Install power inverter in the engine bay?

[Physh1]

I'm in the middle of installing a 1000w power inverter & this is the one I have...

http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-CPI1000..._1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1301084753&sr=1-1

I've given up finding a nice place in the cab for it...
- too large for center console...
- it's smashed by the rear seat when/if I need to fold them down.

Can I install this in the engine bay, in the area for the 2nd battery, without too much concern? Any issues with this? I will probably fab up a shield for it to protect it from water...just in case...

Cameron

 

[07Burb]

Why would you need it in the engine bay??

 

[denalianyone]

I put mines behind the driver seat underneath. Very good spot.

 

[Physh1]

I don't need it in the engine bay but I can easily run the power cord & usb into the cab, right to the dash, where I want to install the ports.

Seems like an easier solution than running power from the battery all the way back to the 2nd row, than running USB & power all the way back up to the dash.

Seems like if the inverter is safe under the hood it would make things a lot easier to wire & the runs would be a ton shorter.

Cameron

---------- Post added at 03:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:53 PM ----------

I put mines behind the driver seat. Very good spot.

My inverter is a little big for that spot...it sticks out & port access is tight...

Cameron

 

[gore666]

i would find a better spot. moisture will ruin it under the hood. it would have to be a water tight box and then it would just over heat. i got one in one of the side panels in the back

 

[ghoster]

i would find a better spot. moisture will ruin it under the hood. it would have to be a water tight box and then it would just over heat. i got one in one of the side panels in the back

I would agree, heat and moisture would kill it under the hood.

 

[riso79]

Are you sure that it will not fit behind the plastic in the center console? I put mine there standing up in its side, specifically pullled out the center console and put in between the console & the drivers seat. I then put the plugs in the center console also. Check out my album, there are some pics.
In the engine bay is just a bad idea. Too wet, then too hot.

 

[jmyler]

Agree with above. Those things are super finicky(the ones i've owned at least) and heat, moisture, and dirt are not their friend. Take a look under your hood all three of those are prevalent.

DO you guys that have them installed have any pics?

 

[2005yukonxl]

cant find the thread right now but over in the tundra forum where i spend my other half of my life, a member took his inverter apart and put the electronics below the console and extended the wires to the AC outlets and cut holes and actually mounted the outlets into the console back. looked very clean and OEM.

see if this works. its not the same truck i was thinking of but something similar via google. looks like his inverter is under the seat and mounted the outlets to the console, one on the back with a 12v outlet as well as the video hookups. thats not stock but certainly looks it. the other outlet is inside the console mounted into the wall. if i needed AC power in ours this is how it owuld do it too.

http://rides.webshots.com/album/576095609GWUqnI

 

[chevy_man]

I'd take your center console apart, you'd be suprised at how much room is under there.


Also, try and refrain from charging batteries off of it. The modified sine wave doesn't do you any favors. I've had several dewalt and laptop batteries go bad super quick, and when I started researching they aren't designed for the modified wave and it causes them to damage the batteries.