What is the largest inverter that can run at idle?

[Nomadjohn]

I am looking to get an inverter to use while camping or in an emergency to charge a "Solar Generator". We do have some solar but not enough to charge things up quickly. What I'm wondering is how much juice have folks pulled off of the alternator on their ranger at idle for extended periods of time (say an hour or two). FWIW I have a '21 Lariat though I think all non-Tremor Rangers built before '22 have the same alternator.

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[canyonslicker]

I’m thinking 400 watts or little less than 30 amps at 12 volts.

 

[Synfulz]

I like this idea. I think I will get one for myself in case we have power outage here so I can at least keep my fridge going. I am looking at a 1500W continuous with 3000W peak. Mine would be a 240 V inverter, so at the 1500W load would be 6.25 A, and the 3000W load it would be 12.5 A.

 

[oldnslow]

I like this idea. I think I will get one for myself in case we have power outage here so I can at least keep my fridge going. I am looking at a 1500W continuous with 3000W peak. Mine would be a 240 V inverter, so at the 1500W load would be 6.25 A, and the 3000W load it would be 12.5 A.

But your Ranger runs at 12V, not 240V. The current out of the alternator will be 125A @ 1500W, and 250A @ 3000W. I have doubts that the alternator can do 125A at idle speed. Admittedly I don't know the rating on these but peak power will be at well above idle.

Hopefully someone who knows will post the alternator ratings.

 

[Synfulz]

But your Ranger runs at 12V, not 240V. The current out of the alternator will be 125A @ 1500W, and 250A @ 3000W. I have doubts that the alternator can do 125A at idle speed. Admittedly I don't know the rating on these but peak power will be at well above idle.

Hopefully someone who knows will post the alternator ratings.

Correct, temporary brain fart. I am trying to forget all this stuff.
Guess I like the idea of free energy haha!

 

[Trigganometry]

Take a look at this thread. https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/alternator-compatibility-and-availability.16299/post-330127

 

[canyonslicker]

The key is output vs rpm. You could maybe get an undersized pulley to crank more current during idle on the cheap but it also requires a different belt size. Also sometimes the alternator is used to detect rpm so that may be a no go. Call after market alternator builders but pricey..

 

[Nomadjohn]

Take a look at this thread. https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/alternator-compatibility-and-availability.16299/post-330127

I have seen that thread and read it over. There is a lot of "I've heard ..." and the like and of course those are related to the alternator rating which, as has been pointed out by @canyonslicker and others, is different than what can be produced at idle. If I'm missing something please let me know.

 

[Grumpaw]

Rather then go thru the problems that might arise with an inverter via your Ranger, why not look at a small portable generator. Over the last few years numerous small 1500/2000 wat gennys have come on the market, under $400, and many weigh less than 40-45 lbs, not much bigger than a 5 gallon gas can.
Have seen many of these small gennys on out camping trips...lot of tenters carry them and their quiet.

 

[Trigganometry]

I have an old Honda 1500W generator that was my dads. It’s portable and if in a few years dead electric cars start appearing on roadsides I can charge say $50 bucks for the delivery will be in order! ?

 

[Nomadjohn]

Rather then go thru the problems that might arise with an inverter via your Ranger, why not look at a small portable generator. Over the last few years numerous small 1500/2000 wat gennys have come on the market, under $400, and many weigh less than 40-45 lbs, not much bigger than a 5 gallon gas can.
Have seen many of these small gennys on out camping trips...lot of tenters carry them and their quiet.

Initially I had leaned away from that largely due to their need for regular maintenance and that they would need special consideration during transportation but that may we'll be simpler in the end. Not having power for a while might be crummy but if I break our tow vehicle that will ruin a camping trip real quick.

 

[Grumpaw]

Initially I had leaned away from that largely due to their need for regular maintenance and that they would need special consideration during transportation but that may we'll be simpler in the end. Not having power for a while might be crummy but if I break our tow vehicle that will ruin a camping trip real quick.

Maintaince is only a quart of oil and a spark plug . They sip gas unless on full output...even then probably use less gas than an idling Ranger. Some only use quarts of gas for hours run time. Their rpm's only go up as more output is needed.
Your Ranger in park at idle is what 700-750 rpm, which isn't going to produce much power to the inverter, so your stuck with sitting in the seat holding gas pedal down for more rpm's.
A good one is around $400....probably less than a good quality inverter and the wiring associated with it.

 

[EJH]

Rather then go thru the problems that might arise with an inverter via your Ranger, why not look at a small portable generator. Over the last few years numerous small 1500/2000 wat gennys have come on the market, under $400, and many weigh less than 40-45 lbs, not much bigger than a 5 gallon gas can.
Have seen many of these small gennys on out camping trips...lot of tenters carry them and their quiet.

This.
I have a great little WEN 2000W inverter generator that costs ~$400 now a days. Mine sips fuel.
Amazon link
If you need more power, you can parrallel this model (and most other brands 2000W generators) to get 4000W, 30 amps.

 

[Nomadjohn]

Maintaince is only a quart of oil and a spark plug . They sip gas unless on full output...even then probably use less gas than an idling Ranger. Some only use quarts of gas for hours run time. Their rpm's only go up as more output is needed.
Your Ranger in park at idle is what 700-750 rpm, which isn't going to produce much power to the inverter, so your stuck with sitting in the seat holding gas pedal down for more rpm's.
A good one is around $400....probably less than a good quality inverter and the wiring associated with it.

Just my ignorance here, but the last time I owned something with a small gas engine (gas lawn mower) there were additional issues with fuel stabilization and I had to do a carb clean out once a year. That wasn't too bad to do at the start of spring but this would get used irregularly and I can see that being a hassle. Are those issues more or less resolved?

 

[D Fresh]

Rather then go thru the problems that might arise with an inverter via your Ranger, why not look at a small portable generator. Over the last few years numerous small 1500/2000 wat gennys have come on the market, under $400, and many weigh less than 40-45 lbs, not much bigger than a 5 gallon gas can.
Have seen many of these small gennys on out camping trips...lot of tenters carry them and their quiet.

They are absolutely NOT quiet.


Nothing worse than going out to camp in nature's serenity and hearing some dipshit's generator running all night.

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