Inverter Question

Discussion in 'Maverick' started by GoodDawg, May 15, 2013.

  1. GoodDawg

    GoodDawg Light Load Member

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    Mar 22, 2013
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    My trainer mentioned that he doesn't like to have it switched on while driving. He started to explain why but we got sidetracked and I never brought it up again. Is there a reason why having it off is a good practice?

    Thanks!
     
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  3. seawheeler

    seawheeler Heavy Load Member

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    Jan 14, 2011
    Central, IL
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    I keep mine on all the time. ?
     
  4. hesgoneagain

    hesgoneagain Medium Load Member

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    Nov 16, 2011
    Denton, North Carolina
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    Ours is on all the time
     
  5. Danfromwindsor

    Danfromwindsor Road Train Member

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    Missouri
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    Id imagine its just a precaution. Inverters were once known to burn trucks down randomly. Although "randomly" usually involved a overloaded or not taken care of inverter. Other than that I dont see any reason.
     
  6. CDL1968

    CDL1968 Medium Load Member

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    Sep 27, 2012
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    This is true but I shut mine off whenever I'm not using because I'm cheap. Inverters are machines and machines break. The less you use it the loner it should last, lol.
     
  7. CaptainX3

    CaptainX3 Road Train Member

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    Nov 10, 2011
    Fort Worth, TX
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    LOL yeah, and in theory, everything works.

    In theory.

    I keep mine on all the time, although the one in this truck is different than in my old truck, and I actually have to restart it manually after I turn the power off for home time. And now I know why this truck has so many differences from my old one... Even though its number 12913, it's a 2011 model, made in 05/11 according to the sticker. So that's one mystery solved,
     
  8. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    Tennessee
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    If you have it, use it. It's not like a mechanical device that is exposed to friction or you have an electric bill to pay. I always left mine on 24/7 because it powered my fridge. The only time I turned it off was on home time.

    Most inverters have a low and high voltage shutdown. The #1 reason for them causing a truck fire is not the inverter but a poor hole penetration where they run the hot feed to the battery through the floor or they used too small of a cable or too long of a cable run. All the vibration over time and the cable insulation wears off resulting in a direct short. It's very important that hole is protected with a rubber grommet and if necessary some silicone. They now sell inverter fuses that you install on the hot cable in between the inverter and battery that protects that. It's highly recommended drivers spend the few extra bucks and buy that. Cables should be the same size as the mount hole on the inverter and kept under 4' if possible. The shorter the better. Then use short extension cords coming out of it if necessary.
     
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