Patent ID: 7151326

Claim:
A system for powering an at least one electrical device in a truck with an engine while the truck's engine is turned off, the system comprising: a primary power supply comprising an alternator and an at least one battery of the truck; a secondary power supply; an auxiliary power storage means for storing power comprising an at least one auxiliary power storage unit; a first operating circuit connecting the primary power supply to the auxiliary power storage means, comprising a first switching means for selectively actuating the first operating circuit to direct power from the primary power supply to charge the at least one power storage unit of the auxiliary power storage means while the truck's engine is turned on; a second operating circuit connecting the secondary power supply to the auxiliary power storage means, comprising a first circuit breaker; a second switching means for selectively actuating the second operating circuit to direct power from the secondary power supply to charge the at least one power storage unit of the auxiliary power storage means; and, a third operating circuit connecting the auxiliary power storage means to an at least one electrical outlet in the truck, comprising the at least one electrical outlet into which the at least one electrical device may be plugged; and, a third switching means for selectively actuating the third operating circuit to direct power from the auxiliary power storage means to the at least one electrical outlet; wherein a system is provided to safely and efficiently capture power being generated by the primary and secondary power supplies, to store the captured power in the auxiliary power storage means, and to maintain the charge of the at least one auxiliary power storage units by using the secondary power supply when the primary power supply is turned off so as to enable the at least one electrical device to run on power generated by the secondary power supply or stored in the at least one auxiliary power storage unit over an extended period of time while the truck is turned off without depleting the charge of the at least one auxiliary power storage unit and while minimizing stress on the secondary power supply.