E-Torque Failure-Not Warranted

[Greg48]

I installed a 1500 watt power inverter in my 2019 E-Torque Ram to operate my dear wife's oxygen machine pulling 340-420 watts max. Properly sized wire and breaker straight from the 12 volt start battery. We took a necessary 146 mile trip and the system worked flawlessly. The remote of the inverter displayed 14.1 volts all of 120 miles. Reaching our destination-not turning Ram off, we headed back home and "STOP/START UNAVAILABLE" "SERVICE IMMIDIATELY" dash light illuminated. Noticed voltage was now fluctuating 13-12.6 volts all the way home. Took Ram to dealer who informed me that I ruined the E-Torque generator and destroyed the warranty by installing a power inverter. Manager advised that NO RAM with E-Torque could have any power inverter other than the "OEM" 400 watt console receptical and no more than 320 watt draw from it. Really?? $60,000.00 truck and I can't take my disabled wife with me. Ford, GM, and even Dodge Promaster vans are running 3000 watt inverters!! Been asking for help or options on line and now hopefully this forum can guide me to options. Thank you.

 

[dsherman26]

That's a tough one. Chrysler's technical description says the eTorque system has a 3000 watt DC-DC converter to charge the 12 volt battery and power the 12 volt accessories. If they are telling you the motor-generator died, then that implies the converter was able to handle the load, which is well under 3000 watts. Unfortunately, I looked in the owner's manual for mine, and I can't find anything that spells out what the maximum load is for add-on 12 volt accessories, only the 10 amp limit for the 12 volt outlet and the 400 watt limit for the factory inverter. Still, I would argue that if they say if the converter is 3000 watts, then the generator obviously has to be capable of supplying that. Whether that 400 watts is coming from the factory inverter or an aftermarket inverter would make zero difference.

 

[Greg48]

dsherman26 thank you for the reply. Funny thing is that now after 3 days of driving without my added inverter powering the oxygen machine the dash warning light is now out. 14.1 volts at the start battery again. Service dept said I ruined the system and would need the $1700 repair but apparently it fixed itself?????? I need to find out if the generator could safely handle a two battery system if room and if that would help, hurt, or otherwise.

 

[stevenP]

You modifying anything on the truck is just asking for it. I used to be a electronics tech for field service, so I kinda follow your logic. Fact is many of cheapy inverters from ROC, are very "noisy" electrically, and could damage the truck. But the part replacers at the service dept, dont have a clue what you are doing. I would step back and re-think your add ons, if your worried about the warranty at all.

 

[Burla]

If it were me, I'd carry a electric generator separate from the vehicle. Sorry for the disabled wife situation, but the writing is on the wall as far as how complicated e torque is. They have every size under the sun, I'm sure you are looking at 150 to 500 bucks for all your power needs for o2 machine.

 

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

I need to find out if the generator could safely handle a two battery system if room and if that would help, hurt, or otherwise.

Just purchase a Portable 1000-watt inverter power supply, it can supply 12vdc, 120vac, USB, USB-C, I have a Jackery Explorer 1000 and it would work good for what you need, not a good idea to tap into your Electrical system.
Mine has the capability to be charged by solar panel or 120vac charger.

 

[Sandevino]

Check the total load of the system with and without the oxygen machine running. Running straight off the battery the machine is competing with the rest of the charging system and bypasses the battery minder.

I had a similar issue with my HAM radio. I hard wired the radio direct to the terminal and bypassed the battery minder. After an 8 hour POTA event with the truck running all 8 hours my battery voltage was 12-12.6 Volts and I received the same error. The dealer explained the battery minder tells the eTorque generator to increase or decrease output based on the load it sees. If it never sees the load increase it assumes normal power load.

Moving the ground wire behind the battery minder has resulted in zero voltage issues after subsequent POTA events. I also run a laptop and 3 gallon air compressor off the 400W inverter with a power strip. Zero power issues.

Move your ground wire and see if the issue goes away.

 

[dsherman26]

Check the total load of the system with and without the oxygen machine running. Running straight off the battery the machine is competing with the rest of the charging system and bypasses the battery minder.

