If you find yourself in the market for a new pickup truck, and you have more than a passing interest in off-grid power, then you HAVE TO check out what the wizards over at Ford Motor company have been cooking up in the 2021 F-150.
Like many other auto makers, the gasoline powered models have optional built-in AC inverters, but these are notoriously underwhelming, typically topping out at a few hundred watts or so.
Ford put the competition on notice and grabbed my attention with the introduction of their 7.2kW system available on the F-150 hybrid. This is a big step up from the rest.
It draws first from the battery before firing up the engine. But unlike the lesser versions, it offers four 120-volt, 20-amp outlets and one twist-lock NEMA L6-20 240-volt, 30-amp outlet and can provide up to 7,200 watts of electricity. For reference, that about double the power available on typical RVs.
I can think of all kinds of off grid uses for that power plant, starting with running amateur radios on field day, and powering my house when grid power is out. The fact that its unparalleled in its mobility and ability to carry the stuff I want to power makes the new F-150 a dream truck.
I’ll need to start saving my pennies.
