Hello everyone i have an 03 harley davidson f-150 and i am having what appears to be a shortage of power. I installed an xm radio, fm modulator, a small 6" lcd screen, and an old desktop computer which is running off of a power interverter. All that seems to be dropping the voltage to below acceptable levels because the computer starts having problems running and the lcd screen gets interference. I was wondering if anyone knew of a way to overcome this? Would a higher quality battery fix it? Or do i have to run 2 batteries, or even a better alternator? Thanks in advance for any help!

 

my guess is you probably want both. Get a optima yellow top and a high output alternator.

Are you sure the output level of the inverter can handle a desktop? My desktop has a 400 watt power supply, which i know it doesnt use all of, but its at least in the 200 zone.

 

Thank you for the reply grinomyte, i am using an old 700mhz system with a 250watt psu, but even then its probably pulling about 150 watts. I know its not a problem with the inverter becuase i plugged the inverter into a desktop DC power supply to test it and the computer ran perfectly. So that means its a problem with the truck. When you said i need both, did you mean i need a dual battery setup and a new alternator? Also, do you think i would be ok if i used a mini itx system instead? Something like that would probably only pull around 60 watts i would guess.

 

i don't think you'll need dual battery unless your running the machine with the truck off alot. I think just a yellow top and a high output alternator would do it.

Why not buy a laptop and use that instead? Much less power draw.

 

I think the solution is to just run a direct hookup to the battery itself. Right now i am using an inverter through a cigarette lighter and it isn't working.. I just don't know how i can get a cable from inside the truck to the battery without drilling holes.

 

is the power inverter big enough to power a PC? don't be fooled by cheap ones! get one thats bigger than what you need.

did you think that the interference on your LCD screen could be caused by the inverter and/or PC?

the wiring on the cig lighter may not be able to handle the current needed for the inverter..

 

I would say the inverter is your problem, when inverters are pushed too hard they will generate lots of noise which is being picked up by your screen.

 

thanks for the replies everyone. After testing more last night i agree that it is the inverter. Does anyone know of any high quality inverters?