Cascadia + Tripac + Xantrax Fleetpower problem

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by makterna, Jul 29, 2022.

  1. makterna

    makterna Light Load Member

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    Sep 14, 2021
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    I recently bought a 2011 Freightliner Cascadia SLP125 with high roof, Xantrex FleetPower FP1000 inverter, Tripac APU and the four standard Freightliner starter batteries (no extra bank is installed).

    My problem is that the Tripac (although it works, cools and heats) it does not charge the truck batteries when it runs. Is it not supposed to do that?

    There is an amber light on the instrument console saying ”120V” that comes on when the inverter is on. No mechanics that I talked to recognizes this light, my guess is they installed it when they installed the Tripac. This concerns me since amber is a warning color on the instrument cluster.

    What I tried:

    I have changed batteries and the Tripac alternator.

    I have inspected the 50A megafuse.

    My aux powernet distribution module has a firm red LED telling me it works ok.

    The inverter 120V outlets work when the truck engine runs and for as long as the batteries last.

    I tried the Sense pin on the Tripac controller fusebox (under the bunk), which is the pin that is telling the controller that the alternator is producing electricity, and there is 0V now (weird because there was 12V coming there the last time I tested). Guess next step is to follow that cable…

    Recently I learned from the Xantrex manual that you should not use the inverter with starter batteries that are measured in CCA, you need RV batteries that are measured in Ah. Hope this might help someone.

    Any ideas along the way..? Thanks in advance!
     
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  3. Anywhichwaybutloose

    Anywhichwaybutloose Light Load Member

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    Jun 24, 2017
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    Had a 2013 cascadia that had the 120v light on the dash. Would lite up when the inverter was on. Truck had the ability to have shore power hooked up as well.

    That sense wire might be connected to the dash switch to run the inverter.
     
    makterna Thanks this.
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