Running inverter whilst driving

[PJGWiltshire]

Some comfort advice from any in the know.

We are due to set off for a few months run around. As per normal during the preparation stage there is always something found to be bust.
In this case its the old Sat Nav system,
It appears that the battery has failed and a replacement cannot be obtained prior to our departure date at the end of next week.

All is not lost: The Sat Nav works when plugged into 240v but the battery will not charge or hold a charge.

My question to help me sleep easier is around running an inverter full time whilst driving along.
You see I can switch the inverter on and then the Sat Nav will be fed on 240v supply and then the little box can guide me to pastures new.
From anyone out there in the know, will the running of the inverter, (obviously only drawing the power to operate itself and supply a few amp draw to run the Sat Nav), whilst driving along cause any issues. The batteries would not be drawing very much but at the same time would be receiving a charge from the B2B. Does charging and drawing at the same time cause issues with the batteries.

Any guidance would be helpful

 

[jockaneezer]

I've run my inverter while driving for recharging the ebike batteries and once when the van's aircon had failed, we used the inverter to run our fan heater on cold to keep the dogs cool.

 

[Armytwowheels]

We regularly travel with the inverter on for various reasons - slow cooker cooking, charging whatever, forgetting to turn it off being the main one.

 

[jumar]

We regularly travel with the inverter on for various reasons - slow cooker cooking, charging whatever, forgetting to turn it off being the main one.

Just knew there would be food connection in your reply...

 

[bigtwin]

A mains powered sat nav, that’s very unusual. Most can be powered via a USB lead. Are you sure that isn't an option?

Ian

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[Beltie]

You could always try an atlas! Seriously though, surely you can pick up a new satnav or even a replacement battery by the end of next week.

 

[DDJC]

Is there any noticeable loss of MPG if you run the inverter while driving?

 

[Armytwowheels]

Just knew there would be food connection in your reply...

Of course!!

 

[jumar]

Is there any noticeable loss of MPG if you run the inverter while driving?

Is that a serious question...or a wind up....

 

[PJGWiltshire]

A mains powered sat nav, that’s very unusual. Most can be powered via a USB lead. Are you sure that isn't an option?

Ian

It works on mains when lugging the connecting cable that has the usb end connector into the iPhone charging plug. Works straight away in 240v supply. When I use the 12v push cigar type charger or plug direct into usb connector on the dash no power up. The screen just shows the bouncing charging lights but never boots up

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[jumar]

I've run my inverter while driving for recharging the ebike batteries and once when the van's aircon had failed, we used the inverter to run our fan heater on cold to keep the dogs cool.

eBike batteries charge well while driving between overnight locations if charged via an inverter...but may take longer than expected.... priority given to Starter and Leisure battery....

 

[PJGWiltshire]

You could always try an atlas! Seriously though, surely you can pick up a new satnav or even a replacement battery by the end of next week.

The sat nav is £300. Do not wish to buy a replacement if can be repaired. It’s down to timing so if it’s safe to run on inverter that will do till we get back

 

[pappajohn]

Time for a new satnav.

If it isn't powered by USB it must be ancient though I suspect 0lugging into mains actually means plugging in a USB adaptor the same as a phone charger so it will run off a 12v USB socket and doesn't need an inverter.

 

[jongood]

Some comfort advice from any in the know.

We are due to set off for a few months run around. As per normal during the preparation stage there is always something found to be bust.
In this case its the old Sat Nav system,
It appears that the battery has failed and a replacement cannot be obtained prior to our departure date at the end of next week.

All is not lost: The Sat Nav works when plugged into 240v but the battery will not charge or hold a charge.

My question to help me sleep easier is around running an inverter full time whilst driving along.
You see I can switch the inverter on and then the Sat Nav will be fed on 240v supply and then the little box can guide me to pastures new.
From anyone out there in the know, will the running of the inverter, (obviously only drawing the power to operate itself and supply a few amp draw to run the Sat Nav), whilst driving along cause any issues. The batteries would not be drawing very much but at the same time would be receiving a charge from the B2B. Does charging and drawing at the same time cause issues with the batteries.

Any guidance would be helpful

Google maps on your phone. My garmin stays in the cupboard these days.

 

[PJGWiltshire]

Google maps on your phone. My garmin stays in the cupboard these days.

But does using the maps on your phone use your phone data up. Now new restriction on usage whilst over tge water need to take tfat into account

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[DDJC]

Is that a serious question...or a wind up....

Serious question.
I lose 1MPG if my cab aircon is on.

 

[jongood]

But does using the maps on your phone use your phone data up. Now new restriction on usage whilst over tge water need to take tfat into account

Not sure but if it does its not much.

 

[jumar]

Serious question.
I lose 1MPG if my cab aircon is on.

Yep...me too...we run Aircon 8 months of the year....but that's Engine driven....but an inverter connected to a battery which in turn is being charged from an alternator....does that have an effect on MPG..

