runaway parents Posted June 20, 2019 Report Share Posted June 20, 2019 Well I screwed up big time. I am admitting to this so I can try to keep someone else from doing this. Turned on inverter memorial day weekend to vacuum out the truck need less to say it got left on truck has been sitting since Then went to fire it up last night nothing not a light not any noise at all batteries totally dead. Thought I would hook up the old f250 and try to jump it. about 5 minutes of charging and the 780 came back to life. Was surprised the old f250 had enough in it to turn that big rig over. Hopefully I didn't ruin the batteries on the 780 we will see. The point to this story don't forget to turn those inverters off. Guess some of the newer rigs has a indicator light on dash ours doesn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaHybrid Posted June 20, 2019 Report Share Posted June 20, 2019 Some of the newer trucks have a low voltage shutoff that will disconnect most electrical loads when the battery voltage drops to a critical level. This ensures you have enough voltage left to start the truck. I know that late model Pete's and KW's are like this and I assume some of the other brands do as well. As far as your batteries go, they had to be just below the threshold level to have enough voltage to crank the truck. If they had been in really bad shape, I doubt that 5 minutes from your F250 would have charged them enough to crank it back to life. You took a little bit of life from them but it shouldn't be as bad as you think it is. Quote 2017 Kenworth T6802015 DRV 38RSSA Elite Suites2016 Smart Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve from SoCal Posted June 20, 2019 Report Share Posted June 20, 2019 To add to the mix, My inverters are connected directly to the batteries so no protection from the truck, however, the inverters shut off at 10.5 volts. Steve Quote 2005 Peterbilt 387-112 Baby Cat 9 speed U-shift 1996/2016 remod Teton Royal Atlanta 1996 Kentucky 48 single drop stacker garage project Pulls like a train, sounds like a plane....faster than a Cheetah sniffin cocaine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sehc Posted June 20, 2019 Report Share Posted June 20, 2019 If you haven't. Put a full charge into the batteries using a quality charger from the mains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos Posted June 20, 2019 Report Share Posted June 20, 2019 Interesting, my tow vehicle won't let you run the inverter with the vehicle turned off. It has to at least be in the accessory position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runaway parents Posted June 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2019 8 hours ago, brainstorm21 said: I doubt that 5 minutes from your F250 would have charged them enough Well my friend that is all it took 5 minutes and it turned over. You should never doubt someone you don't know it s like calling them a liar. Not a good idea!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runaway parents Posted June 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2019 4 hours ago, Carlos said: Interesting, my tow vehicle won't let you run the inverter with the vehicle turned off. It has to at least be in the accessory position. My inverter doesn't look like it was installed at the factory. It has no indicator lights any ware except on the inverter itself. Definitely aftermarket . But you know I wonder if I could wire it to the accessory switch ? You got me thinking. Hmmm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos Posted June 20, 2019 Report Share Posted June 20, 2019 You can't wire the power inputs to accessory switches, because they draw a lot of power. If the inverter has an on/off input, as many do, then you can drive that from any switch-only power. That uses very little power. The other option is a high-power relay. Whatever watts it is rated for, divide by 12 and that's the amps you need to supply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Patterson Posted June 21, 2019 Report Share Posted June 21, 2019 2 hours ago, runaway parents said: Well my friend that is all it took 5 minutes and it turned over. You should never doubt someone you don't know it s like calling them a liar. Not a good idea!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't read that like that at all... Perhaps the point was that 5 minutes for the F250 was enough to get it started but as Sehc said, you might want to put a full charge on the batteries with a good charger. Quote Shawn and Andrea Elvis the Cheagle Dog 2013 Volvo 730 / iShift / D13 XE Package / ET Hitch 2016 DRV Mobile Suites 43 Atlanta 2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited Read the blog at 40foothouse.