Convenience outlets

[Wil_H]

I just discovered that the convenience outlets on the dash and in the arm rest are not working properly. If I plug in my inverter it says that there is an overload or low battery. The voltage seem fine with a meter. I don't know what happens to the voltage under a load. Any idea? Is there a short some where? Both fuses are fine (#s 25 and 42). I haven't tried the cig lighter yet.

Thanks,

Wil

 

[Ladders]

How much amps is the inverter pulling? If its more than 18-19 (even tho the outlet is rated @ 20) you may be getting a LARGE voltage drop. If the inverter is pulling less w/o anything plugged in, then ck what you are trying to use from the inverter. If its still close to 20a, try going directly to the batt and see if it will work there. You may need to rewire to a heaver gage (possibly 10g or 8g) for the inverter to "pull" the amps necessary. To get the amps (if it only gives watts) divide 12 (the volts) into the watts for the current. ie: 1800 watts divided by 12 = 150 amps. If you aint got the amps the volts will drop and the inverter will not work.



PM if you need more or LL me.



SOTSU!!

\\BF//

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I think all the convenience outlets are not designed to handle much amperage. The cigarette lighter should be adequate. I wouldn't try the inverter using the armrest outlets being they're quite a ways from the source and the wiring is probably light.



Vaughn

 

[CoreyPerez]

Is the truck running? Live Von said, if the wires are large enough, it would not power it, and could cause the supply wires to over heat...



Corey

 

[Wil_H]

Well, I tried the inverter in a different truck and it didn't work there either. I tried a different inverter in my truck and it works fine. It appears that the inverter died since the last time I used it (less than a week ago). Kind of weird. Makes one feel like an idiot

Thanks for all your help,

Wil

 

[Kilby]

One of my inexpensive 300 watt inverters used give me problems sometimes. It wouldn't turn on with the voltage below a certain number. I'd try starting the engine to see if that solved the problem. If not, you're still not out any money.

 

[CoreyPerez]

Well, I tried the inverter in a different truck and it didn't work there either. I tried a different inverter in my truck and it works fine. It appears that the inverter died since the last time I used it (less than a week ago). Kind of weird. Makes one feel like an idiot

Trust me, you shouldn't feel like an idiot. If we all could tell the condition of something just by picking it up imagine where this world would be right now



I don't know if you have one near ya, but I got a pretty good "Coleman" one from Checker Autoparts a few weeks ago. When our power went out, it ran my: TV, VCR, SAT, Radio, Fan and Playstation (only the TV, Sat and fan were actually ON) for over 2hrs on a spare battery before the low voltage alarm came on. Great unit.



Corey

 

[Wil_H]

Yes, the Coleman's look pretty good for the $

Thanks

Wil

 

[LightmanE300]

I had two different Vector models, widely available at Target, etc, and both broke. One just stopped working, the other would blow the fuse of any vehicle I plugged it into. Both worked for a short while and then pooped out. I would not recommend them.

 

[Eric_77]

I have the Cobra models and they seem to work real good (150watt and 300 watt) I don't know their effieciency as I always use with truck running.