cooking in the truck

Odd, I would expect that an APU would be able to supply at least 1500W at 120V A/C.

I'm not sure how his truck is set up, but it's possible that the APU only powers the climate control (A/C compressor and APU engine waste heat), along with a 12V alternator, and the 120V power is supplied by a 12V inverter that isn't up to the task of handling the load that he's presenting it with.

I don't have an APU, but I do have a 1500W Road Pro inverter. The alternator in my truck won't supply 1500W, so if I'm drawing that much then I'm operating on a deficit and using the batteries to make up the difference.

My inverter supplies a 'modified sine wave' A/C output, like most low cost inverters on the market. When you attach what's known as a 'switching power supply' to that type of inverter, it can cause problems. Most power supplies such as the ones that connect to laptop computers or printers are of this type. Inverters monitor their own power output to make sure that they're not overloaded, and will limit their output to ensure that an overload won't damage their circuits. Some of these switching power supplies can interfere with the power monitors of the inverters, causing them to limit their output when it's not needed.

In my case, the power supply for my HP DeskJet printer will interfere with my inverter when my microwave is running, causing the microwave to operate incorrectly (not heat the food, despite appearing to be running). If I unplug the printer, then the microwave works fine.

Food for thought (no pun intended)

 

Thanks for your help with this, Wind

There's no inverter (yet). He said that when he tried to use the microwave off the APU, it shut off right after he turned it on. So he turned off everything else -- the 12-volt stuff I'm guessing -- and tried again. Says it shut off right away anyhow.

I'm now wondering a couple of things ...

1) Do you think it might work off the APU all right if he cranked the truck up while trying to use the microwave? I suggested that to him, but he never does anything I try to tell him to do!

2) Maybe the microwave is defective? It's brandy-new, right out of the box. He took it right to the truck after I brought it home, so I never had the chance to test-drive it before sending him down the road with it.

I do apologize for sounding ignorant about this stuff, but I'm a complete newbie to OTR trucking!

 

I doubt it says that .. Sounds like more crap someone pulled out there ###

 

Well, it would help to know where the 120V AC is coming from. and what the AC source is rated for. That would be the first step.

 

Yes, that does sound like a reasonable place to start. Whaddya wanna bet he don't know, either?

 

The frig that is pictured above goes bad in about 1 year. Once you insert it into the opening behind the driver's seat the motor cannot get enough air to keep the motor from over heating and eventually will stop running. You can prevent this by gently blowing out the motor with air. It will still have to be replaced but will buy you more life of the frig. They can be expensive.

 

What do Cheater Bars do? Never heard of one.
Thanks

 

It will help to run the truck when he is running the microwave to help keep the amps up when using it. Also what wattag was the microwave. The higher wattage 1100-1300 watt ovens may not work, he needs one that is about the 700 watt style. It takes a little longer to cook with is all like in the old days.

 

What is this in reference too. A cheater bar I guess can be many things esp when using tools, like a wrench when you need more leverage to loosen pipes or nuts, it would be a long pipe you insert in the wrench to help give more uumph to break it open. It can also be used as a weapon if someone comes in your truck.

 

Why they break up marriages-and we have many of those around here.