12v to 110vac inverter on an M1031

I have read everything I can get my hands on for this topic and I am still confused.

As it says in the title I have an M1031. The generator works so power is not a problem but I would really like to hook up an inverter so I can run my blender for margaritas and what not without having to run the truck. (I already have a 2000 watt inverter in hand)

I have a diagram of the charging system in it shows "Generator 1 (left) front battery charging" and "Generator 2 (right) both batteries charging". Based on that can I hook the inverter up to the front battery only?

Another idea I had was to hook up to both batteries in parallel (12v) and disconnect it with a couple of relays when not in use.

Any other thoughts? I have not seen this spcifically addressed for this set up.

This project is not important enough to justify spending much money on it but it seems like it should not be too hard to get working.


thanks for any info.

You could run the inverter from either battery as long as you run the wires directly to the battery posts. However, if the inverter does not have an isolated ground, you would need to be sure to not touch anything metal in the truck if you use the back battery. Doing so would result in a dead short to the front battery. I have tried to draw a quick picture to illustrate this. The green line shows the current path that would result if the inverter does not have an isolated ground and touches something metal in the truck.

You would have to unhook the current "in series" connections to hook the batteries up "in parallel". While it can be done, it would be a lot of trouble and take some heavy duty relays.

Do I need to be worried about draining one battery more than the other? With two alternators and one labeled for the front battery maybe that is no concern for me. true?

thx

With the dual alternators, there is no issue with draining one battery more then the other. Assuming that the load is not more then the alternator's max output.

I don't think you need to be worried about draining one more than the other. Unless you have the high output system which has both alternators on the passenger side, one alternator charges one battery and the other alternator charges the other battery. The only advantage I see to using the back battery is that it isn't used for anything except starting the truck. The front battery has all of the trucks 12v loads on it.

i have a quick question, i hooked up an inverter in my m1009 on the rear passenger fender now if i understrood you correctly i messed up the instalkl.
i ran a positive line from the positive terminal on the front battery and ran the ground to the fender and grounded out on the fender. now i havent had any problems with this set up so far except for if i start the truck with the inverter powered up it beeps and i have to turn it off then on again. so from your post it sounds like i may have messed up the install and need to re wire so that the ground runs direct to the ground terminal on battery instead of on the fender?

maritimer, as long as you are drawing juice from the front battery, the chassis ground is fine. If you were drawing from the back battery, the magic smoke would have vacated.

Or you could just buy a 12v blender off epay and save yourself some trouble....