High Voltage Power Outlet (HVPO): The Factory Inverter System
High Voltage Power Outlet (HVPO): The Factory Inverter System
Installation routing, clearance requirements, IP66k-rated housing, grounding specifications, and the six-test validation protocol for the Chassis Cab's built-in power conversion system.
The Grenadier Chassis Cab ships with everything you need for onboard power conversion, but it arrives in a bag in the left footwell, not installed. That's deliberate. The HVPO system is straightforward once you understand the physical constraints, electrical validation pathway, and installation sequence — but there's zero margin for improvisation.
The Hardware You're Getting
INEOS supplies the HVPO harness pre-assembled, ready to terminate. The exterior harness isn't fitted; instead, you'll find a blanking grommet sealed into the Body-In-White. Your job: pull the cable through, establish proper grounding, and secure the socket flush to your chosen surface.
Cable length is fixed: 1.7 metres from the earth fixation point. That's your constraint.
The socket must sit flush with whatever surface you choose — no proud edges, no gaps. Around the socket, maintain a 30mm clearance boundary in all directions. The socket must be mounted vertically or at a negative inclination (tilted downward), allowing water to escape.
Installation Specifications
- Cable routing: Right-hand side of vehicle only
- Cable length: 1.7m from earth fixation point
- Fuel line clearance: Minimum 150mm
- Socket clearance boundary: 30mm in all directions
- Socket orientation: Vertical or negative inclination
- Environmental rating: IP66k (with lid closed)
- Ground torque: 20.0 ±2 Nm
- Grounding: Bare metal on bare metal — do not splice with other loads
Load Capacity: What the HVPO Can and Cannot Run
The factory HVPO system on the standard Grenadier (not the Chassis Cab) provides a 230V AC outlet rated at 400W continuous. That number defines everything you can and can't plug in.
| Appliance | Typical Draw | HVPO Compatible? |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop charger | 60–100W | Yes — well within limits |
| Phone/tablet charging (multiple) | 20–60W total | Yes |
| LED work light | 30–100W | Yes |
| Portable 12V fridge (via AC adapter) | 40–80W | Yes — but better to run direct from 12V |
| CPAP machine | 30–60W | Yes — popular use case for overlanders |
| Starlink router | 50–75W | Yes — pairs well with a DVA Mechanics Starlink mount |
| Portable power station (charging) | 200–1,200W | Only if charge rate is limited to under 400W |
| Hair dryer | 1,000–1,800W | No — will trip the inverter immediately |
| Electric kettle | 1,500–2,000W | No — far exceeds capacity |
| Microwave | 700–1,200W | No — even a small microwave exceeds 400W |
| Power tools (drill, grinder) | 500–1,500W | No — startup surge alone will trip it |
| Induction cooktop | 1,000–2,000W | No |
The rule of thumb: if it heats, it's probably too much. Heating elements are the most power-hungry appliances. The HVPO is designed for electronics and low-draw devices, not resistive loads.
Startup Surge Warning
Many appliances draw 2–3x their rated wattage on startup. A device rated at 300W may surge to 600–900W when first plugged in. The HVPO's overcurrent protection will trip, and you'll need to cycle the overhead console switch to reset it. When in doubt, check the appliance's inrush current rating, not just its running wattage.
Common Installation Mistakes
Forum reports and dealer service logs reveal the same mistakes repeated across installations:
Mistakes That Will Cost You Time or Money
- Routing the cable on the left side: The cable must route on the right-hand side to reach the earth fixation point. Owners who route left run out of cable length and try to extend it — which voids the installation entirely.
- Splicing the ground with other accessories: The HVPO ground must be dedicated. Sharing a ground path with other loads introduces noise and can cause the inverter's earth leakage test to fail. One forum owner reported intermittent inverter shutdowns traced to a shared ground with an aftermarket fridge.
- Mounting the socket facing upward: The socket must be vertical or tilted downward. An upward-facing socket collects water, and even with the IP66k cap closed, repeated water pooling accelerates seal degradation.
- Skipping the six-point validation test: "It turned on, so it works" is not validation. Earth loop impedance and insulation resistance failures are invisible until something goes wrong — and "something wrong" with 230V AC means fire or electrocution risk.
- Not accounting for trim panel reinstallation: Owners budget time for the electrical work but forget they need to remove and replace C-pillar, entrance trim, and rear bulkhead panels. Forcing panels back over improperly routed cables creates pinch points that damage insulation over time.
