This might seem like a complete newbie question, probably because it is. But I wanted to ask you guys, how do you get power inside the cab for your TV/alarm/CD Player, or whatever else? Is there a power unit that you must buy to put in the sleeper berth? If so, where do you get a power source from and how much do they cost? Which are the best ones? Thanks.

 

It's called a power inverter. It converts 12v to 120v. A cheap, underpowered one can cost under $100. They can go upwards of a few thousand dollars for a really good one. The ones that are available at truckstops are usually junk.

If you are going to get one, I suggest a "pure sine wave", as it puts out cleaner power (some appliances won't run on anything but pure sine wave), and a MINIMUM of 1000 watts.

If you are a company driver, make sure your employer allows them, and they may want to do the installation themselves. An improperly installed inverter is a fire waiting to happen.

 

The majority of companies, especially the newbie training companies, do not allow hardwired inverters. If your company limits you to plug in type then 400 watts is the biggest you can go. It will run a tv/dvdplayer.

Also there are 12v outlets in the sleeper than allow the use of 12v appliances.

 

this may be a dumb ?. Why dont truck makers just put house out lets in the sleeper. Why dont peterbilt or kenworth come from the factory with built in inverters??? :?:

 

"power for TV/CD Player, or whatever" Buy 12 VDC capable toys. I have a battery powered CD player. Don't need many of the other toys. Watch the amount of stuff you take, it can be a b***h getting the stuff home when you change employers. "alarm" - get a windup alarm.
"Why don't truck makers just put house out lets in the sleeper?" It would take an APU to generate the AC. Invertors will draw down the truck's batteries. Fleets don't usually buy APUs for their trucks due to added cost and weight (more money/less freight). BOL

 

Inverters and APU (aux power units) are actually an option now from all truck manufactures. As stated though companies tend to spec trucks with a heavy leaning towards making money and only min thought given to driver comfort.

 

My Pete came with this exact thing. I've got 2 outlets in the truck, and one in the storage box. The inverter is outside, right next to the batteries (in the box).

It's a VERY expensive option. Volvo has been offering it for years.

 

A quality inverter will run $100-250 depending on the size. The cheapie $20-40 ones that plug into the 12V outlet are only good for phone chargers or a smaller laptop.

The "Mayan Temple" Modified sine put out by cheap inverters can destroy certain appliances like laser printers. You can also get strange behavior like clocks running fast from the frequency being off.

They can also allow the voltage to lag, increasing current and starting fires in the appliance being powered. This is more in the context of a off grid house with larger loads that a Truck/RV context. Due to this you can no longer get a UL or ETL modsine inverter.

If you install a larger inverter make sure it has a low voltage shutoff, otherwise you can run your battery bank down and be unable to start the tractor.

 

our company installs Proheats on all the trucks it gives us power to run the AC and heaters charges the batteries heats the engine block and the fuel tanks and as an added bonus gives us 2 AC receptacles. It is the greatest thing if a little noisy to try and sleep but you get used to that. I hear they cost $8000 a unit but I might be wrong about that.