Overdrive

January 2015

Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info

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EQUIPMENT SPOTLIGHT INVERTERS 44 | Overdrive | January 2015 More in-cab power? No problem I nverter sales continue to rise as more truck owners choose to provide in-cab electri- cal loads for AC-powered 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. Using inverter power and 110- volt AC appliances also is more effi cient, says Mary Wauls, digital marketing project specialist for DAS Companies. Cooking and heating are much faster than with 12-volt appliances, Wauls says. Other benefi ts of invert- ers include fuel cost savings and reduced engine wear and tear, says Steve Carlson, OEM sales manager for Xantrex. An inverter also can reduce hours of use for a diesel-fi red auxiliary power unit without shore power compatibility, reducing main- tenance costs and increasing APU life, Carlson says. Installing an inverter also will enhance a truck's resale value, he says. Most driver comfort features work well with inverters feeding power to them in typical truck confi gurations. Proper power consumption management lowers the risk to the truck's batteries, starter and alternator, says Oliver Lafarge, sales direc- tor for inverter provider Tundra International. By Dean Smallwood Untitled-3 1 12/10/14 9:18 AM How do you spec an inverter to suit your power needs? Visit the 30-second Trucker Tips playlist at youtube.com/OverdriveMag.

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