INSTALLING A POWER INVERTER (Pictures)

I bought a power inverter at loves that came with very short cables. Where can i get 10 foot cables for a freightliner cascadia????

 

What is your inverter rated at?

 

1500 watts

 

found this in a book...

These days, most drivers, especially OTR drivers, need 120v A/C power for running things like laptops, refrigerators, microwaves, etc. The device you need to give you household outlet type power is an inverter. There are 2 types of inverters on the market, and although they both provide power in the form of household outlets, the power provided by each is very different. The 2 types are either 'Modified Sinewave', or 'Pure Sinewave'. Modified Sinewave inverters are what you find in all the truck stops. They are more popular because they are much cheaper to make and therefore cheaper to buy, and they use less power from your truck batteries. Like anything else cheap, they have serious downsides. That power running through the outlet, and into your expensive laptop is very nasty and noisy. This nasty power has been known to burn out laptop power supplies, cell phone chargers, microwaves, and anything else not designed to be run by this type of power. It is also quite common for them to shorten the reception range of your AM/FM and/or CB radio because of the extra static they produce. It is also not legal to use this type of power for running medical equipment, like a breathing machine, for obvious reasons. If you plan on owning your truck for a long time and need good power, spend the extra money for a Pure Sinewave inverter. Xantrex and Tripp-Lite make really good quality pure Sinewave inverters. Tripp-lite is a common brand of inverter used in ambulances, where the power provided absolutely needs to be pure and reliable. They also make inverter/UPS units, when plugged into a wall outlet, will actually work in reverse to put power back into your truck batteries, not only re-charging them, but conditioning them to make them stronger, extending their lifespan. Inverters are great to have on a truck, but be very careful about how they are installed. The nicer ones require lots of power, heavy wiring, and big fuses. If installed incorrectly, they can catch fire and burn your truck down. RV shops have the most experience with in inverters, and are usually the better choice if you are going to have one inspected and/or installed.

 

So, with that we can do some simple math to determine current draw.

1500 watts / 12 volts = 125 Amps.

With a 6 foot run, you should be using 4 gauge wire.

You can use this: http://www.powerwerx.com/adapter-cables/design-build-your-own-custom-cable.asp to make your own wiring assembly. Note: You should REALLY CONSIDER FUSING/BREAKERING THIS. Powerwerx also has circuit breakers: http://www.powerwerx.com/fuses-circuit-protection/resettable-circuit-breaker-cooper-bussmann.html

 

I will go one step farther:

FUSE IT. PERIOD.

 

I installed a cobra 2500 watt inverter with 2sets of 2200 watt cable from TA.

After 6-8 hrs my batteries are down to 11.8 volts when inverters off?

I have 3 batteries. One was replaced last month, and other 2 were good. Any ideas?

I have both positive cables hooked to same terminal and same neg hooked to same neg terminal.

Thanks,

 

You are starting with a disadvantage of only having 3 batteries instead of 4. Replacing 1 battery is not usually a good idea, as the new battery then is over worked and drug down to the condition of the other older batteries. If one goes bad it is best to replace them all. What else is drawing power when the truck is off? (Cooler, etc.?)

 

Yep,Three batteries is not the best setup but if the inverter is off and still going dead then something is not right.
I have not read all the post but you did use a fuse at the battery end of the install wires?
Something is drawing power somewhere....

 

I don't have a fuse,

Just 2200 watt wires from Batteries to inverter the truck is an Expediter. Im guessing smaller Charing/ Alternator.

Took it to Petro, after 2 hrs the kid had no idea.


Guess time to take it to Freightliner.