I've bought a truck with TK APU with integrated 1800W inverter. It won't work with a printer. Can I replace it with 3000W inverter without burning my truck?
Inverter question on the TK APU and using a printer.
Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by me myself and I, Jan 17, 2025.
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What kind of printer do you have that pulls that much power? Can you run a microwave and/or other high draw items?
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The printer draws around 50W at stand by, yet it'll pop the fuse just for a second. I've tried a toaster and it worked fine. Printer works at home too. I think it's just a type of inverter that causes it.
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That said, a 1800W inverter should have no trouble powering any printer. -
You may want to determine what type it is first. Some electronics do not like modified sine wave power. Replacing the current one, and maybe upgrading to 2000 wats, with a pure sine wave inverter will most likely solve your problem. The plus side is it will be better for all electrical devices.
Here is an example of a good quality inverter
2000 WATT PURE SINE POWER INVERTER 12 VDC TO 120 VAC ETL LISTED -
Is it a laser printer? If so it has to do with the inrush current, I believe. I bigger inverter can solve it but it’s usually because the cables get upgraded at the same time. Get a cheap ups and it should help.
I have wondered if a cap for car audio would help with starting them? -
I've been using the cheapest laser printer I could find, a $100 Brother model, for 5 or more years now. I have a pure sine wave 2500w inverter. My inverter still gives me a low voltage beep when I power on the printer sometimes but it works.
OP, don't just throw a bigger inverter in your rig without proper wire size and fuses/breakers. -
YOU NEED A PURE SINE WAVE QUALITY INVERTER.
If you are going to replace it, then do it with a quality inverter, it isn't about size but quality that really matters.
You can get a good one that I have been using from Amazon, I use it here at the office, I put two dozen of them in trucks I own and I have had two failures. I will post the link later when I get home, I have it saved on the home computer.
If you want to really get a Aims inverter, it is one of the best and it has great customer service. -
More than likely you can just put bigger cables on the inverter you have
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