I had a similar issue with my HAM radio. I hard wired the radio direct to the terminal and bypassed the battery minder. After an 8 hour POTA event with the truck running all 8 hours my battery voltage was 12-12.6 Volts and I received the same error. The dealer explained the battery minder tells the eTorque generator to increase or decrease output based on the load it sees. If it never sees the load increase it assumes normal power load.

Moving the ground wire behind the battery minder has resulted in zero voltage issues after subsequent POTA events. I also run a laptop and 3 gallon air compressor off the 400W inverter with a power strip. Zero power issues.

Move your ground wire and see if the issue goes away.

Interesting, not to hijack the OP's thread too much, but can you tell us where this battery minder is? I'm also a ham, and the normal inclination is to run power directly from the battery. I haven't tried running my 100 watt HF radio, only ran my dual band mobile off the 12 volt outlet at low power.
N8YQM

 

[Sandevino]

Interesting, not to hijack the OP's thread too much, but can you tell us where this battery minder is? I'm also a ham, and the normal inclination is to run power directly from the battery. I haven't tried running my 100 watt HF radio, only ran my dual band mobile off the 12 volt outlet at low power.
N8YQM

This is the battery (minder) sensor that monitors voltage draw and adjusts charging voltage accordingly. Attach your negative lead to the nut shown to add your device voltage draw to the total load. The post can be extended (Home Depot - stainless stud) as needed.

 

[18harvest]

Are you trying to run a home concentrator in the truck?

 

[Randy Grant]

Had the same thing for my Silverado. Ran the home concentrator for hours at a time with no problem. Ran the wires for the inverter right off the econdary battery (diesel) and it worked just fine, These newer trucke ae so full of sensors and computers that it's scary.

 

[clay282]

.

 

[mdc1990zr1]

There's a couple things I am curious about. Are you still running the original battery? If so, that might be the problem. Many of us had issues with the original OEM lead acid batteries causing glitches and issues on their way out. Everything is so sensitive to current consistency, the lead acid batteries would cause problems but still start the truck fine.

If it's the original battery, I'll tell you what I tell everyone... Walmart, 4 year warranty AGM battery for $140 will provide much more smooth power. AND, when you take the old battery out, there's a plastic piece at the back of the battery tray towards the cab, POP THAT OUT! Then you can fit a larger H8 battery in there for the same price.

My next questions would be, how did you tap power for the inverter? We have Ram 1500's in our town as police cars since we're country. Fiends with one of the PD and he told me when I was talking about installing a couple things, I HAD TO TAP THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER for power. He said the fuse box under the steering wheel and the one under the hood would have problems with anything of heavier load. It should pull power from a secondary battery or a tap off the dash. I got one of these... never installed it since the onboard inverter handles the fridge cooler but, might be worth some more research. https://infotainment.com/shop/interior-accessories/wiring/u-intezdc/

Walmart AGM battery has a 4-yr warranty and my choice also. Just bought a H7 for the 2016 1500 but my price in PA was $179. Are they that much cheaper in Arkansas?

 

[farout75]

I installed a 1500 watt power inverter in my 2019 E-Torque Ram to operate my dear wife's oxygen machine pulling 340-420 watts max. Properly sized wire and breaker straight from the 12 volt start battery. We took a necessary 146 mile trip and the system worked flawlessly. The remote of the inverter displayed 14.1 volts all of 120 miles. Reaching our destination-not turning Ram off, we headed back home and "STOP/START UNAVAILABLE" "SERVICE IMMIDIATELY" dash light illuminated. Noticed voltage was now fluctuating 13-12.6 volts all the way home. Took Ram to dealer who informed me that I ruined the E-Torque generator and destroyed the warranty by installing a power inverter. Manager advised that NO RAM with E-Torque could have any power inverter other than the "OEM" 400 watt console receptical and no more than 320 watt draw from it. Really?? $60,000.00 truck and I can't take my disabled wife with me. Ford, GM, and even Dodge Promaster vans are running 3000 watt inverters!! Been asking for help or options on line and now hopefully this forum can guide me to options. Thank you.

Had you asked FCA first it would have saved you a lot.

 

[clay282]

.

 

[Dusty]

View attachment 556450

This is the battery (minder) sensor that monitors voltage draw and adjusts charging voltage accordingly. Attach your negative lead to the nut shown to add your device voltage draw to the total load. The post can be extended (Home Depot - stainless stud) as needed.

