Inverter Size - Schneider Guidelines

You want to Frye your trucks ecm or burn it to the ground with improper installation then go ic. Go rent your own equipment.

 

Investing in a fridge is a great start to starting in control over what your options of food are in your truck. You don't even need an inverter to power the fridge. You have a 12v option with some of these portable ones and it will do it's job without frying anything or becoming a problem.

 

unless the temps warrant it, idling is an issue here. Batteries wont cut it on a regular basis and still have power for light etc.... before the low voltage cutoff kicks in.

 

I run into this repeatedly. It's not normally an issue over your average 10 hour span, but any longer and the low voltage cutoff is prone to kick in.

 

I've never had to idle to keep mine running. You can always unplug it before bed and it will still keep everything inside cold. Either way, it's worth the $80 - 200

 

Who is it you drive for?

 

If you have good batteries, the fridge will run for several days with no issues. I used to leave mine running while I was off for 2 or 3 days. A 10 hour break in cold weather is also not an issue. The fridge I have is a Whynter, 45 quart or so. I also have an Engel 45. The Engel is more efficient, but also more expensive. It draws about 2.5 amps for a couple seconds at startup, then about 0.5 amp running. They sell new for over $700, but you can occasionally find them on CL. I wouldn't hesitate to buy used. The Whynter I bought was "used." Someone bought it to camp with, then sold it, unused, when it didn't fit their Jeep the way they wanted. I paid about $350 for it. Another brand to look for is ARB, both new and old versions. The old version is the same as my Engel. I have heard of people running theirs continuously for 15 to 20 years with no issues. Compare that with some of the thermoelectric coolers. I know someone who has replaced theirs twice in a year. Also, these are chest refrigerators. Mine sits on the floor behind the passenger seat, and takes all the space back to the bunk. The door is on top, so opening it doesn't spill the cold inside like the dorm fridge with its front door.

I use my Engel for camping out of my truck, and have no problems going a couple days. I also use a solor panel to help.

My last tractor had week batteries, so it wouldn't go a full break without tripping the LVD, but only if I used my computer and lights for several hours. It doesn't run continuously.

 

All SNI tractors purchased now come equipped with a 1500 watt power inverter installed from the factory.

 

I second the Engel and ARB coolers. I run both, one as a freezer and one as a fridge. They are widely known for being quality, long lasting, items. The reason for the high cost is the ultra low voltage compressors. I too have left mine on by mistake when taking a few days off. The truck still started though a bit slow on the crank. Anyways if anyone is considering a quality, long lasting fridge, spend the coin and go with either an Engle or an ARB unit. Mine have paid for themselves time and again over the last few years.

 

1500? I thought they were 1200? Either way I am not likely to see one of those trucks.

Mine only has 340K on it.