115v inverter outlet low voltage

[Radio Guy]

Keep in mind that the inverter output is NOT a true sine wave as you'll see at your house outlets.
Many meters will read an erroneous voltage when measuring the inverter output.

Kevin

Yes on this! Try a different meter and look for one that reads "true RMS" which will cost a bit more. I have not measured my JT inverter but its most certainly a modified square wave and that can drive some meters nuts. I will sometimes use an old analog meter for stuff like that.

When I get some time tomorrow I'll measure my JT inverter and post what I find with different meters.

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[WhyNotJeep]

For a 12 V fridge I would only power it with 12V. I'll check mine.

 

[dcmdon]

Keep in mind that the inverter output is NOT a true sine wave as you'll see at your house outlets.
Many meters will read an erroneous voltage when measuring the inverter output.

Kevin

This is a great point and may be the issue entirely. I've got a good Fluke meter and I'll test it tonight. My wife took the Jeep to work today. Fingers crossed. Ha.

 

[Radio Guy]

Yes on this! Try a different meter and look for one that reads "true RMS" which will cost a bit more. I have not measured my JT inverter but its most certainly a modified square wave and that can drive some meters nuts. I will sometimes use an old analog meter for stuff like that.

When I get some time tomorrow I'll measure my JT inverter and post what I find with different meters.

I tested my JT with a true RMS meter and with the engine running its 95.4 volts AC. A cheap Chinese plug in AC line monitor reads 91 volts under the same conditions. 95 volts will not do and it can damage some equipment similar to a brown out. I'm going to see what I can dig up to convince my dealer to correct this.

 

[WhyNotJeep]

The plug is there for looks and possible phone chargers.

 

[HjStrater]

I thought anything +/-10% of nominal voltage was acceptable for residential AC power. I think that’s even part of the ANSI spec.

 

[Radio Guy]

I thought anything +/-10% of nominal voltage was acceptable for residential AC power. I think that’s even part of the ANSI spec.

I think the American national standard is 120V +/- 5% which would be 114 to 126V.

 

[Lunentucker]

21 Mojave at idle.

Same meter on garage current.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

21 Mojave at idle.

Same meter on garage current.

With no load, be it at idle or higher RPM - it shouldn't matter as the truck's system voltage is still going to be whatever it is. The inverter voltage should be regulated regardless of the input side.
That's well under 100 volts - low, IMO. (and that's no load, I assume)

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I think the American national standard is 120V +/- 5% which would be 114 to 126V.

Yes, the nominal voltage is 120. People still say "110" because that's the old standard. And that's where "220" came from. Most still say "220" to this day.
But most don't seem to really freak until it's under 100. I recall having an electrician come into a business I was managing because people complained of the older computer screens "pulling in" on the sides at certain times - a sign of low voltage. They hooked up a recorder and found it dropped under 110 now and then but basically said "that's fine, not unusual".
If I recall, it was a problem with too much equipment on one of the circuits - the recorder was on over a weekend when no one was working.

 

[Lunentucker]

With no load, be it at idle or higher RPM - it shouldn't matter as the truck's system voltage is still going to be whatever it is. The inverter voltage should be regulated regardless of the input side.
That's well under 100 volts - low, IMO. (and that's no load, I assume)

No load. 10 foot extension cord to make it easier to get to.
I never planned on relying upon this outlet for anything anyway, but they should at least deliver the advertised voltage of 115.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

No load. 10 foot extension cord to make it easier to get to.
I never planned on relying upon this outlet for anything anyway, but they should at least deliver the advertised voltage of 115.

10' cord won't give any voltage drop when you are only using a meter so we can assume that's what it is right at the outlet.
Not even 100 volts. Wow.
They have a problem with the inverter they chose.
Don't know who makes it, but the voltage should be regulated to that 115 up to the rated capacity assuming adequate supply to the input side. (and a running truck will be at 12.6 volts minimum even when the PCM decides to conserve energy by cutting alternator output. They aren't going to let it drop below that. )

 

[Kevin_D]

Try comparing it with a cheap Harbor Freight inverter.

Kevin

 

[legacy_etu]

It sounds like there' s no real loss then in new trucks that are shipping with an "inverter delete". Maybe Jeep figured out there was a problem with them and they temporarily stopped adding them until they fix it.

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