What Is A Plug In Inverter?
Topic 7501 | Page 1
A "plug in inverter", typically plugs into a CIGARETTE LIGHTER PLUG. They are usually in the 100-400 watt range.
They are limited in wattage - as you can only run 20-30 amps out of a lighter adapter.
I would think if trucks have an APU - that they would also have an inverter of some kind.
Trucking companies typically do not allow you to do your own wiring. Some will hardwire higher capacity inverters for you - some won't. Without an APU - if you're not idling - you can run the batteries down (and then, obviously, the truck won't start).
Rick
DWI:
Driving While Intoxicated
APU:
Auxiliary Power Unit
On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.
Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.
A "plug in inverter", typically plugs into a CIGARETTE LIGHTER PLUG. They are usually in the 100-400 watt range.
They are limited in wattage - as you can only run 20-30 amps out of a lighter adapter.
I would think if trucks have an APU - that they would also have an inverter of some kind.
Trucking companies typically do not allow you to do your own wiring. Some will hardwire higher capacity inverters for you - some won't. Without an APU - if you're not idling - you can run the batteries down (and then, obviously, the truck won't start).
Rick
To add on to Ricks comments and hardwired inverters....
Im pretty sure they won't let you wire your own due to liability and safety issues.... Could cause electrical problems with the truck at best or at worst could fry something... or at worst worst, cause a fire, not to mention the risk of electrocution if not installed/grounded properly.
DWI:
Driving While Intoxicated
APU:
Auxiliary Power Unit
On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.
Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.
Rick nailed it. Quite a few companies will hard wire a larger converter (which you will have to purchase ) but they want their technicians at the terminal to do it as to not void any warranty from the manufacturer and to avoid improper installation.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Just to add to what everybody else has said, bear in mind that no matter what type of inverter you're using, it's drawing off the batteries, and unless you're running the APU or idling the truck, they will run down. Most newer trucks have a safety feature that disconnects power to auxiliary power sources (i.e. the 12-volt plugs in the sleeper) when battery voltage reaches a certain level to prevent the batteries from going completely flat, but they could still discharge far enough to make it difficult to start the truck, especially in cold weather. Also bear in mind that you're going to drain the batteries faster running things like your laptop or TV, or if you're microwaving a bunch of stuff.
APU:
Auxiliary Power Unit
On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.
Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.
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The trucking company I start at next week says that most of their trucks have APU units, but if the truck does not have an inverter, then you must use a plug in inverter if you have a microwave or refrigerator. What does a plug in inverter plug into if there is no inverter for a plug?
APU:
Auxiliary Power Unit
On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.
Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.