I can't install an inverter, but still need power. Help?

you can get the cobra 800 watt and get a cigarette lighter plug from radioshack for $10. Did that and it ran my tv, dvd player, and laptop just fine. As for a microwave the smallest i`ve found will draw 850 at the highest setting....should work if you just run it at a lower setting. I`ve researched that wavebox thing too but the cheapest I`ve found it for is almost $200 and it wasn`t worth it to me at the time. Now I have an apu and a microwave inside and started rethinking maybe $200 wouldn`t have been a bad investment.

 

Every company has their own rules (from their insurance carrier, no doubt!) about inverters. My last two companies insisted that you can only have one if you let them do the install. They just want to make sure the truck or it's electrical system doesn't get fried. So ask them how big you can go, and if they want to put it in. That's easier than you having to do without or hide it away whenever the truck goes into the shop.

 

i ran everything you listed off of a harbor freight 400 watt inverter. With a freightliner you get a inverter power cord kit with medium sized alligater clips (small battercharger size gator clips) and run it along side the passenger side door frame to inside your fuse box on top of the dash. Hook your ground up to that silver aluminum piece on the A pillar and hook your positive up to the big lugs under the red cover, eith ISO or BAT lug. Iso if you want your inverter to kit out with the isolator or BAT for always on.

Not that I would ever do it in a company truck ever......cough cough.

 

No sir...none of us would even think of doing that....ever!

 

I got yelled at by my company for having one of those food warmer/cookers that they even sell in the COMPANY STORE. I was having major battery problems and needed to be jumped every morning and they blamed it on my cooker. I dont know about you but i dont ever use it while im stopped much less when the engine is off. Put the food in, start driving and stop driving unplug when its heated.

Glad my setup with the inverter only takes 30 seconds to undo and hide when i put it in for service.

 

I understand the company policy that if you want an aftermarket inverter that the company has to install it on the company truck. I have no problem with that. That way it's their liability on the insurance. But for a company to flat out say "NO INVERTERS PERIOD" is just ridiculous. That's the kind of company who treats their drivers with disdain. Like the drivers are an unpleasant part of the business that stands in the way of more profit.

 

Uhm, someone needs to think about electricity here...

You cant run more than about 200 watts off the ciggarette lighter. Even the 400 watt inverters do not claim they can run that much off it.

Look at the size of wires going to that cigarette lighter plus the size of the fuse in it. Come on. Even thinking about doing this is insane.

The wavebox costs $200. Thats ridiculous.

Anything on the catwalk can be struck by the trailer.

 

I have a cascadia and my fuse box is actually part of the cab SAM PDM, and is way up inside the dash, you have to use a screwdriver to remove the glove compartment to get in there, and .....I sure dont see any big battery terminals in there.

 

this is on a century, and prob a columbia

 

If you're going to get a microwave, one of the dial-type units are better... they don't draw as much power as the electronic-display units pull. Make sure your inverter will supply MORE power (Watts) than the microwave will draw. 100 - 200W more at least; more is better.