- Using the HVPO while engine is off for extended periods: The inverter draws from the auxiliary battery. Without the engine running, you'll drain the auxiliary battery. Extended use at camp requires the engine running or an independent secondary battery system.
Water Ingress and Environmental Rating
The protective housing and cap are IP66k rated when the lid is closed. If you're mounting in a wet area — and you likely are — use the provided protective housing and cap.
To activate the inverter: flip the power switch in the overhead console.
Grounding Requirements
The cable must be installed on the right-hand side of the vehicle to reach the earth fixation point. Maintain minimum 150mm clearance between cable and fuel lines.
Grounding requires bare metal on bare metal contact. Do not splice the ground with other loads. The ground path must connect the chassis frame to any rear attachments. Torque spec: 20.0 ±2 Nm. Eyelet stacking is acceptable on ground studs.
Trim Panel Removal
Installation demands removal of multiple trim panels: C-pillar upper and lower, entrance trim, and rear bulkhead. Account for this in labour planning.
Validation Testing
Before the job is complete, six tests are mandatory:
| Test | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Polarity Test | Confirm correct positive/negative termination |
| Earth Continuity | Verify ground path integrity |
| Insulation Resistance | Check insulation between conductors |
| Earth Leakage | Measure current leaking to ground |
| Earth Loop Impedance | Verify fault loop for protection devices |
| Functional Test | Confirm operation under load |
If any test fails, the socket isn't live until it passes. This isn't bureaucracy — it's the difference between a working inverter and a fire hazard.
Real-World HVPO Usage: What You Can (and Can't) Run
The Grenadier's factory inverter is rated at 400W continuous — enough for laptops, phone chargers, camera equipment, and small kitchen appliances, but nowhere near enough for high-draw devices. Understanding the boundary prevents tripped circuits and frustration in the field.
Appliance Compatibility Guide
| Device | Typical Draw | HVPO Compatible? |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop charger (65W–100W) | 65–100W | Yes |
| CPAP machine | 30–60W | Yes |
| Drone charger (DJI Mavic series) | 60–100W | Yes |
| LED camp light string | 10–30W | Yes |
| Portable fridge (compressor type) | 40–60W running / 120W startup surge | Marginal — startup surge may trip |
| Electric kettle | 1000–1500W | No |
| Hair dryer | 1200–1800W | No |
| Portable power station (charging) | 200–1200W | No (unless unit limits input to <350W) |
| Induction cooktop | 1000–2000W | No |
The Engine-Running Requirement
A common surprise for new owners: the 230V/120V outlets only operate with the engine running. Unlike the 12V outlets (which can be toggled via the overhead console switch with the ignition off), the HVPO inverter requires the alternator to be charging. This is a deliberate design choice — running a 400W inverter from battery alone would drain the dual-battery system unacceptably fast.
What Owners Are Saying
"The 2x 230V sockets in my Grenadier — how do I get them to provide power? They only seem to work with the engine running."
— Grenadier owner on The INEOS Forum, August 2024
"I tried the power switch in the overhead console — the 12V in the back needs the switch flicked, but the 230V sockets just don't work without the engine running. That really is quite the bummer."
— Owner confirming engine-running requirement, The INEOS Forum
"I have a 1200 Watt power station in the back to run my fridge, recharge my GoPro, drone, and e-bike. To charge through the inverter outlet, the power station draws 1200 watts, so that's out."
— Grenadier owner discussing power station limits, The INEOS Forum, July 2025
Common Installation Mistakes
- Overloading the circuit: Running multiple devices that individually fit under 400W but collectively exceed it. The inverter doesn't share its 400W across outlets — it's a total system limit.
- Ignoring startup surge: Compressor-based devices (fridges, some power tools) draw 2–3× their rated wattage for the first 1–2 seconds. A 150W fridge with a 400W surge will trip the protection circuit.
- Wiring additional outlets to the inverter: Body builders sometimes try to extend the factory inverter to additional outlets. This voids the HVPO certification and can overload the inverter's internal wiring.
- Using the HVPO for continuous base-camp power: The engine must idle to run the inverter. For extended stationary use, a dedicated portable power station charged while driving is more efficient.
For owners needing more than 400W, the practical solution is a quality portable power station (charged via the 12V outlet while driving) combined with the HVPO for light loads. This keeps the factory system within spec while providing the capacity overlanders actually need.