Talk About Inverters

Most companies now will not allow you to hard wire inverters. I think maybe because all the trucks now are mostly computer. Any little thing sets off the sensors, and a lot of the sensors now protect the truck by shutting it down. There are some companies that are using APU's though which have built in inverters. I would recommend just the cigarrette lighter ones. The are strong enough to power most stuff. TV, computers, rechargers etc...

 

There are different sizes and type's of inverters, these are the 4 ways they can be installed:


1. Hard wired to the battery- Theres no clamps or anything just a NEG and POS wire just like the ones that connect the batteries to the truck.

2. Clamps to the battery- They've got clamps like jumper cables

3. Alligator Clips- You can connect through the fuse box inside the truck

4. Cigarette Lighter- Obviously it goes into the Cigarette lighter socket

Companies make a big deal about Inverters because if they are not installed properly they can cause a truck fire. Inverters that go through the fuse box or in the Cig lighter can blow fuses. Inverters in general can and do run the battery's down, and for drivers that don't carry jumper cables that means the company now has to pay for road service to come jump you.





American Trucker

 

How is direct wiring different from clamping? Wouldn't the results be the same or is there something about hardwiring that is more likely to be a problem for the truck's computer. What about a 400W inverter clamped to the battery cables? Still a problem?

 

Clamping you don't leave on, you would connect it when you park and disconnect it before you go to sleep or start to drive again. These inverters are usually smaller wattage wise then the Direct wired ones.

Direct wiring is permanent. Other then The size difference there pretty much the same.


I've never heard anything about inverters affecting the computers on trucks until Chompi's post.......


Well I don't think swift would approve as per there NO inverter policy, but because a clamp on one is easily removed It would work great for you. Just remember to take it out or hide it very well before brining the truck in for service.

If all you want is 400 Watts you could probably just get a Cig lighter one, that way you don't have to get out to connect/disconnect it.




American Trucker

 

Okay, now for the rest of the story. I bought a 400W inverter that can be plugged into the lighter or clamped. I plugged it into the lighter, light comes on, but it won't run anything....not even my laptop. I've been using a 100W for that. I'm really in the dark about electromotwicity. Hep me!!!!

 

I have a 1500watt hard wired to a 2009 Cascadia, never had a issue with any computer/sensor problems.
It also has a low voltage disconnect on it along with a circuit breaker.
Have had no problems, but always make sure I shut it down when parking as its mainly for microwave.
I also have a 400 watt thats runs the TV also on a low voltage disconnect....

Our company truck they do not allow and hard wired inverters, and I believe most companys are the same.

 

Did you try clamping it just to check it? Could be a bad inverter....
Also my 400 watt has a internal fuse in the back ot it. Just a thought.

 

I agree with SLCTrucker, try clamping and check the fuse to see if you might have gotten a bad inverter or just need a fuse.




American Trucker