3000w inverter unknown problems?? Or APU or GENERATOR??

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by The Highway Hustler, Jun 25, 2019.

  1. The Highway Hustler

    The Highway Hustler Bobtail Member

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    I currently own a 2017 Freightliner Cascadia
    I have a 3000w inverter installed w/ 300amp inline fuse. Had a 1,500w with 200amp fuse but something went wrong and the #### alarm on it continuously stayed on even with nothing plugged up to it so I replaced it bumped it up to 3,000 w/e..

    Prior to the 3,000w inverter I had both a mini fridge and freezer about 700w a piece plugged up and same 700w microwave worked and ran perfect. Was even able to plug up additional stuff like a hot plate single eye electric burner at 1,000w. Yes I would unplug everything else just in case but preformed perfect. Even when I would sit and play PlayStation @ 75w and TV @ 50-75w while cooking either in skillet or crockpot @300w and rice cooker @ 75w ran perfectly.

    The new problem!!!

    Yes I bumped up my refrigerator to a 4.5 cubic feet same microwave @700w. NOW w/ REFRIGERATOR UNPLUGGED!!! Only the microwave plugged up if I run my microwave at 5 minutes or more the inline breaker (by PowerDrive) trips has to cool for 2-3 minutes before its able to be reset. I cannot run TV and PlayStation at same time w/ refrigerator plugged up. W/ refrigerator unplugged my hot plate sets off low power alarm my George Forman grill @ 1,500w sets off alarm. Rice cooker, crockpot, blender, works fine w/ refrigerator plugged up. It’s becoming frustrating obviously TA nor LOVES don’t even service inverters or give advice just pointless.

    I’m considering getting a generator or APU to solve the unknown problems. Which do y’all recommend is best?? Or can anyone please tell me what the hell I can do or should do or recommend??
     
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  3. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Are you running the truck when these inverters go into low voltage alarm mode?
     
  4. The Highway Hustler

    The Highway Hustler Bobtail Member

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    Yep
     
  5. The Highway Hustler

    The Highway Hustler Bobtail Member

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    That’s what has me even more confused because the power still alternating battery volts on dash doesn’t fluctuate to bad stays over 12 never drops any lower
     
  6. frito bandito

    frito bandito Light Load Member

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    What size of cable are you running to the battery? Pretty sure 3kw is going to take 0000 depending on how long the run is.
     
  7. Snailexpress

    Snailexpress Road Train Member

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    And all connections required periodic cleaning and tightening.
     
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  8. The Highway Hustler

    The Highway Hustler Bobtail Member

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    Good question that I don’t kno exactly. They are after market cables n relatively thick not the lil ones by Power Drive @ truck stop. I didn’t originally hook it up when I had the 1,500w inverter was same cables. Swapped inverters and inline fuse. If I had to take a educated guess they are less than a half inch n diameter..
     
  9. The Highway Hustler

    The Highway Hustler Bobtail Member

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    That I will consider and try again more throughly. I have cleaned around it as much as possible when I hooked up new inline fuse battery box area gets dirty and grimy..
     
  10. 86scotty

    86scotty Road Train Member

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    First, quit buying crap at truck stops. It's horrible quality and way overpriced. Get online and buy cables and ANL fuses from a decent supplier, or at least Amazon. Lots of cheap Chinese crap there too but not if you know what to look for. Then get a good resting voltage on your batteries and while you're at it clean up and tighten all contacts.

    How many batteries? If you don't have 4 I think you're risking trouble here. I have 4 with a 2500 PSW (pure sine wave) and always run the truck when I'm using a power hungry device like a microwave. My voltage never drops below 12.5 and rarely below 12.8 unless I'm cooking something slow. Here are a couple links of what you need at decent prices.

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019271I52/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017VBMHRO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
     
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  11. Tb0n3

    Tb0n3 Road Train Member

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    This, or corrosion causing high resistance. That's voltage drop from resistance right there.
     
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