Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
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EQUIPMENT SPOTLIGHT All charged up Know your total load before spec'ing an inverter By Dean Smallwood I DAS PowerDrive inverters are available in eight models offering up to three grounded AC outlets and range from 100 to 2,000 watts. The PowerDrive 300 offers 300 watts of continuous AC power output and 600 watts of available surge power. nverter shipments have risen sharply since 2005, notes inverter maker Xantrex. The trend is expected to continue as truck owners choose to provide in-cab electrical loads for ACpowered TVs, microwaves and laptops without running the engine. Not only is it convenient to use a device that converts a battery's 12-volt DC power to AC household power, but it's increasingly necessary as more communities adopt strict no-idle regulations. Most driver comfort features work well with inverters feeding power to them in typical truck configurations. Proper power consumption management lowers the risk to the truck's batteries, starter and alternator, says Oliver Lafarge, sales director for inverter provider Tundra International. Using inverter power and 110-volt AC appliances also is more efficient, says Mary Wauls, digital marketing project specialist for DAS Companies. The company offers PowerDrive, MobileSpec and RoadPro power inverters and accessories and also distributes those and other brands such as Cobra to Pilot, Flying J, Love's and Wilco Hess. Cooking and heating are much faster than with 12-volt appliances, Wauls says. Other benefits of inverters include fuel cost savings and reduced engine wear and tear, says Steve Carlson, a sales manager for Xantrex. An inverter also can reduce hours of use for a diesel-fired auxiliary power unit without shore power compatibility, reducing maintenance costs and increasing APU life, Carlson says. Installing an inverter also will enhance a truck's resale value, he says. Going shopping Picking an inverter with the right specs isn't as simple as it might seem. Sizes range from 300-watt cigarette lighter plug-in devices for occasional users to 5,000-watt units for RVs. Other options for select units include remote control, a USB power port and a graphic display that shows the batteries' state, power consumption and alarm codes. "Truck drivers need to be able to feed and power their equipment without having to constantly wonder if they will overload and burn their power inverter or put their batteries at risk," Lafarge says. Carlson says owner-operators should look for an inverter that's compliant with UL (Underwriters Laboratories) standard 458. Such products have "high electrical standards for safety and are designed to withstand the rigors of demanding in-vehicle applications," he says. "Many power products in the aftermarket don't carry the UL listing, which is recommended by many trucking The Bergstrom Tundra inverter and shore power kit for Nite noidle systems allows drivers to connect to grid electricity. The kit includes an extension cord and a switching box that automatically detects 110-volt AC power. 38 | Overdrive | January 2014 Equip_Spot_0114.indd 38 12/20/13 9:47 AM