How many watts is your inverter when cooking food in your truck.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by xzmpt, Dec 19, 2024.

  1. xzmpt

    xzmpt Light Load Member

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    I am having problems with my inverter. My inverter is 1500 watts and is Cobra brand. I have a mini fridge plugged in from Walmart which is the HiSense 1.6 cu ft mini fridge from Walmart. The mini fridge was running fine. When I plugged in my mainstays single eye portable burner from Walmart. It ran for a bit then I heard static then it went off. How on earth do people run TV’s, microwaves, mini fridges AND cook food if I can’t even run just these 2 devices without having problems? What are my options?
     
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  3. Harry Flashman

    Harry Flashman Medium Load Member

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  4. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Some drivers go all out and carry a portable diesel generator. Keep it stored in the sidebox when not needed.
     
  5. Tb0n3

    Tb0n3 Road Train Member

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    There's a bit of a hint on the bottom of the cooker. They tell you directly how many watts it pulls. You can look at the back of the refrigerator and find the same. Do simple addition and you have how much power they draw together if it's more than 1500, then use one at a time. You can always just carry 1 lb propane cylinders and a propane stove to cook outside like a black stone. It may not be technically allowed but nobody ever checks.
     
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  6. wulfman75

    wulfman75 Road Train Member

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    I only use the microwave when the truck is on. I have an apu so it'll kick on when Im doing the other stuff.
     
  7. 77fib77

    77fib77 Road Train Member

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    I had a 2000 or 2500 harbor freight inverter. When I used my coffee maker, my fridge would be unplugged. If the fridge kicked on the inverter would kick of lf and no coffee. A 1500 watt probably good for 1150. They are always overrated.
     
  8. Antinomian

    Antinomian Road Train Member

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    Get a 2500 or 3000 watt inverter and get a good brand, not something from a truck stop. Make sure either the truck or an APU with a big alternator is running when you run a heavy load. And don't cheap out on the power cables for it.

    Here's the one I use: AIMS Power 3000 Watt / 6000 Watt Peak Pure Sine Power Inverter
     
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  9. 77fib77

    77fib77 Road Train Member

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    The other thing plus you need thick wires running to the batteries.
     
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  10. Tb0n3

    Tb0n3 Road Train Member

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    Make sure you run properly sized cable. 2,000W should have a 3/0 AWG power wire. Keep in mind that's 200 amps.
     
  11. wulfman75

    wulfman75 Road Train Member

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    Pure sine is the way to go!
     
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