Talk About Inverters

Had a 2500w inverter hard wired in my truck to run microwave, computer, printer, tv, satellite sys, etc. Never had any problems with any electronics on the truck. Companies don't like hard wired inverters because of the possibility of shorting the computer on the engine (which can happen if you don't know what you're doing) or other major electronics on the truck which means mega bucks.

My advantage, I owned the truck so if I broke it, I paid for it.

 

I'll probably wait until the cover of darkness before I do that deed. Also, I don't see a fuse. There's a little light by the "power" light that comes on briefly as soon as I turn it on.

 

Right now I'm using the 100W for the laptop and for cell phone charging. I'm going to read the info that came with the inverter again. I'm pretty certain it said something about the limitation (150W) through a cig lighter.

 

I run a Hard wired, 2200 watt with 3000 boost watts, With my Fridge running all 34 hours of my down time, it don't even run my batt. down enough to cause any problems. You hard wire them to the post that are not running the ECM. If your truck has extra post on it to run to like mine does. I run a cook top and all off of mine. Even a Microwave. Works great.

 

Companies don't want you installing big inverters because of poor installations.

The biggest problem is hole penetrations for the power cables. You can't just drill a hole and run the wires. You have to protect the hole with a rubber grommet or silicone. This keeps the wires from rubbing against chassis ground and causing the insulation to be rubbed off the cables, ending in a dead short and posssible fire. I have seen two trucks burn down this way.

Another big inverter 101 is you want the feed cables under 6 foot in length. Preferrably 4 foot. This prevents a voltage drop and power surges feeding the inverter. You can run extension cords all you want to the plug ins. Try to use 6-10 footers.

Microwaves require about twice the wattage for capacitor start. So a 700-800 watt microwave needs about a 1500 watt inverter.
TV's and fridges draw little.
Coffee makers draw alot. I have a nice 1 cupper that wouldn't work on 800 watts. I never tried it again since I went to a 2500 watt inverter. It draws more than a regular coffee maker though.

 

I think you and the manufacturer have the same idea. The cables provided with the unit are 30" long max!

 

how long can you typically run off an inverter before you kill the batteries? i know it depends on what all you run, but in my case its like fridge, and laptop is pretty much always on if im awake, and on the long stops probably some tv and playstation going on. i do read books and #### but i likes me some electronic entertainments.

on a 34 or other long stop do you ever have to idle a few to charge up the batteries, or just check your volts from time to time? or will your powered items give you a hint when your low, and if so will there be enough juice to start the truck and let it charge?

 

What are the differences between the brand of inverters. In truck stops I've seen some yellow kind(I think in Loves) that have the 1500 for the price Cobra is asking for a 2500 watt. Is Cobra really that much better or are you paying for the brand name?

 

I have an 800 watt that I clip to the battery posts. But I want a 1500+ one so I can run a microwave and other things. I just don't want to get something that is poor quality.