12V truck battery to 2000W Power Inverter to 1700w Microwave

chippy818 · Jan 3, 2024

Hello,

So I purchased a Novopal 2000w/4000w(Peak) Pure Sine Wave Inverter DC 12V to 110V/120V.
I purchased this so I can hook it up directly to my truck's 12 volt battery and have it positioned in the flatbed of my truck..
The goal is to have it power my microwave in my flatbed at drop sites. I retrofitted an extension cord to hook up directly to my truck battery
To the flatbed of my truck, where the inverter is positioned alongside my microwave.

As far as the numbers are concerned, this should work. But unfortunately, it's not. I haven't even plugged in my microwave; the inverter is not turning on.
I emailed Novopal And they are telling me that because of the extension cord from my truck battery to the inverter to my flatbed, it's not creating enough power. This sounds ridiculous to me. If I have nothing connected to the inverter to power, it should be powering the inverter to some degree to power anything at any low-wattage draw. But it's not. Am I looking at this incorrectly, or are they completely idiotic with their product?

Avo Mk8 · Jan 3, 2024

chippy818 said:
I retrofitted an extension cord to hook up directly to my truck battery

How heavy duty is the extension cord? It probably needs to be thicker than the wires to your starter motor.
2000watts will take around 150A from the battery. For the inverter to start it may take many tens of amps, and may not tolerate much voltage drop, so may not switch on. If you have a multimeter you could try measuring the battery voltage present at the input of the inverter when you switch it on.

James · Jan 4, 2024

I agree with all the above, you could first of all try connecting it direct to the battery and checking the device turns on and is not faulty.

DPG · Jan 4, 2024

I often find people hugely underestimate just how much power these things will be drawing from the battery, and the gauge of wire needed.

Mikegh · Jan 9, 2024

Would it not be simpler to use an inverter generator

Cahazuka · May 5, 2024

chippy818 said:
Hello,

So I purchased a Novopal 2000w/4000w(Peak) Pure Sine Wave Inverter DC 12V to 110V/120V.
I purchased this so I can hook it up directly to my truck's 12 volt battery and have it positioned in the flatbed of my truck..
The goal is to have it power my microwave in my flatbed at drop sites. I retrofitted an extension cord to hook up directly to my truck battery
To the flatbed of my truck, where the inverter is positioned alongside my microwave.

As far as the numbers are concerned, this should work. But unfortunately, it's not. I haven't even plugged in my microwave; the inverter is not turning on.
I emailed Novopal And they are telling me that because of the extension cord from my truck battery to the inverter to my flatbed, it's not creating enough power. This sounds ridiculous to me. If I have nothing connected to the inverter to power, it should be powering the inverter to some degree to power anything at any low-wattage draw. But it's not. Am I looking at this incorrectly, or are they completely idiotic with their product?

To my knowledge, and I am no pro at this, buuuut I do understand what is going on. Most amps/inverters need amperage!!! If you are running a 16 gauge or 12 gauge ( your typical extension cord) you are starving the inverter for amps. If I was guessing you would need at least a 6 gauge cable to carry the amps the inverter requires. Also for safety you want a fuse or reset able breaker close to the battery where you are connecting it for safety. You will need to check the requirements for the size of fuse from the specs.