I've seen a number of threads talking about 1000w inverters for tapping into the Prius power instead of a generator. My need is somewhat different. I'm planning my 1st long road trip in several years and my portable O2 concentrator has died and a new one would cost close to $5k and would not supply enough O2 for me. My home concentrator uses 2w-110v and since it spikes when it powers on, I figured I'd need a 1000w inverter. My plan was to hook it directly to the 12v battery in the rear compartment. But I need to run the concentrator and therefore the inverter while I'm driving. Does anyone foresee a problem. I really appreciate your thoughts and assistance.
not at all. you can only run the inverter with the car in ready. otherwise, you would drain the 12v. so whether you're driving or parked, the car must be ready.
Does it have a nameplate current rating and does it say anything about (or have you measured) the magnitude of the spike?
Name plate says 2A but I found a manual online that says its 4.3A and uses 400W. Hopefully that means I'll be ok
When consuming 2 watts from a 110 V network, your 1000 W inverter will be loaded by less than 1%. I believe that your battery will not see the difference between the inverter turned on, working at idle and the inverter that will power your oxygen device. But as was correctly noted above, the inverter must work when the car is in the "Ready" mode, otherwise the 12 V battery will quickly be discharged and there will be a problem how to start the car.
IMHO; you need to do some experimenting at home with your inverter/generator. Plug your O2 generator into your inverter and watch it for an hour. It should handle the startup surge and give you an estimate of how long it'll run without wall power. I'm going to use equipment I know as examples. A Bluetti AC180 will handle 1800W sustained and 2700W surge. It will function like a UPS, meaning it can both charge and provide power at the same time. In the car, you can use the cigarette lighter to recharge it; but since it's considered life support equipment; I would also spring for the alternator charge box. This will allow the car's alternator; DC to DC converter to push up to 500W into the AC180; recharging it 6x faster than just a cigarette lighter connection. It can pull up to 50A from your Aux. battery and is fused for 60A. This also bypasses the risk of popping that lighter fuse Also carry an O2 tank as a backup - you'll need an alternate, if you get into trouble. Hope this helps..... BLUETTI D60L 560W Car Alternator Charger DC-DC Charger Combo for Power Stations | eBay Select AC180+charger1 option. The extra overhead will also allow you to run a car fridge, single serve coffee maker.
