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Inverter Problem: Can't Handle Load But.. Should

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by hup, Jan 17, 2011.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Jan 17, 2011 #1
    hup

    hup Medium Load Member

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    Oct 19, 2010
    Missoula, MT
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    I'm a technical person, but never really understood electricity. And I'm having a little trouble with my Powerdrive 1500 inverter.

    I wired it up, and it runs fine, shows voltage of 13.5-13.7 when the truck is running.

    But when I try to run a 700 watt microwave, the voltage shown drops 0.5 or so every 2-3 seconds, until there's not enough voltage and the inverter shuts itself down. This takes about 10 seconds. Lowering the Cooking/Power Level doesn't help until I get down to a Power Level of 2. At that level it takes about 75 minutes to heat a can of soup! Kinda useless. The only reason it runs at PL 2 is because the microwave cycles on/off every 3-4 seconds, and the voltage can recover while in the off cycle.

    I also have a small electric kettle. Its listed as requiring up to 1000 Watts. It will run for maybe 15 seconds, and then once again, the voltage drops below 11 or so and the inverter shuts itself off.

    What is the problem here?? Is it possibly some crappy wiring or connections? Batteries lacking amperage? Gauge of wire?? All the above?

    The cable runs are about.. 10 feet.

    There's 4 batteries on this truck, and all 4 are wired in series. I think..
     
    hup, Jan 17, 2011
    hup, Jan 17, 2011
    #1
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  3. Jan 17, 2011 #2
    HEAVY DUDE

    HEAVY DUDE Road Train Member

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    The inverter isn't big enough.
     
    HEAVY DUDE, Jan 17, 2011
    HEAVY DUDE, Jan 17, 2011
    #2
  4. Jan 17, 2011 #3
    REDD

    REDD The Legend

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    Or the microwave wasn't built to run off a modified sine wave
     
    REDD, Jan 17, 2011
    REDD, Jan 17, 2011
    #3
    bullhaulerswife Thanks this.
  5. Jan 17, 2011 #4
    ohio_redneck75

    ohio_redneck75 Light Load Member

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    Sep 27, 2010
    coshocton,ohio
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    what gauge of wire u running? at 10 foot should be 0 gauge. check all conections. have the same inverter and it runs my 700 watt microwave fine
     
    ohio_redneck75, Jan 17, 2011
    ohio_redneck75, Jan 17, 2011
    #4
  7. Jan 17, 2011 #5
    Flying Finn

    Flying Finn Heavy Load Member

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    Jun 22, 2010
    Ontario, Canada
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    Sounds like a cable size issue. There is too much voltage drop across the cables supplying the inverter. While running your alternator should be supplying 14.1V, or pretty darn close to it. At the voltages you supplied you are getting about .4V to .6V drop on the cables themselves.

    What is the model number and make of the inverter. Some inverters state they are say, 1500W but that is peak, they may only be 800W or 900W continuous. Peak wattage doesn't mean much, you need the continuous wattage to be more than what you intend to run. The peak is for startup or the device.

    Updated:

    The powerdrive 1500 is rated for 3000W surge and 1500W continuous. It is not well suited for inductive loads (electric motors) due to the startup current required. If your 1000W kettle is tripping the inverter then definitely look at the gauge of cable you have installed.
     
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2011
    Flying Finn, Jan 17, 2011
    Flying Finn, Jan 17, 2011
    #5
  8. Jan 17, 2011 #6
    hup

    hup Medium Load Member

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    Oct 19, 2010
    Missoula, MT
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    IS there some kind of not-too-expensive adapter I can run between the inverter and appliance that adjusts this sine wave business?
     
    hup, Jan 17, 2011
    hup, Jan 17, 2011
    #6
  9. Jan 17, 2011 #7
    hup

    hup Medium Load Member

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    Oct 19, 2010
    Missoula, MT
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    Not sure... I measured the diameter of the cables and they're 3/8ths of an inch
     
    hup, Jan 17, 2011
    hup, Jan 17, 2011
    #7
  10. Jan 17, 2011 #8
    Flying Finn

    Flying Finn Heavy Load Member

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    Ontario, Canada
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    The cables will have all the info printed on them every foot or so. Give us that info and we can tell you what cable you have.

    You cannot convert to a proper since wave easily other than buying a good inverter. A $130 inverter will not give really good results.
     
    Flying Finn, Jan 17, 2011
    Flying Finn, Jan 17, 2011
    #8
    REDD Thanks this.
  11. Jan 17, 2011 #9
    canuck in da truck

    canuck in da truck Road Train Member

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    western pa
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    sounds like your batteries dont have a lot of reserve--they shouldnt drop to 11 v that quick--the inverter probabely is too small for the microwave as well--the initial startup on a microwave is a lot more than its rated wattage---try leaving the truck run just while you use the microwave--see if that helps
     
    canuck in da truck, Jan 17, 2011
    canuck in da truck, Jan 17, 2011
    #9
  12. Jan 17, 2011 #10
    REDD

    REDD The Legend

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    Dueling Banjoville
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    And that there lies the problem. These inverters don't specify if they are modified sine wave or pure sine wave on the packaging. And a lot of appliances won't run off a modified sine wave.

    You won't get a pure sine wave unless you are spending a grand or more on your inverter.
     
    REDD, Jan 17, 2011
    REDD, Jan 17, 2011
    #10
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