Tripac problems

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by redheels, Apr 7, 2013.

  1. redheels

    redheels Bobtail Member

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    Apr 7, 2013
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    Having problems with our Tripac apu. If we run the microwave it kicks in instantly. Sometimes the microwave will countdown normally, other times it will count down 10 seconds on the display in a 2 second period. It will not evenly cook food, and takes a lot longer than it should. Once the microwave has been used, the apu will kick on and off every twenty minutes until the truck is started once again. We do unplug the refrigerator while we use the microwave. Besides the microwave issue, the next problem is that if the Espar is turned on, the apu also kicks on about once an hour. Every time that it comes on, it kicks off the Espar, and you have to restart it. It does not take the time to cool down as it normally would when turning it off. On the plus side, if we are just sitting the apu doesn't kick in for over 24 hours, maintaining power to the refrigerator. We have had the batteries tested, and they show as being good, and we aren't sure what to look at next. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
     
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  3. Lone Wolf 1

    Lone Wolf 1 Light Load Member

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    Mar 6, 2013
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    Try a dyno check and go from there...good luck.
     
  4. TexasPhoenix

    TexasPhoenix Medium Load Member

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    Jul 16, 2009
    Wisconsin
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    Might need to look at the inverter since the microwave is running through it. When I'm using my Espar heater my APU will start up frequently. Did you just install this APU or did it come with a truck you just bought?
     
  5. SimD

    SimD Light Load Member

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    Dec 23, 2012
    dallas, tx
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    Remember microwave and the heater use a lot of amperage, when you got the batteries tested what load did they tested them at? did they all get tested together or each individual one? If they all got tested together get each individual battery tested
     
  6. MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

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    Feb 24, 2012
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    What's your low voltage setting on the APU. This is likely a setting you have to have checked by a tk dealer.

    It really sounds like a low voltage issue. That or an inverter. But more so a voltage issue.
     
  7. BigRed412709

    BigRed412709 Bobtail Member

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    Apr 8, 2013
    New Marshfield,OH
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    Please tell me you arent running the Microwave directly off of the Tripac Alternator without starting the truck.
     
  8. Hardlyevr

    Hardlyevr Road Train Member

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    Jul 30, 2009
    Mapleton Depot,PA
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    The standard TriPac alternator is only 65 amps, not enough to run even a 700w microwave. The start up wattage is sometimes significantly larger than the actual rating of the microwave. I run my main engine while microwaving, and with it on high idle too.
     
  9. redheels

    redheels Bobtail Member

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    Apr 7, 2013
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    Thanks y'all. Definitely found the microwave to be an issue, and will be replacing it.

    So, the next step will be when we are somewhere that isnt hot and humid, to test out things with the espar and new microwave.
     
  10. EZX1100

    EZX1100 Road Train Member

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    Aug 18, 2012
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    when i had an apu, i never ran the microwave without the truck running, i was told that was the wrong thing to do

    never questioned it, one way or the other
     
  11. redheels

    redheels Bobtail Member

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    Apr 7, 2013
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    Soory, I was viewing on my phone, and missed all of the previous posts.

    The apu was on the truck, but was installed last October, we got in it in February.
    It also has a xantrax (sp) inverter.
    The batteries were tested separately, and tested good.

    Again, thank you everyone for the help!!
     
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