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sehc Posted June 21, 2019 Report Share Posted June 21, 2019 My 2000w inverter will draw 150 amps when the microwave is on high. 2/0 battery cables, with a marine switch to disable the inverter. Blue Sea M-6004. https://www.bluesea.com/products/6004/Single_Circuit_ON-OFF_with_Locking_Key_-_Red Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenandjon Posted June 24, 2019 Report Share Posted June 24, 2019 On 6/20/2019 at 8:24 AM, brainstorm21 said: I doubt that 5 minutes from your F250 would have charged them enough I jumped my Pete with our dodge doully farm truck. Took a little longer than 5 minutes but less than 10. I have jumped semi trucks off all kinds of vehicles. Cars Pickups tractors whatever is handy. Sometimes it takes a half hour or longer but it gets the job done. You can jump start a semi off a Geo metro if you have all day. Quote Farmer, Trucker, Equipment operator, Mechanic Quando omni flunkus moritati-When all else fails, play dead I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted June 24, 2019 Report Share Posted June 24, 2019 The size of the jumper cables is VERY important. Good clamps are too. Quote KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad & Jacolyn Posted June 24, 2019 Report Share Posted June 24, 2019 (edited) Are you sure that the F250 charged the batteries OR did the HDT just start from the F250 batteries? Guess it really doesn't matter as long as it started. I once started mine from a golf cart. Now that is embarrassing.🙄 Edited June 24, 2019 by Brad & Jacolyn Quote Brad and Jacolyn Tucker the Wonder dog and Brynn the Norfolk Terrier 2009 Smart "Joy" 2004 VNL630 "Vonda the Volvo" 2008 Hitch Hiker 35 CK Champagne Edition VED12 465 HP, Freedomline, 3.73 ratio, WB 218" Fulltiming and loving it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exile Posted June 24, 2019 Report Share Posted June 24, 2019 6 hours ago, Brad & Jacolyn said: Are you sure that the F250 charged the batteries OR did the HDT just start from the F250 batteries? Guess it really doesn't matter as long as it started. I once started mine from a golf cart. Now that is embarrassing.🙄 That’s not embarrassing, that shows you have brains. Now if you pull started it with the golf cart . . . I want to see someone verify having jumped their truck with an electric wheelchair. Quote 98 379 with 12.7 DD LG Dodge w/5.9 CTD Chrome habit I’m trying to kick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos Posted June 24, 2019 Report Share Posted June 24, 2019 I jump started a motorcycle using my Sea Doo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted June 24, 2019 Report Share Posted June 24, 2019 We jump start hunters without permission aka trespassers with a electric fencer. Quote "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exile Posted June 24, 2019 Report Share Posted June 24, 2019 1 minute ago, noteven said: We jump start hunters without permission aka trespassers with a electric fencer. My grandfather had his model T set up to give people a shock if they touched it. Back in the days of dirt roads and leather shoes.. been trying to figure out how to rig up same system for my truck, especially the fuel tank. Quote 98 379 with 12.7 DD LG Dodge w/5.9 CTD Chrome habit I’m trying to kick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted June 25, 2019 Report Share Posted June 25, 2019 2 hours ago, Exile said: That’s not embarrassing, that shows you have brains. Now if you pull started it with the golf cart . . . I want to see someone verify having jumped their truck with an electric wheelchair. Used the smart car recently to boost a new to me farm truck special. Auction sale '77 Chevy crew cab dually, 454, TH400 auto. Sat for about 5 mins, fired her up. Used #2 gauge booster cables, mind you. Quote I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication 2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet 2007 32.5' Fleetwood QuantumPlease e-mail us here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runaway parents Posted June 25, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2019 Great news batteries seem to be ok .After getting it started with f250 we drove it about 10 miles brought it home put it on charger for a day pulled charger let it sit till yesterday went out and fired it up took it out and put about a 100 miles on it every thing seems to be working fine. thought I was going to have to buy four new batteries PHEW that was a close one wallet feels a lot better!