4 new batteries and an inverter problems?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Dkenos, Oct 31, 2024.

  1. Dkenos

    Dkenos Bobtail Member

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    I came back to my truck, and used the kilowatt like you suggested. The amp reading was either 1.5 or 15 while playing a game. It was hard to see the screens decimal point.

    My 1000 W inverter also has a voltmeter installed into it, and even though I only had my Internet modem plugged into it, this too started to lower in voltage. Which engine on, it was at 13.9V, but when the engine went off, it went down to 12.7V. the voltmeter kept decreasing until two hours later, it reached 12.2 V and the alarm went off in my 2000W inverter.

    I would also mention, that since I came back from home time, whenever I start my inverter in the morning (or when I turned it on immediately after flipping the kill switch back on on Wednesday), Instead of a blinking green like and repeated beeps, the blinking light is more pee-yellow and it does one huge flatline beep.

    I hope this info helps diagnose the problem
     
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  3. Deezl Smoke

    Deezl Smoke Medium Load Member

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    Hillsboro Oregon
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    I guaranty it's 1.5, which roughly coincides with the nitro 17 power draw I see when googling for it.

    Most group 31 batteries will be about 100 amp/hour batteries. If you have 4 of them, that 400 amp hours. This means in general you can draw 1 amp for 400 hours, or 10 amps for 40 hours, or.....100 amps for 4 hours.
    Your company tech needs to look at the TA installation.
     
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  4. Dkenos

    Dkenos Bobtail Member

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    I am omw to the company yard in salt lake Utah and should arrive by Thursday afternoon.

    I am convinced there is something wrong either with the inverter or the power draw of my laptop. I turned the inverter on after 6 hours of driving, and as soon as I turned on my laptop, it started to beep and then did a flatline beep. It even beeped when I turned the engine on. Again, the only things that are drawing power is my laptop, and my Internet modem connected to the 150 w inverter that seems to draw only 0.2V. I don't think this is enough to cause the bigger inverter to act this way, right? And if the batteries are new, would a faulty connection be responsible? And on a more concerning note: should I be worried that the truck will shut down before I make it to my destination?
     
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  5. Deezl Smoke

    Deezl Smoke Medium Load Member

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    Feb 12, 2011
    Hillsboro Oregon
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    I'm not there, but you give no signs that the truck is in jeopardy, so....
    There's usually more to a high watt inverter hook up than just battery pos and neg. But this is up to your company tech to look at and make sure TA didn't put a wire in the wrong place etc.
    In an earlier reply, it was mentioned that you may have underlying alternator issues. This is a very good possibility. Again, your tech will look into it.
    And yes, a loose or compromised connection at the batteries or other high amp draw locations, can cause all sorts of intermittent and frustrating issues.
     
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  6. Dkenos

    Dkenos Bobtail Member

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    Upon reaching the company yard, the mechanics told me that the cause of the problem was that the inverter was firmly connected to the batteries. However, they also tell me that there was nothing they can do about how quick the batteries drain because they can't hold a long charge in the winter. Wondering if this last part is true.

    Note: the kind of drain I mean is that my mini inverter voltmeter goes from 13.9 to 12.1 in about an hour in below freezing.
     
    Last edited: Nov 16, 2024
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  7. Deezl Smoke

    Deezl Smoke Medium Load Member

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    Hillsboro Oregon
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    That's bs. In other words, TA put the cheapest junk batteries in possible, maybe because they were told to by your company. "?" Modern batteries take cold very well. That's not to say that 20 below zero F wont or can't cause the batteries to reduce their output, but decent batteries today can take very cold temps and do quite well. There are still a lot of very old myths about batteries that continue to be held and perpetuated. Many years ago, it was said that batteries would loose charge if set on concrete or soil for lengths of time, so one would always set the batteries on a block of wood. A lot of old people my age still continue to use that old myth. Of course several of them also still believe that parking under a power line will drain your batteries, so...o_O Basically TA installed, likely because they were told to so not pointing fingers of disdain, cheap cold cranking batteries. The originals, likely were still in when you played for 6 hours, were much higher quality batteries with driver comfort more in mind. Those batteries would be able to hold a charge much better for longer periods of time.
    Probably in your situation, having company rules to follow, you're going to be best off buying your own either small inverter generator, or power supply that you can charge while driving. The batteries installed in the truck will stay there until they fail, and likely be replaced again with the least expensive set available. So, now ya know where you stand.
     
  8. Dkenos

    Dkenos Bobtail Member

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    Oh, I do. Thank you for telling me. I didn't mention this, but I also use the inverter for a CPAP machine when not using the laptop. This means I have been going days barely using it because I had to recharge them by having the engine run for like an hour. So now, I'm going to contact HR. Remind them that I'm using it at night and that it will be very bad for them if I died because of cheap ### batteries
     
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  9. Deezl Smoke

    Deezl Smoke Medium Load Member

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    Feb 12, 2011
    Hillsboro Oregon
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    On a truck that new, I wonder if they can set it up to auto start the truck when the batteries reach a certain level. ? My Pete with the smart air apu does.
     
  10. kah68

    kah68 Bobtail Member

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    I would consider building or buying a small ' house system ' and run independent of the truck. BLUETTI AC180P Solar Portable Power Station | 1,800W 1,440Wh

    You could charge/run your devices on the truck inverter while it's running then switch to your house system after shutdown for the night saving your cranking batts.
     
    Last edited: Nov 18, 2024
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