Inverter recommendations, and battery help

[woobergoober]

Was wondering if anybody could give me some recommendations for an inverter, ie, brand, rating, etc.

I was also wondering, does every truck with a "powered" sleeper, have 4 batteries? The reason I ask, is I have bought a nice Alumi-bunk Aerodyne, used, for practically nothing. I am going to be coupling it to my day cab shortly, and am trying to get everything ahead of time.

I currently have 2 batteries on my truck, but I am guessing 4 are necessary with a sleeper. On most expediters, are the 4 batteries generally located in one box, or do you have the other 2 batteries in a different location?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Scott

Hi Woob-

We use a three battery system. Two of them are used exclusively for the truck to start etc. and one is for running the sleeper while the truck is off. We use Sears Die Hard Deep Cell RV/Marine batteries. As indicated in a previous post we have an A/B switch set up installed. We turn this switch to B when we stop and the truck is just using the designated sleeper battery. Thus, no dead start up batteries. All batteries charge when we have the truck started. (with the switch turned back to the A position) We have a pretty good size inverter 3000 but we also run lots of stuff in here including a hot water tank.

[woobergoober]

Thanks McBride, that helps a bunch. Is the third battery housed seperately, and if so, where is it located?

[HARDRIVE]

We use a system that uses a total of five batteries,Two are starting batteries,three are isolated for the sleeper.We used the AB type switch on our last truck,but the new truck has a isolator so sleeper batteries are charged automaticaly when the truck is running.We use a Zantax 1250 inverter.And have wired in shore power as well.Shore power means we can just plug in to AC power when ever near a AC outlet.

The three battery box came from a salvage yard for fifty bucks.The inverter can be obtained from truck stops or my favorite Camping World.
They also install.
http://www.campingworld.com/index.cfm?affiliateid=590

Sorry Woob-I should have reread what I wrote..

Yes, all three batteries are in the same box which is located in the driver's side belly box.

We have done alright with the three battery A/B set up. The only real problem we seem to have is ME not remembering to turn the switch...if you leave it on the single battery and turn the truck on it does not charge. I have been driving and all of the sudden hear the warning beep that the battery is low before I realize I have not switched the thing back.

The good thing is, if I forget to turn the switch to the single battery...we still have been able to start...thank god. BUT it makes mcbride kinda pissy when I forget.

The whole reason we have this sytem is we got stuck once in Georgia with dead batteries in the other truck. NO one would give us a jump and I think we had to call some repair place to come jump us. We vowed that would not happen again.

[Jimbo]

WooberGoober, check out this post by me also. Although the switch McBride mentions is OK, the isolation block I speak of removes the need to switch anything. They cost a few bucks....maybe $30 to $50 for a good one, but they're well worth the cost.
http://www.expediterworld.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=203

Also, 3 batteries will do, but 4 would not hurt to have if you can find the room. You can run electric for a longer period without recharging, and put less stress on the whole bunch by splitting up the demand that much more.

I have found a very good company for inverters, and have a link on my website. Go to WWW.TruckerTech.com, and hit the "Other Sites I Like" link on the home page. Scroll down, and look for Don Rowe's link. They carry some nice inverters, and their prices are very reasonable from what I see.

Besides all that, remember to use "Deep Cycle" batteries where you intend to run your inverter off of. This will keep them from being damaged due to constantly being deeply discharged.

[merkurfan]

I run a van, so my setup is a litte different. But not really. I have 2 wally world deep cycles mounted under my bunk vented through the floor and side of the van. I just nabbed a isolater off a junked motor home but before that i just used a disconect switch. While robbing that motor home I also snatched a working 120/12 volt refridgerator about the size of a dorm one. The darn thing is older than me, but it keeps ice cubes frozen :) I wired that right to the 2 batteries and istalled my isolater this morning. I bought my inverter at Pilot, at the time, believe it or not, they where the cheapest for a 1500 watt. Cost me 150 bucks. Of course a week later (and currently) TA has the colman 1500 watt on sale for 129. Hard to beat that. Unless your going to try and run a toaster or toaster oven a 1500 watt will do just fine. Most small microwaves need 800-1200 watts to run. That is why I bought mine.

Once I am done overhauling my sleeper I'll have a microwave, 2 burner stove, a small sink, 10 gallon water tank, propane heat (under van with forced air), a under body propane tank (obviously on the otherside of the van from the heater) a real refridgerator, room to haul 2 pallets (with the bunk folded up) and a completely seperate 12 volt system to run it all. To I found my powerstroke has a mount for a second alternator. Once installed I'll also put in a switch so I can run the van off either one. If one dies, I can keep going :)

All the RV stuff was freebees, how sweet is that? I feel like I am doing a moster garage show.

Merk-

Hey, we would really like to see your van! Do you have pics? If not, we need to see it in person..

[woobergoober]

Great, thanks for your input Jimbo. I am checking and reading and printing info, for the near future.

Scott

[Jimbo]

Scott,

Always feel free to E-mail me directly. You can get the E-mail in the member list area. Or JimSmith@TruckerTech.com.

Don Rowe company, which I mentioned earlier, has a nice tool for checking out how much electric an item uses, so you can be sure you're buying the right size inverter. After you figure out what you need to, the tool can be used to keep an eye on certain tools now and then. When a tool starts drawing more juice, it needs to be looked at, or replaced.

[Uncle Truck]

My truck uses 4 batteries, all in one box. They are all wired together in parallel. The four provide ample reserve power to run the small inverter, fridge, lights and fan inside the sleeper for about 10-12 hours.
Big class 8 engine needs lots of cranking power, with old FL70 I got away with only the three batteries. This "stock" battery setup has been fine for one person, but if truck were team "powerhog," I might invest in genset or additional batteries.

UT