Battery Appliance Question

How big a drain on the batteries is a fan rated at .8 amp 9 volts? We run 2 CPAP machines already, so I need to know.

Someone? Anyone?

Most trucks have an amp meter. I drive a 2013 Peterbilt, and my company had to install an additional bank of batteries.

The thing to consider here, is how many amps will your system allow to be pulled at any given time without idling. In my case, my truck doesn't like more than 10amps being pulled. When I idle, (which is hopefully as little as possible) I can draw up to 13amps. How long can you draw a given amperage for an extended length of time, in our case a 10 hour break. (required by law). That is going to be a question I recommend you bounce off your shop guys. Ask one of the mechanics at your company shop or if your not with a company that has mechanics, then try asking either a maintenance person at the dealership of your make and model of your truck, or ask a mechanic at the nearest truck repair center. They may be able to help you better.

Good luck.

I would think that would be very little drain. I mean, .8 amps at 9 volts is only 7.2 watts. Compare that with your typical 60 watt light bulb and you're using very little energy. I would test it out by using them for a couple hours and then starting the truck. Then stretch it to a few more hours and start the truck. Make sure you're not seeing any appreciable loss in battery power.

Also, a lot of trucks nowadays have a failsafe mechanism that will disconnect the main power if the truck isn't running and the batteries are drained to a certain point so they won't go completely dead. You might want to find out if your truck has anything like that.

I would think that would be very little drain. I mean, .8 amps at 9 volts is only 7.2 watts. Compare that with your typical 60 watt light bulb and you're using very little energy. I would test it out by using them for a couple hours and then starting the truck. Then stretch it to a few more hours and start the truck. Make sure you're not seeing any appreciable loss in battery power.

Also, a lot of trucks nowadays have a failsafe mechanism that will disconnect the main power if the truck isn't running and the batteries are drained to a certain point so they won't go completely dead. You might want to find out if your truck has anything like that.

plus 1 on the failsafe system. my current truck has that in it..

I have a power inverter that runs on my 12v cig. lighter socket. With my xbox/tv plugged in, and running I can get about 6hrs of netflix/light gaming, otherwise I have to idle for a bit longer... The only time I do that though is when Im sitting around waiting for a del/pickup or stuck at a terminal. tends to happen. Now if im not playing but leave them plugged in and the inverter on, I can go all 10hrs with no start up issues. I try to turn it off, but sometimes I forget.