INSTALLING A POWER INVERTER (Pictures)

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by Pur48Ted, Mar 23, 2009.

  1. JakeyCakez

    JakeyCakez Bobtail Member

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    if it shorts on the battery side before the inverter and there's no fuse you're going to have a serious problem.

    if it shorts on the 120V side of the inverter you'll be replacing the inverter. the fuses they place in there are to prevent fires, not protect the equipment :eek:

    and to prevent the wire getting nicked from road debis you should use wire loom and electrical tape :3

    I used a grommet and siliconed the piss out of it.

    ...

    You can buy fuses as big (and bigger) than 100A

    series / parallel fusing does not work, and it looks like ####
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 24, 2009
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  3. Disturbed Canuck

    Disturbed Canuck Light Load Member

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    I've searched for inverter threads but I haven't yet found an answer to this particular question.

    I was hoping some one could tell me how best to mount a power inverter.

    In hopes of making sure the inverter was as close to the battery box as possible, I was going to drill a hole in the floor and mount the inverter under my bunk but it took just a few seconds before that "risk of fire in an enclosed space" thought came a pounding on my head. I'd rather not burn my truck down. I did just buy it after all.

    A 3,000 watt inverter tends to generate some heat eh?

    So what should I do? Should I drill through the bottom of the bed into the stowaway compartment and THEN through the floor to get to the battery box? This would place the inverter on the floor in my cab.

    Cheers
     
  4. Pur48Ted

    Pur48Ted Road Train Member

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    Grand Rapids, MI
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    I have mine mounted inside the driver's side storage box. Quick connect as pictured is just inside for quick access. I drilled a hole in the floor for the cables, using a 1in wood bit.

    My 3000w doesn't generate much heat at all, in fact it puts off far less heat than a 1200 or 1500 watt inverter. Every fire I have heard about usually involved an undersized inverter, or improper installation. That is why I purchased the bigger inverter.


    I have powered (at one time) a commercial floor sander when I refinished my trailer floor a few years ago.
    Now, I just have a coffee pot, TV sat receiver, assorted 120v accessories. I was thinking about getting a small fridge and microwave as well.
     
    Civilservant Thanks this.
  5. Disturbed Canuck

    Disturbed Canuck Light Load Member

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    What brand is that inverter you have roadkill? I can't see from the pictures. If I do get a 3000 watt, I just really want to make sure it doesn't start a fire that I don't see until it comes up through my bunk.

    Cheers
     
  6. Pur48Ted

    Pur48Ted Road Train Member

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    Grand Rapids, MI
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    I don't remember what make it is, I have had it about 10 years, but Cobra bought the company several years ago, so I would think a Cobra 3000w would be the same thing.....with normal technological improvements.
    If you are worried about a fire, get a CO and a smoke detector for your truck as well.
     
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2009
  7. Disturbed Canuck

    Disturbed Canuck Light Load Member

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    Oh right, I think you mentioned that company buy out thing earlier.

    Many thanks roadkill. This thread should be stickied or pinned or whatever the term around here is for that.

    Cheers
     
  8. Disturbed Canuck

    Disturbed Canuck Light Load Member

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    LMAO! And look at that...it is already. :biggrin_25517: I sure can be a fool sometimes.

    Cheers
     
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2009
  9. JakeyCakez

    JakeyCakez Bobtail Member

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    Just make sure you fuse both the DC (battery) and the AC sides with a fuse that will blow when the inverter reaches it's rated output.

    like if you have a 3kW inverter you'll use a 250A fuse connected to the battery and a 25A fuse connected to the AC side. assuming you don't plan on running your inverter to capacity..

    That way if the inverter screws up and shorts internally, the 250A will blow, and if something plugged into the inverter screws up and shorts, the 25A will blow first, protecting the inverter; because that electronic short circuit protection crap does not work :3
     
  10. noweyec

    noweyec Bobtail Member

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    I use similar cable and lugs often in my job. It looks like you did an excellent job in my opinion. ( for whatever it's worth) It might be worth covering the end of the exposed cable and round portion of the terminal lug with shrink tube. This will keep corrosion from working into the cable. This is a slow process but I have seen it. The installation of a circuit breaker or fuse would be nice. I would recommend a manual reset circuit breaker. Some have a test button which also makes a nice disconnect. I can recommend some if anyone is interested. Thanks for the informative post and pictures.
     
  11. Elvenhome21

    Elvenhome21 Heavy Load Member

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    Dont you run into a problem when your cranking your truck over and it gets stuck on that low voltage warning sound. Or do you shut the switch off when your starting your truck
     
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