115v inverter outlet low voltage

[REDBEAST]

I was getting my Gladiator ready for the road and testing a 12v fridge for function. Using the 115v AC power adapter I was monitoring voltage and current draw with an in line device. Using this same monitoring device my house voltage showed 122v AC but when used on my Gladiator showed between 99 and 104v AC. It ran my fridge OK but some electronics are sensitive to low voltage and may not work at all or may sustain damage. Has anyone else experienced this issue and if so what did you do? I absolutely disdain dealerships and trying to avoid them if possible. Thanks in advance.

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[MrZappo]

We're you at idle when testing? Try it with a few RPM's added.

 

[REDBEAST]

We're you at idle when testing? Try it with a few RPM's added.

Forgot to mention I did try changing engine RPM with zero change. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[MrZappo]

If you are testing with no load on the inverter, I'd say you have a faulty inverter.

 

[REDBEAST]

If you are testing with no load on the inverter, I'd say you have a faulty inverter.

Service at dealerships absolutely sucks. Took it in to Classic Jeep of of I20 in Arlington, TX. They took it into a bay and it sat there for over 3 hours with nothing being done. I left. Today I took it into Freedom Jeep in Duncanville, TX and waited 2 hours there only for them to tell me "no problem found". He had a wad of paperwork in his hand and I just said give me my F------g keys let me out of this circus. I think service is bad everywhere. I found a used inverter on line with a guarantee and I will just replace the unit myself. I'd hate to see what would happen if there was a catastrophic failure.

 

[Shootist]

Before you go buying an inverter I would check the voltage unloaded. As Zappo pointed out it would only really be an issue if you aren’t getting a decent voltage unloaded. Voltage will decrease as load increases with an inverter especially if you are getting near maximum load. Worth just checking with an AC voltage tester rather than relying on what you see from a display on your fridge. I expect that the new one may be the same way.

 

[REDBEAST]

Before you go buying an inverter I would check the voltage unloaded. As Zappo pointed out it would only really be an issue if you aren’t getting a decent voltage unloaded. Voltage will decrease as load increases with an inverter especially if you are getting near maximum load. Worth just checking with an AC voltage tester rather than relying on what you see from a display on your fridge. I expect that the new one may be the same way.

The voltage reading was with a totally unloaded condition at the outlets. I did finally get a dealer in Arlington, TX to acknowledge there really is a problem by having them plug my shunt load meter into their shop outlet and then into my Jeep. There was 19 VAC difference. I'll be dropping it off tomorrow AM. Thanks for your response.

 

[Shootist]

The voltage reading was with a totally unloaded condition at the outlets. I did finally get a dealer in Arlington, TX to acknowledge there really is a problem by having them plug my shunt load meter into their shop outlet and then into my Jeep. There was 19 VAC difference. I'll be dropping it off tomorrow AM. Thanks for your response.

Good deal. Glad they are fixing it for you. Sure better than having to buy a new inverter.

 

[REDBEAST]

Good deal. Glad they are fixing it for you. Sure better than having to buy a new inverter.

I just got back from my third dealership trying to resolve the low voltage at the 115 V AC outlets on my Gladiator. Same song as the others. They regard 99-102 V AC as acceptable going by testing other vehicles on the lot. OK, I'm not a happy camper so I did this. I asked a new vehicle salesman to let me test the voltage on one of the new Gladiators. He let me check it and guess what; the exact same thing at 102V AC. This is far below advertised voltage. Now I'm going to ask forum members who have the 115V AC outlets to, if they will, check the actual voltage from their vehicle. Some people may never know there is a problem until something gets burnt up. If it turns out there are enough people reporting this situation it should go up the line to FCA. These inverters are a LEAR product made in Mexico and there is no telling what quality control measures they have there.

 

[Lost1wing]

I just got back from my third dealership trying to resolve the low voltage at the 115 V AC outlets on my Gladiator. Same song as the others. They regard 99-102 V AC as acceptable going by testing other vehicles on the lot. OK, I'm not a happy camper so I did this. I asked a new vehicle salesman to let me test the voltage on one of the new Gladiators. He let me check it and guess what; the exact same thing at 102V AC. This is far below advertised voltage. Now I'm going to ask forum members who have the 115V AC outlets to, if they will, check the actual voltage from their vehicle. Some people may never know there is a problem until something gets burnt up. If it turns out there are enough people reporting this situation it should go up the line to FCA. These inverters are a LEAR product made in Mexico and there is no telling what quality control measures they have there.

I will check mine next chance. Thanks for letting us know.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Last I knew these were intended to power electronic devices, not a "fridge" or anything with that sort of a draw or load, electronics, not motors. I'm sure it can be done but some loads are different than others. My dealer said they were intended to power laptops, tablets, recharge phones, power portable TVs, that sort of thing.
Resistive loads vs. inductive loads.............?????????

 

[Rusty PW]

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Not another video........... LOL
I don't go chasing YT vids generally speaking - not until I know how my bandwidth will be for the 30 day period.

 

[Rusty PW]

Not another video........... LOL
I don't go chasing YT vids generally speaking - not until I know how my bandwidth will be for the 30 day period.

As much shit you research on the web and post. You're worried about bandwidth over a video.

 

[Kevin_D]

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

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