In RAM/Chrysler parlance, it's referred to as the Intelligent Battery System or Sensor(IBS).

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 124139 miles.

 

[Greg48]

Check the total load of the system with and without the oxygen machine running. Running straight off the battery the machine is competing with the rest of the charging system and bypasses the battery minder.

I had a similar issue with my HAM radio. I hard wired the radio direct to the terminal and bypassed the battery minder. After an 8 hour POTA event with the truck running all 8 hours my battery voltage was 12-12.6 Volts and I received the same error. The dealer explained the battery minder tells the eTorque generator to increase or decrease output based on the load it sees. If it never sees the load increase it assumes normal power load.

Moving the ground wire behind the battery minder has resulted in zero voltage issues after subsequent POTA events. I also run a laptop and 3 gallon air compressor off the 400W inverter with a power strip. Zero power issues.

Move your ground wire and see if the issue goes away.

Are you trying to run a home concentrator in the truck?

Yes sir I am. An Invacare Platinum 5 drawing 420 watts. I really wasn't expecting much feedback because I thought this situation might be unique. I was wrong. Thankfully forums like this one have offered quite a few suggestions. What really suprised me were the dozens of COPD sufferers with the same delemma as me. One common problem they had? Dodge Ram E-Torque and dealer unwillingness to help.

 

[Greg48]

You modifying anything on the truck is just asking for it. I used to be a electronics tech for field service, so I kinda follow your logic. Fact is many of cheapy inverters from ROC, are very "noisy" electrically, and could damage the truck. But the part replacers at the service dept, dont have a clue what you are doing. I would step back and re-think your add ons, if your worried about the warranty at all.

Had you asked FCA first it would have saved you a lot.

Perhaps. They certainly haven't been helpful. Was even willing to pay a technician the hourly rate to educate me on the E-Torque system. Manager's answer-We don't have anybody!!!!

 

[Greg48]

That's a tough one. Chrysler's technica

Check the total load of the system with and without the oxygen machine running. Running straight off the battery the machine is competing with the rest of the charging system and bypasses the battery minder.

I had a similar issue with my HAM radio. I hard wired the radio direct to the terminal and bypassed the battery minder. After an 8 hour POTA event with the truck running all 8 hours my battery voltage was 12-12.6 Volts and I received the same error. The dealer explained the battery minder tells the eTorque generator to increase or decrease output based on the load it sees. If it never sees the load increase it assumes normal power load.

Moving the ground wire behind the battery minder has resulted in zero voltage issues after subsequent POTA events. I also run a laptop and 3 gallon air compressor off the 400W inverter with a power strip. Zero power issues.

Move your ground wire and see if the issue goes away.

l description says the eTorque system has a 3000 watt DC-DC converter to charge the 12 volt battery and power the 12 volt accessories. If they are telling you the motor-generator died, then that implies the converter was able to handle the load, which is well under 3000 watts. Unfortunately, I looked in the owner's manual for mine, and I can't find anything that spells out what the maximum load is for add-on 12 volt accessories, only the 10 amp limit for the 12 volt outlet and the 400 watt limit for the factory inverter. Still, I would argue that if they say if the converter is 3000 watts, then the generator obviously has to be capable of supplying that. Whether that 400 watts is coming from the factory inverter or an aftermarket inverter would make zero difference

In RAM/Chrysler parlance, it's referred to as the Intelligent Battery System or Sensor(IBS).

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 124139 miles.

Thank you very much sir but I must be missing something. Viewing your attachment of the IBS installing my inverter negative lead to the battery negative post is electrically identical to attaching it to the IBS attaching stud. If you get a chance set me straight.

 

[Greg48]

Interesting, not to hijack the OP's thread too much, but can you tell us where this battery minder is? I'm also a ham, and the normal inclination is to run power directly from the battery. I haven't tried running my 100 watt HF radio, only ran my dual band mobile off the 12 volt outlet at low power.
N8YQM

Trying to understaND WHERE TO PLACE THE INVERTER GROUND. pLACING IT ON THE BATT TERMINAL IS ELECTRICALLY IDENTICAL TO PLACING IT ON THE "IBS" STUD.