Inverter Size - Schneider Guidelines

Will never understand why companies like Schneider won't install a good inverter.

It's such a simple thing yet for the driver the ability to use a microwave, coffee maker etc. is a huge thing.

I'd think a relatively small investment in a good inverter for every truck would pay for itself many times over when the cost of recruiting/training is factored in.

 

Will only allow what can be plugged in a 12v outlet. Above that requires hard wired which the shops wont do and SNI doesnt trust a driver or outside vendor to do it correctly. Add in the reasons a driver may need to change trucks in the course of their employment.

Been here not quite 4 yrs. On my 8th or 9th truck. Due to job changes within the compsny.

 

Total contruol

 

I've gotten a couple reasons...

They don't trust the drivers to use good judgement on what to use so you're not maxing out the inverter.

Wear and tear on the trucks is higher.

"Encourages" idling...

A logical reason? Depends upon if you drink the pumpkin koolaid.

(Does not include all reasons...just the ones I've gotten from higher ups.)

 

Don't Trust a driver I believe that is #1 reason.

 

Given some of the drivers I have met.....id raise a glass of pumpkin koolaid to that...

Not all of them, but it's just enough SNI drivers to make you wonder if natural selection has taken a very extended holiday.

I'll admit that I'm an amateur when it comes to electrical work..but common sense would dictate that if you're using an item that is going to draw more juice than a device can handle...you just don't do it.

Electric shaver -> 300w inverter = sure!

Microwave -> 300w inverter = GTFO!

 

With a good inverter, properly wired, the biggest risk is a blown fuse.

 

Tell that to Schneider… I'm sure you'll change it all for us with that little bit.

Most of us know that is the case, and Schneider probably knows that as well.

So, my second best guess is that they are thinking more about the fuel consumption from all of the drivers having to idle so they can use the device on their inverter.

 

They don't want to risk an electrical fire in the truck if the inverter is hooked up wrong. But all they have to do is have the inverters factory installed and they have a safety fuse that trips if the Watts are too high. Also informing the drivers during orientation about not hooking everything up to the inverter at the same time would help. But all of that cost money. They won't even put APU's in the trucks for the same reason.

 

Yeah, that makes sense. The numbers that are easily measured would show it to be a costly idea.

Personally I still think treating drivers better would pay off in the long term but there's a reason I only own one truck.