Freaking Inverter!@

[ljmasonwy]

I tried plugging an electric drill into the 115v receptacle in my dash (2016 3500 Longhorn Laramie CTD) a few years ago, and it didn't work. IF I remember right, the light at the receptacle was on, I plugged the drill in, and pulled the trigger and it died and the light when out.

I occasionally remember it and tried to fix it. I have gone through all the forums that even mention inverters with not joy.

I have visually and electronically tested every fuse and relay in the fuse box (power distribution center) under the hood. F38 30 Amp, Power inverter, F39 20 Amp Power Outlet Special Services only, F90/F91 20 Amp Power Outlet Customer Selectable, F93 20 Amp Cigar lighter, F100 10 Amp Upfitters if equipped, F104 20 Amp Power Outlet Center Consoles.

I do not have another power center/Fuse box in the cab. I can feel around the inverter and there is a single cable plugged into it, and no reset switch.

Is there anything else I need to check? Is there an upgrade for a bit more power? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[stimpy433]

I know the outlet isn’t good for much more then charging a cell phone or laptop.... it won’t run any kind of pump or power tool at all. Basically worthless I my opinion.

 

[kad]

Unfortunately, the wiring in the harness is not rated to handle any more power than the factory unit (150 watt), so wiring in an aftermarket inverter is not really a good idea. They didn't give us a real usable inverter until the 5th gen trucks (400 watt I believe).

That said, I went through the trouble to install the complete factory system in my 2014 truck last year (It did not come with it from the factory.)

There is, iirc, only 1 fuse for the inverter, that's the F38 one you already checked. All the others you mentioned are for various 12v outlets.

There are two other power connections in the system, but one you'd know if it was blown as the truck would not run and the other does not affect the operation.

The first comes from the BCM. If somehow the BCM got damaged when things were overloaded I think you'd have to replace the BCM to fix it. Not worth it IMO.

The second is a connection to fuse F79 that is used to dim the indicator light when the interior lights are on.

So... It sounds to me as if either the 30amp fuse is blown and the visual inspection isn't showing it or the inverter itself is damaged. Or, you melted a wire in the harness. That could be difficult to track down.

If you want to see details on the wiring, check my post here: https://www.ramforum.com/threads/how-to-add-power-inverter-2017-ram.109105/#post-1951091

If you're handy with a meter you should be able to trace/check the wiring using the info in that post.

-K

 

[crazykid1994]

I’d bet the inverter is shot. Not rated for much more than plugging in a Cellphone charger or maybe a small laptop. 150 watts is merely 1.25 amps of power Most power drills are probably double that or more

 

[Razzman]

The inverter can be useful as long as it's used within it's capabilities, just have to be realistic. I've charged phones, tablets, Garmin golf GPS, portable battery packs and Ryobi tool batteries. Operated a full size laptop, lights, pumped up Aerobed mattresses and even a small coffee maker. Just don't expect to use anything high watts/amps is all.

 

[LeesEvoX]

Just remember this for figuring out if you inverter will work..

Volts x Amps = watts

So doing that backward to give you the max amp rating of your tool would give you 1.25A max as already mentioned.

Thank god the newer trucks have a 400W inverter. So can handle just over 3 amps

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