I posted this on the new drivers board so I hope I'm not being redundant here.

Has anyone figured out how to get around having your DVD player/TV from shutting off each time the opti-idle starts up?

I was thinking about buying a surge protector-battery backup like the ones used in the home when the power fails. I thought if I could hook the surge protector up to my inverter and run my tv, DVD and xbox through it the problem might be solved.

I'm not sure if a 350 watt inverter could power a unit like that. Any suggestions would be really appreciated. It's a pain to restart the DVD and then find where you left off when the opti-idle kicks in....sheese!

Pat
Driving for CCC

 

First off, do you want the opti-idle to work, or would you rather have the engine run constantly?

2) i know that the KOSS KD-365 DVD player will re-start the DVD right where it left off if the power is interupted.

So, until we find a better solution, #2 may be your answer.

 

What Mcdooglus is thinking of trying might actually work. When I worked in computers we used these battery backups on all major systems. You can buy them at computer stores.

What they essentially are, is a short time generator ran on batteries. Basically when the outlet your unit is plugged into looses power the batteries turn on and power any thing that is plugged into the unit until you can shut it down. Depending on the load and the unit purchased it usually will last you around 20 minutes.

The only thing that I can say is try it. Save the receipts and do not remove any tags or packaging and if it doesn't work bring it back. Let me know if it does work. Also, if I remember correctly you need to buy the one that says un-interuptable power supply and never run you load for too long it will eventually shorten the lifespan and effectiveness of the batteries.

 

Actually, you're right. Try the backup thing first and if that doesn't work, then we'll talk.

The only concern is, will this drain the truck's batteries?

 

Lewis, your opening a can of worms here, modifying a company truck.
Stick to something you know about.

 

i never said nothing about modifing a co. truck.

In that case, a go back to my previous statement of the KOSS KD-365 will start the DVD where it left off when the power supply went out.

Or just watch DVD's using a laptop.

 

No modifying the truck. These things plug right into your power source. In this case the P.I. They are just a small box usually with 6 outlets. You plug your appliance into one of those outlets and that appliance is protected.

The charging part is a good question. You will need to see what kind of load it needs during normal operation with the batteries fully charged. Knowing that you can determine if your truck batteries can carry that during non-idle times. As far as charging, the big concern would be if the truck can idle long enough to charge both the truck batteries and the unit simultaneously to thier full charge.

But really in the end it might be better and cheaper to go with buying a dvd player that keeps it's place. A little inconvienent but it's cheaper and saves space.

 

The only thing that Chad, Colonel Toon, Ron Kniesly and now Lewis Friend knows, is that he/she is a TROLL!!!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

This sounds like you are going to tell him how to jury rig truck.
I'm new to all this, but isn't opti-idle something that makes the truck turn on and off?

If I'm wrong sorry, if it does in-fact do that, I'm not.
If opti-idle is something that the trucking company puts on their trucks to keep people from idling ( and I think they shouldn't ) and he get fired because he followed your advice, are you going to pay his wages while he looks for another job?

 

think he is just wondering if an APS/UPS will work if hooked up to a 12 volt inverter. I've thought about the idea myself but never tried it. I'd think you would need to have it charging for the whole day driving b4 you tried it first. If someone has gotten it to work off a 350-500 watt inverter I'd like to hear myself.