Outlet conversion

Jeepman56 · **Posted:** Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:52 pm

What would it take to convert the 12 volt "cigarette lighter" outlet in the cargo bay, to a 120 volt "normal household style" outlet. Need a bigger alternator or battery? How about if I added one in front on a toggle?

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:57 pm

if it were me I would upgrade my alternator to the same size as the Rennie and a good battery like optima yellow top or red top I cant remember which one everyone is using

tjkoen01 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:11 am

you are forgetting the most important part....the inverter. A bigger alt and/or battery will not get you any closer to 120 volts by itself.

I have a 400 watt inverter installed under my driver seat. I bought an amp install kit to get the heavy duty wire, fuse holder and distribution block to hook it up. It works great without upgrading the battery or alternator.

unless you are planning on getting a 1000+ watt inverter, more than likely a battery or alternator is not necessary depending how you plan on using it.

Scratch · **Posted:** Thu Jun 05, 2008 2:13 pm

Jeepman56 wrote:

What would it take to convert the 12 volt "cigarette lighter" outlet in the cargo bay, to a 120 volt "normal household style" outlet. Need a bigger alternator or battery? How about if I added one in front on a toggle?

Ummm... yeah... The difference isn't just voltage and the shape of the socket...

As stated - you need an inverter (and most plug into cig-sockets anyway). Depending on what you want it for - they can be had for as little as 30$.

Jeepman56 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:19 am

Scratch wrote:

Ummm... yeah... The difference isn't just voltage and the shape of the socket...

Wow, thanks for your contribution to the thread.

Moving on...

My friend's Pontiac Vibe has this style of outlet built in the console, I want something like that. I was attempting to find a more permanent alternative to buying a plug in inverter, if anyone has any ideas?

ihatemybike · **Posted:** Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:37 am

The Vibe has a built in inverter. With some fab work you could hard wire an inverter behind a panel and run wires to an outlet mounted elsewhere.

I'll been thinking about doing this in my van, but I want to get a bigger inverter first. Last MTB road trip we had 4 laptops in use, but could only plug two in at a time. I think it would be cool to have one outlet per row and a forth one in the back.

VTNomad · **Posted:** Fri Jun 13, 2008 12:56 pm

I was thinking about adding an inverted in the cargo area. I think the location of the bay for the factory 6-disc changer would be great, and an outlet could be located next to the power port giving you both AC and DC in the cargo area.

Do the newer (05+) models have a spot for the external CD changer? I'm not sure if they do or not since the development of an in-dash CD changer.

jerseykj · **Posted:** Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:58 pm

i put my plug just under the handel for the compartment in the center concel. the inverter itself sits under the driver seat.

KJ 119 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 14, 2008 12:38 am

Check out the "Fabrication" section under "Rear deck extension finished!" from Fulltimer
I posted some pictures of a good system for 120Vac

mrkake · **Posted:** Sat Jun 14, 2008 2:33 am

Quote:

Do the newer (05+) models have a spot for the external CD changer? I'm not sure if they do or not since the development of an in-dash CD changer.

My '06 has the place for the changer. It just has a cargo net type pocket there. I think that would be the perfect spot for the inverter and just use a shallow "old work" box secured into the panel for your outlet. My interior is gray and if I did that and put a gray face plate and outlet in the box it would almost look factory (I think). I don't know how difficult it is to remove that panel but you could make a fairly clean installation there.

Jeepman56 · **Posted:** Sun Jun 15, 2008 12:14 am

Cool, thanks for the input guys. I will post pics when I am finished.

Outlet conversion

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