave years ago. Used a Blue Seas Systems fuse post on the battery. The inverter fit perfectly and Subaru even has a ground stud under the seat floorboard with a precut carpet flap over it so I didnt even have to cut the carpet and drill for a ground. Gotta love the subie engineers! Ran 4 ga. thru the firewall at a blank firewall plug right beside the power steering assy. then under the console to the seat area. I also installed DC ports beside the inverter, 2 USB and 3 cigarette style. Ran the output AC to the rear left corner of the rear cargo area where the stock DC accy plug is along with a DC sub buss off the 4 ga at the inverter so I have the switched subaru outlet and a high current outlet unswitched directly from the battery. The copper color in the pix of the battery terminal is CRC 2-26 which waterproofs electrics. Great product, highly recommend. The other line coming off the 2nd batt post and thru the firewall is a direct line to my 2M and CB radios. When I run the inverter I keep the engine running since it is only a one battery system. 3293C8A8-8FDE-4979-8BFE-E96F3A2058F7.jpegB584E22E-0347-425B-AAD9-38AB1DA9B3C0.jpeg03E588D3-A58D-48AA-943B-9DB10F0EBBB0.jpegCF51B698-5DBD-4FD4-9CE2-D91E21BD44B6.jpeg3EE40AF7-A7BA-4090-B830-19A9020FB00C.jpeg
 
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bumpo83

Rank IV
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

I installed a 1200W inverter under the drivers seat . I had an extra one that I pulled out of our overland van when I replaced it with a 2KW pure sine wave years ago. Used a Blue Seas Systems fuse post on the battery. The inverter fit perfectly and Subaru even has a ground stud under the seat floorboard with a precut carpet flap over it so I didnt even have to cut the carpet and drill for a ground. Gotta love the subie engineers! Ran 4 ga. thru the firewall at a blank firewall plug right beside the power steering assy. then under the console to the seat area. I also installed DC ports beside the inverter, 2 USB and 3 cigarette style. Ran the output AC to the rear left corner of the rear cargo area where the stock DC accy plug is along with a DC sub buss off the 4 ga at the inverter so I have the switched subaru outlet and a high current outlet unswitched directly from the battery. The copper color in the pix of the battery terminal is CRC 2-26 which waterproofs electrics. Great product, highly recommend. The other line coming off the 2nd batt post and thru the firewall is a direct line to my 2M and CB radios. When I run the inverter I keep the engine running since it is only a one battery system. View attachment 93510View attachment 93511View attachment 93512View attachment 93513View attachment 93514
And this is what I love so much about the Overlanding community!!! Thank you so much for the great ideas!!!! My brain has spent all weekend mapping out wiring solutions in my head haha!
 
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