Sorry I guess I was lacking information, I have a 1000w inverter. Here's the link http://www.amazon.com/Xantrex-XPower-1000W-Inverter-Refurbished/dp/B000FZL9BE[/url]

no other load on the inverter. I don't know what the voltage is

Clean air? They connected it to the bunk frame on the outside of course.

The wire didn't have any writing on it, just white wire maybe slightly thinner than cable tv wire

the fuse holder was a maxi something fuse link, I don't remember the size.

I hope this helps. I heard that Pilot sells them, I tried Walmart due to price concerns but I guess those are for the house only

thank you for your help[/url]

 

Reading the specs on Xantrex-XPower-1000W-Inverter it is a 1000 Watt continous duty unit. Which means it requires a full 70 amps.

If they installed a 50 amp fuse it won't handle this unit as far as the microwave is concerned. Now don't panic. MAXI Fuse list a 80 amp fuse link that will fit in this fuse holder. Reading the specs on the Xantrex inverter it says it has circuit protection for overload. So I don't see a problem increasing the fuse link to 80 amps.

Now a couple of thing to try before you try the microwave.

One other thing I should of ask is how the ground wire is attached to the truck. It should connect directly to the negative terminal of they battery. Or a ground screw by a short wire that goes directly to the battery.

1) Check the both the positive and negative connection a good. Verify that the screw on the fuse holder are tight.

2) Install the fuse and turn the inverter on with NO LOAD. Nothing plugged in.

If that works go to step 2. If this fails you have a problem in either the inverter, the connections to the battery, or fuse holder connection.

3) Plug in a light something like a drop light. Something in the range of a 100 watt light.

If that works go to step 4. If this fails the problem is most likely a bad inverter.

4) Plug in the microwave and try it.
If it works your done.

One thing I didn't ask. Does the microwave work OK when plugged into a regular 110 volt outlet? If not needless to say the microwave is defective.

A couple of additional thought.

A) How do you turn-off the inverter when it is not being used? If it on all the time it will run the battery down in time. I've seem several of these inverters connected to a switch relay on the truck and very few can handle a 1000 watt load.

B) The leads from the battery to the inverter should be as short as possible.

Beyond these step it is going to require a hands on testing to find the problem. This setup should work and I see no reason the replace the microwave with a small unit.

Best of luck. If I can help let me know.

kc0iv

 

I've yet to have any problems at all with my 1,500 watt Cobra invertor working with anything, including the microwave. It just simply works.

 

First thank you very much Kc0iv for you time and help. First off the inverter works, I have been using it for my cellphone, laptop etc. I turned on the microwave and it worked and started dimming in and out like when there is a power shortage. I thought I blew the inverter, but went and bought a small fuse (they didn't have bigger ones at the truck stop) and it's working again.

One thing I'm not clear about in your post, "MAXI Fuse list a 80 amp fuse link that will fit in this fuse holder" If I remember correctly I bought a Maxi fuse link, I don't remember a specific size. What I mean is you mention a fuse link and a fuse holder, I thought this was the same thing.

I can go buy a bigger fuse, but now I'm thinking I might need a bigger fuse link. Also the company said that the trucks only support 60w fuses not higher. Of course he told me all I need is a 40w fuse.

Actually, I just looked on the web, I bought a fuse holder, I don't know what a fuse link is or if that's just synonymous with fuse holder. I guess that's what confused me about your post.

I must admit I was leaving the thing on, but I will stop doing that. I do have a smaller inverter that works fine for the laptop, phone, I just want this big one for the microwave. I don't have a tv nor do I plan on getting one so it will just be the micro.

Thank you once again for you help.

 

I think that one of your problems is the size of the cables. If they are ony about the diameter of a cable TV cable....they are tooooo small! It would be best if they are about #2. Too small of a cable set causes too much resistance and that will cause problems to include setting the truck on fire.

Its best to turn off the inverter when not in use. If you have nothing plugged in and its on, the draw is actually minimal, but it will still drain the batteries after awhile. Make sure you have the right size fuse in-line. Do not cheat and put in one larger than is called for.

I also have a Cobra 1500, and it has worked admirably, and my microwave has had no problem operating on it.

Clear air refers to nothing being put around it to block the flow of air to cool the inverters internal parts, especially if the cooling fan kicks on.

 

The problem with the wires is the company put them in. Someone told me to use jumper cable wires, and I was going to buy them but the company said they had what I needed. Do you think a truck stop mechanic would put them in for me as it's a company truck (at my expense of course)? And where do I get wires, or just get the jumper cables? Thanks

 

The company is stupid for providing that size cable.

There is a mathematical formula to establish the necessary size of the cable. You have to measure the "actual path" of the cables for the entire length and double it. How much amperage is being pulled across that length determines the guage of the wire. Any good parts house or marine store will have the cable and can tell you what you need size-wise. Going one size larger is good insurance. Keep in mind that the cable guage is larger the smaller the number on it. In other words #1 is larger than #2 is larger than #3 and so on.

I'm not sure if a truckstop mechanic will install an inverter in a company truck...you can only find out by asking.

 

I think that you can get what you need at Home Depot or Lowes. If not, any good car stereo or RV dealer will have what you need, along with the battery connectors. And a stereo shop will usually solder the cable and connectors for you for a buck or two, if not for free, if you buy your stuff there.

And I would install the new wire myself. It should not take you more the a few minutes. It will probably take you longer to find your tools then to reinstall the new cable. Just use the old cable to pull the new stuff into the cab. Lots of duct or electrical tape will make this easy.

Also check ebay for the cable, they almost give the stuff away.

Your owners manual should tell you the proper gage of wire to use. It sounds like what you have installed is to small.