2005 Power Outlet Question

Hey guys,

I've got a question for ya. I have been using the power outlet of my 2005 Tacoma to run a very small 2 gallon air compressor. Here is a link:


I have connected the compressor to the power outlet around 15 times without any problems (even though the tacoma is rated at 115v and the compressor is at 120v). I usually just keep the truck off when the compressor is on. This past Saturday, it was especially hot and I ran the compressor around three cycles. After the third cycle, the compressor would stop working. It seems to me that the Tacoma power supply was getting cut off. I tried connecting a dewalt reciprocating saw. You could tell that it didn't have the same power as before but the truck still turns on fine.

I need to run this compressor for my job. I don't want to invest in a generator. Would should I do to fix the problem? Please help.

Thanks in advance,

Joe

 

The compressor from your link takes 2 A at 120 V, or 240 W. The inverter should be able to power this device continuously, however I believe it is spec'd when the engine is at idle (not off). I don't think the heat signifcantly reduced the inverter's ability to supply power; my guess is that your battery was infact drained.

Don't worry about 115 V vs 120 V, in the world of power it is simply nomenclature, both referring to the RMS voltage from line to neutral on a 3-Phase WYE system. 115 V is often used to account for the voltage drop from the source to the load.

 

Throw a 100% duty cycle On Board Air System on the truck??

 

According to this website, it has a peak hp of 1hp. In watts thats around 750 watts. Too much for our inverters.

http://www.cpocampbellhausfeld.com/...car_care_air_compressors/fp204800rb_spec.html

 

So, if the battery is drained, should I just recharge over night? What I don't understand is, why was the truck still able to turn on?

The next time I run this compressor, do I just need to make sure and turn the truck on and everything will be okay?

Thanks for having me!

 

Nice power conversion. Power ratings of components are based on average power, not peak power. A peak power of 750 Wwith an average power of 240 W results in a crest factor of about 3, which is not excessive; the inverter should be able to power this compressor all day long, along with a radio.

It is hard to come up with an exact answer not being present at the time, but my guess is perhaps the truck monitors the battery voltage for some low limit, and shuts the power inverter down when the battery reaches this value. This way you can still start the vehicle.

I can not say for sure that having the engine off was your problem, but based on the info provided is my best guess. Try it next time with the engine at idle, and see. Your MPG is going to plummet, BTW.

 

You may want to think about getting a generator. Most power tools will be too much for these inverters. I got Honda 2000i genrator and it works great and super quiet. We use it a lot for tailgating but it's mostly for work. You can go a cheaper route and get a Coleman gen. at Home Depot for about $350.00. I had one from there and the first time I started it up it ran for about 15 min. and never started again. The oil was low but the guy at HD said it comes ready out of the box. I checked it myself but the stick is so short it takes a small drop for it to read correctly but seemed to be a decent gen. I got a full refund and got the Honda.

 

By the way, this is what I need the compressor for:




I take low level aerial photos with this pneumatic mast.


Would I help the situation if I got one of these batteries?

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ca...ery&fromWhere=&searchText=&_requestid=1314820

 

Here is a photo I took last Saturday:

 

You could be right, but I'd have reservations knowing its a compressor and not a radio. Considering our inverters are good for 400w max, even at 50% load from the compressor, thats still over 350w hitting close to the high mark on the inverter. At some point its going to fizzle out over time from excessive heat. Based on his regular use, he's bound to hit that wall a lot sooner than most. It might be better advised to invest into a small generator and save the truck for emergency use when gas runs out. Just my 2 cents.

 

Ok sweet I just remember some one mentioning about tuning them I forget to ask about it
Im going to focus on building my rig before I worry about the good toys