How can I power a 550w 230v electric cable hoist from a pick-up truck. I have a ford pick-up truck and I baught an electric cable hoist, it is 230c 550w and comes with a 3pin plug attatched so I can be easily plugged into a socket outlet for use, I want to use it so that it is mounted to the back of my truck and do not want to have to use a generator, any ideas would be greatly appreciated folks

WHat country are you in?

If you are in a country that has 220v as a standard line voltage, there are inverters available you can put in your truck to convert 12 vdc to 220A/C that aren't all THAT exensive. I'd get a 1,500 watt unit or bigger. Most electric motors have a high initial surge current that means you have to oversize the inverter by a large margin for it to work.

Unless that's a US market unit that is split phase then I don't know of a solution.