Battery is under passenger side door. What is the battery used for? Is it possible to run an inverter off this battery and power items inside the vehicle when camping/engine not running??

Thanks in advance.

 

You can run an inverter off of any 12 volt battery as long as you don't excede the capacity of the battery. There are things to consider though such as how much you take from the battery , the capacity of the battery an how long you take it. There is such a thing as power loss and that adds up to how much you pull out versus how much you put in. If it is a small load and you run the engine while taking power you might be able to do it and still have enough power left in the battery to start the engine. You are limited by how much the charging system can put out and how much you take out. There are better ways to probably get what you are looking for and that could include a deep cycle battery used just for the inverter supplying your needs.That way you should always be able to start the vehicle and recharge the addl battery. Depending on just what you want to run and for how long , different combinations could probably cover your needs, again depending on what you want to run.

 

Thanks! I was planning on getting a deep cycle battery but then I found this axillary battery which comes stock on the vehicle.. it is mounted to the frame. Is this battery used to start the vehicle? I have a 5.4l v8. I'm not really sure what this battery is used for and obviously don't want to drain it by running an inverted if this battery starts the vehicle.

Thanks in advance

 

Some vehicles that were expected to have an unusual amount of electrical fixtures were provided with a provision for a second battery, ie ambulance, camper etc.
Best if you had an experienced tech check the set-up and explain how it is supposed to work. You may already have what you are looking for and it would be worth your while to have someone familiar with your set-up explain just what is there.

 

Nolan -- That battery was PROBABLY for a wheelchair lift setup for the side door. I just removed a lift from my rear door area & the battery for it was mounted on the driver's side under the floor.

 

Nolan, How did this all turn out for you? I have the same question about my 98' E350 passenger van. I also am trying to find a free or reasonably priced resource for finding the manufacturers repair manual as well. Any advise is much appreciated.

 

Darren:
In theory, you could run an inverter off that battery, but it's location would make it very inconvenient. I am building a wooden box for the floor just inside the left rear door to hold 2 - deep cycle 12volt batteries that will be connected to an inverter (for 110v) and a fuse block (for 12v) that will be powered by 2 - flexible 160watt solar panels on the roof through an MPPT Solar Controller (30 amp). This will power my 12volt fridge, 1-12volt water pump (to feed my sluice), the interior and exterior LED lighting, and 110 volt electronics (HP Laptop). I will bring a 1850watt Honda gas generator to run a 5000 BTU A/C unit or a 700 watt Microwave when needed.