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Feel at Ease: Factory Installation is Safe & Economical
Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Since 2005 inverter shipments worldwide have increased 63 percent as truck operators and others realize the convenience of having electrical home amenities, such as TV’s, microwaves, etc… in their vehicle. Inverter usage is expected to grow further as shipments are projected to rise 40 percent from 2011 to 2015, according to a leading market research firm. The proliferation of inverters in commercial trucks has brought to light concerns about safety, asset protection and economic factors all of which are best addressed through installation by truck manufacturers (OEM).
Xantrex, a manufacturer of onboard power products for commercial trucks recommends inverters or inverter/chargers be installed by a truck OEM or authorized dealer in order to provide safe and efficient on-the-road electricity. Contrary to general perception, truck OEM installation is both cost-effective and can benefit fleets and owner operators in the long run. Inverter/Charger cost can often be included as part of the overall truck financing and vehicle warranty which keeps fleets from having to worry about finding the cash and time off the road for an installation later. Xantrex works very closely with major truck OEMs to design and deliver power solutions that meet the required standards of safety and quality.
A Xantrex inverter/charger powers cabin loads without idling utilizing the truck batteries, transferring these loads to shorepower when available and using this incoming power to charge the batteries. This results in decreased emissions and fuel consumption enabling fleets to comply with anti-idling legislations.
“For fleets aiming to retain drivers and provide them with a more comfortable experience in the cab, adding an inverter/charger will go a long way toward job satisfaction,” said Steve Carlson, Xantrex OEM Sales Manager. “When you have the inverter/charger factory installed, the manufacturer uses the proper size cables, fuses and components for the system. OEM or authorized dealer installation will give the fleet operator confidence that the inverter/charger unit will function properly without harming the truck’s electrical system.”
“There is a big difference between tackling your own wiring at home and wiring a vehicle that vibrates down the road all day long”, added Carlson. “A common mistake people make when installing a system is using under-sized battery cable that can lead to over-heating of the cable and consequent damage to the truck and property and risk to personal safety. It is also critical to ascertain if an inverter is compliant with UL (Underwriters Laboratory) standard 458. Products certified to UL458 standards maintain high electrical standards for safety and are designed to withstand the rigors of demanding in vehicle applications. Many power products in the aftermarket don’t carry the UL listing, which is recommended by many trucking industry associations. Xantrex products for the commercial truck market meet UL458 and other application-specific standards.”
The OEM installation is safe, convenient, and economical in the long run and provides peace of mind knowing the work was done to required specifications. Xantrex strongly recommends power installation by truck OEMs, most of which offer Xantrex product as an option. If you decide to add an inverter/charger later, Xantrex suggests having it professionally installed at an authorized OEM dealer or qualified service location.