Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

Inverter Issues

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by AArtemtrk, Sep 9, 2020.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Sep 9, 2020 #1
    AArtemtrk

    AArtemtrk Light Load Member

    56
    59
    May 18, 2019
    0
    I know this isn’t really a “mechanical issue” but I was wondering if anyone had experience with the power drive inverters. Mines a 2000 watt unit however it will not run my portable A/C unit with is rated at 860 watts. The fan will run but once the compressor tries to kick in it shuts off. It worked fine on a 2200 watt inverter generator, so I’m wondering why my inverter won’t run it. I only have 2 cables running to the inverter and there are 4 posts, 2 on each side, do I need cables to all posts for full output? Or perhaps cable gauge is too narrow? I’m thinking that the surge rating on this A/C unit might be much higher than the 860 watts it advertises as well. I want to try everything before I bite the bullet and buy a bigger inverter. Thanks in advance!
     
    AArtemtrk, Sep 9, 2020
    AArtemtrk, Sep 9, 2020
    #1
    truckdriver31 Thanks this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Sep 9, 2020 #2
    Goodysnap

    Goodysnap Road Train Member

    3,749
    9,121
    Jul 12, 2017
    0
    I would invest in a meter so you can see your peak wattage when the compressor kicks in. Then it should be easy to tell if the inverter is lacking or if the AC unit is spiking over wattage. Installing a voltmeter on the DC cables you should see the voltage drop low if its an input issue.
     
    Goodysnap, Sep 9, 2020
    Goodysnap, Sep 9, 2020
    #2
    spsauerland, Rideandrepair, AArtemtrk and 1 other person Thank this.
  4. Sep 9, 2020 #3
    Razorwyr

    Razorwyr Road Train Member

    2,284
    2,824
    Jul 27, 2010
    Meridian, Mississippi
    0
    It definitely depends on the peak wattage, but the generator probably produced a better quality electricity than the inverter is doing. So while they may be technically rated at or near the same wattage, the generator would likely be able to handle the initial burst and continue high pull of the compressor a little better.
     
    Razorwyr, Sep 9, 2020
    Razorwyr, Sep 9, 2020
    #3
    spsauerland, Rideandrepair, AArtemtrk and 1 other person Thank this.
  5. Sep 9, 2020 #4
    AArtemtrk

    AArtemtrk Light Load Member

    56
    59
    May 18, 2019
    0
    Where does the meter get installed? On the DC positive cable? Can they be found at most truck parts suppliers? You would think that 2000w would be plenty considering that most household plugs are only what 15 amps. So 110 X 15 would be 1650 watts. I appreciate all the ideas!
     
    AArtemtrk, Sep 9, 2020
    AArtemtrk, Sep 9, 2020
    #4
    Rideandrepair and truckdriver31 Thank this.
  7. Sep 9, 2020 #5
    Goodysnap

    Goodysnap Road Train Member

    3,749
    9,121
    Jul 12, 2017
    0
    Screenshot_20200909-093435_Samsung Internet.jpg
     
    Goodysnap, Sep 9, 2020
    Goodysnap, Sep 9, 2020
    #5
    spsauerland, Rideandrepair, AArtemtrk and 1 other person Thank this.
  8. Sep 9, 2020 #6
    Razorwyr

    Razorwyr Road Train Member

    2,284
    2,824
    Jul 27, 2010
    Meridian, Mississippi
    0
    Thats also 1650 watts of pure sine wave, not 1650 watts of modified sine wave electricity. I'm not sure what inverter you have, but most people don't spend the extra money to get a pure sine wave inverter. It does make a difference.
     
    Razorwyr, Sep 9, 2020
    Razorwyr, Sep 9, 2020
    #6
    spsauerland, Rideandrepair, truckdriver31 and 1 other person Thank this.
  9. Sep 9, 2020 #7
    truckdriver31

    truckdriver31 Road Train Member

    6,998
    8,360
    Sep 18, 2013
    0
    you dont go by watts. you go by amps. you must use this formula. 117v x amps= watts. all ac compressors have start up amps and then go to running amps. look at that ul sticker on ac unit. but inverters and generators are like credit limit ratio. u really cant use but so much of the 2,000 watts. even if the house hold power is 120volts. use still dont use more then 117volts. a 20 amp breaker can hold 20 amps or it trips.
     
    truckdriver31, Sep 9, 2020
    truckdriver31, Sep 9, 2020
    #7
    Rideandrepair and AArtemtrk Thank this.
  10. Sep 9, 2020 #8
    AArtemtrk

    AArtemtrk Light Load Member

    56
    59
    May 18, 2019
    0
    Thanks a bunch! I’ll pick up a meter and plug it into a proper outlet and see what it spikes too. I don’t think it’s a pure sine wave, it came with another truck I bought so I know nothing about it. Does look pretty cheap though!
     
    AArtemtrk, Sep 9, 2020
    AArtemtrk, Sep 9, 2020
    #8
    Rideandrepair, Goodysnap and truckdriver31 Thank this.
  11. Sep 9, 2020 #9
    AArtemtrk

    AArtemtrk Light Load Member

    56
    59
    May 18, 2019
    0
    D83EDC8B-0202-4427-BA76-06C653A8F9A1.jpeg Even going by amps I’m way under! However that is probably running not start up.
     
    AArtemtrk, Sep 9, 2020
    AArtemtrk, Sep 9, 2020
    #9
    Rideandrepair and truckdriver31 Thank this.
  12. Sep 9, 2020 #10
    truckdriver31

    truckdriver31 Road Train Member

    6,998
    8,360
    Sep 18, 2013
    0
    dont waste your money on the meter. look at that sticker
     
    truckdriver31, Sep 9, 2020
    truckdriver31, Sep 9, 2020
    #10
    Rideandrepair and AArtemtrk Thank this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

    • Page 1 of 2