 

[DDJC]

Yep...me too...we run Aircon 8 months of the year....but that's Engine driven....but an inverter connected to a battery which in turn is being charged from an alternator....does that have an effect on MPG..

That's my question. If I run the main Truma hab aircon off the inverter, how much will my MPG fall by, if at all?

 

[autorouter]

The ans

will the running of the inverter, (obviously only drawing the power to operate itself and supply a few amp draw to run the Sat Nav), whilst driving along cause any issues.

The answer is it won't cause any issues. Many people used to use small 150W inverters to power laptop chargers in the old days before 12V laptop chargers became widely available. It will take maybe 50% more power than the satnav takes from 12V, which isn't much anyway. But remember an inverter takes a small drain even with nothing plugged in, so best to disconnect it when not in use.

However if the satnav works OK from a USB designed for an iPhone, but not from the others, it sounds like all you need is a good USB adapter. These adapters have evolved from the old 500mA originals to the later 1A, 2.1A or 2.4A types. Even better, they can communicate with some devices using the two extra data wires, and can increase the voltage and current if the device requests it. iPhones can do this, for example. What you need is a USB adapter with QuickCharge facility, labelled 'QC3' or maybe later versions like QC4 etc.

I'm assuming the satnav has a 'micro-USB' input plug, so the connecting wire has a rectangular 'Type-A' USB plug at the other end. If it has a USB-C plug, like many modern smartphones, then an adapter with a USB-C socket with PD (= Power Delivery) is what you want.

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[bigtwin]

Yep...me too...we run Aircon 8 months of the year....but that's Engine driven....but an inverter connected to a battery which in turn is being charged from an alternator....does that have an effect on MPG..

Theoretically, yes, it’s a load.

Practically, doubtful, but rather depends on the size of the inverter/load.

Ian

 

[PJGWiltshire]

The ans
The answer is it won't cause any issues. Many people used to use small 150W inverters to power laptop chargers in the old days before 12V laptop chargers became widely available. It will take maybe 50% more power than the satnav takes from 12V, which isn't much anyway. But remember an inverter takes a small drain even with nothing plugged in, so best to disconnect it when not in use.

However if the satnav works OK from a USB designed for an iPhone, but not from the others, it sounds like all you need is a good USB adapter. These adapters have evolved from the old 500mA originals to the later 1A, 2.1A or 2.4A types. Even better, they can communicate with some devices using the two extra data wires, and can increase the voltage and current if the device requests it. iPhones can do this, for example. What you need is a USB adapter with QuickCharge facility, labelled 'QC3' or maybe later versions like QC4 etc.

I'm assuming the satnav has a 'micro-USB' input plug, so the connecting wire has a rectangular 'Type-A' USB plug at the other end. If it has a USB-C plug, like many modern smartphones, then an adapter with a USB-C socket with PD (= Power Delivery) is what you want.

It’s the micro to type A usb

 

[pappajohn]

It’s the micro to type A usb

So just use a USB lead into a dash cig lighter socket adaptor if you don't have a convenient dash USB socket.
Totally pointless inverting 12vdc to 230vac then reducing it to 5vdc via the USB plug.

 

[Northernraider]

My inverter is running 24/7 powering my fridge and all the van electrics

 

[Tigger-Tim]

But does using the maps on your phone use your phone data up. Now new restriction on usage whilst over tge water need to take tfat into account

You can download the maps for the areas you'll cover (over wifi) before the trip.

The actual navigation then uses very little.

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[Catpirate]

It works on mains when lugging the connecting cable that has the usb end connector into the iPhone charging plug. Works straight away in 240v supply. When I use the 12v push cigar type charger or plug direct into usb connector on the dash no power up. The screen just shows the bouncing charging lights but never boots up

HI Many satnavs require higher power than a USB point can provide. Usually the supplied cigar lighter point is sufficient. A solution is to "hardwire" the 12v cigar connector into the vehicle wiring. There are posts on this, problems do occur when the male cigar connection bounces from the vehicle female connection, this is common.

 

[Reallyretired]

No problem running an inverter while driving. We used to regularly run our slow cooker while driving.
It may in theory reduce your mpg by putting a tiny extra load on the alternator but it would need very sensitive equipment to measure it.

 

[Spriddler]

Serious question.
I lose 1MPG if my cab aircon is on.

There's no way that I can accurately and consistently determine my diesel consumption to within + or - 1 mpg, plus the variables of road conditions, geography, wind direction, different fuel brands...........

 

[autorouter]

It’s the micro to type A usb

I'd suggest something like this one, which has a QC3 socket.
Amazon product ASIN B09F6LVLGJ

 

[DDJC]

There's no way that I can accurately and consistently determine my diesel consumption to within + or - 1 mpg, plus the variables of road conditions, geography, wind direction, different fuel brands...........

Never mind then. I just wondered whether anyone knew.

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