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyA Posted June 25, 2019 Report Share Posted June 25, 2019 Was the inverter supplying a load at the time? All but the cheapest models cut off at 10.5 volts which is, BTW, considered a dead battery. If there is no load on the output of the inverter the loss is minimal, usually one amp or less and the time required to drain the batteries could be days - but combined with additional loss through the truck electronics that stay on even when the key is off - the the time period could be shorter - much shorter. My take is the truck batteries would have shown about 10.5 volts if you had checked them with a voltmeter. Low enough that anything but pure resistive loads (like a filament lamp) would have stopped functioning. While it is true that starting batteries like we have in our truck are more quickly ruined by full discharge than deep cycle batteries they are durable enough that a few dead cycles will not appreciably shorten their life span. I am in total agreement that it would be beneficial to hook the batteries up to a 4-stage external digital charger for a couple of days being sure you have at least one boost cycle during that period. I too have started my Volvo from a golf cart, but I was throwing 16 volts at the starter from two 200 Ah 8 volt batteries. The battery in the lawn tractor would not do the job 😃. As far as future battery discharge prevention - here is an idea. Rather than try to switch the high amperage supply cables tap into the inverter on-off switch. While some inverters have a RG-11 telephone wire type connection for on-off it works better to go inside the inverter and solder some wires to the inverter's switch to make your own remotely located on-off switch (leave the OEM inverter switch off). This switch can be in the form of a N.O. relay that closes when 12 VDC is supplied to the coil when the ignition is on. The same type of Bosch relay used throughout your truck works great and you can get them on eBay or Amazon with a pre-wired socket for just a few bucks. Quote Randy, Nancy and Oscar "The Great White" - 2004 Volvo VNL670, D12, 10-speed, converted to single axle pulling a Keystone Cambridge 5th wheel, 40', 4 slides and about 19,000# with empty tanks. ARS - WB4BZX, Electrical Engineer, Master Electrician, D.Ed., Professor Emeritus - Happily Retired! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou Schneider Posted June 25, 2019 Report Share Posted June 25, 2019 (edited) 19 hours ago, Exile said: That’s not embarrassing, that shows you have brains. Now if you pull started it with the golf cart . . . I want to see someone verify having jumped their truck with an electric wheelchair. How about a 10 year old 1.6L Nissan Sentra? At one of our transmitter sites a Class 8 winch truck was stuck after the driver left the headlights on over a long weekend. Amid much derision I jumpered the Sentra's battery to the big rig's 8Ds, ran the engine at a fast idle for 10 minutes and the truck started right up. The Nissan's alternator did get a bit aromatic but it worked fine until I sold the car 8 years and 160,000 miles later. 12 volts is 12 volts. Edited June 25, 2019 by Lou Schneider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos Posted June 25, 2019 Report Share Posted June 25, 2019 12 minutes ago, Lou Schneider said: 12 volts is 12 volts. The question would be current. My Jeep has a huge alternator, the wife's BMW has a much smaller one. Diesel trucks have two batteries or more, and large alternators. The Nissan, not so much. Jumper cable size matters a lot also. I can (have) instantly jump a large truck from my Jeep with the #2 wires I carry. But have also spent a while waiting for a charge to happen on cheap-junk light cables. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou Schneider Posted June 25, 2019 Report Share Posted June 25, 2019 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Carlos said: The question would be current. My Jeep has a huge alternator, the wife's BMW has a much smaller one. Diesel trucks have two batteries or more, and large alternators. The Nissan, not so much. Jumper cable size matters a lot also. I can (have) instantly jump a large truck from my Jeep with the #2 wires I carry. But have also spent a while waiting for a charge to happen on cheap-junk light cables. A starting draw of 1500 amps for 12 seconds is the same as charging at 30 amps for 600 seconds (10 minutes). 😉 Edited June 25, 2019 by Lou Schneider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos Posted June 25, 2019 Report Share Posted June 25, 2019 Only if you ignore wire gauges, clamp resistance and surface area, battery internal resistance, and a bunch of other factors. They are "the same" in theory, not in practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted June 25, 2019 Report Share Posted June 25, 2019 16 minutes ago, Carlos said: Only if you ignore wire gauges, clamp resistance and surface area, battery internal resistance, and a bunch of other factors. They are "the same" in theory, not in practice. That's why I mentioned in post 14 of the current🤣 27, that jumper guage and clamps are important. (How's that for slipping in a pun?) Quote KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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