Inverter Question

smith10210 · Post by **smith10210** » Thu. Dec. 13, 2007 1:54 pm

Just wondering if a 400 watt inverter would work for my pioneer incase I lost power. I was looking at this not to sure if it would work http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_20 ... _200321635. I like the idea of it already having a battery built in and can switch on automatically when you loose power.

WNY · Post by **WNY** » Thu. Dec. 13, 2007 2:26 pm

Without knowing the exact stove requirements, hard to say, It should be close. Most of the stoves probably draw a little less than the 400watt....If you had a Volt/Current/Watt Meter you could measure it.

My Hifire with the 2 stokers, 2 blowers etc.. running pulls around 336 watts (2.8 Amps (I) x 120 Volts (V)= (P) 336 Watts. Funny, I just checked it the other day. My Keystoker is around 225 Watts (1.875 amps).

To calucate
Power (Watts) = Voltage (120V) x Current (I)

This is just a rough estimate, yours is probably lower with only 1 burner/stoker.

Also, depending on the output type (Sine, Modified sine or Square wave) your motors may hum a bit, but they will still work. True Sine Wave Inverters can be much more expensive.

av8r · Post by **av8r** » Thu. Dec. 13, 2007 2:28 pm

smith10210 wrote:Just wondering if a 400 watt inverter would work for my pioneer incase I lost power. I was looking at this not to sure if it would work http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_20 ... _200321635. I like the idea of it already having a battery built in and can switch on automatically when you loose power.

Similar unit from them has gotten decent reviews:

Only $116
http://computers.pricegrabber.com/upss/m/18451181/details/

You'll want to shut the convection fan off to increase run time.

Figure 15% loss in the inverter and another 10-15% in the battery. Figure about 1/2 the run time they list. Unless you buy really high end units, you'll never get what they say.

Personally, I'm going to use a couple of deep cycle batts from my camper ($52 at Sams) and a $80 250 watt inverter for my unit, but the auto switch-over would be a nice feature if the power goes out when everyone is asleep.

Check out the Cyberpower, Belkin, APC, etc computer UPS systems. You can get them pretty cheap at local big box stores like Sams, Target, Walmart, etc.

WNY · Post by **WNY** » Thu. Dec. 13, 2007 3:50 pm

I have a UPS for a computer on mine (800-100Watt roughly), I am going to hook up a couple of external vehicle batteries shortly to increase the run time, but it holds it for 15-20mins (max) for now. Longer, I will have to break out the generator.....

smith10210 · Post by **smith10210** » Thu. Dec. 13, 2007 5:57 pm

av8r wrote:
smith10210 wrote:Just wondering if a 400 watt inverter would work for my pioneer incase I lost power. I was looking at this not to sure if it would work http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_20 ... _200321635. I like the idea of it already having a battery built in and can switch on automatically when you loose power.
Similar unit from them has gotten decent reviews:

Only $116
http://computers.pricegrabber.com/upss/m/18451181/details/

You'll want to shut the convection fan off to increase run time.

Figure 15% loss in the inverter and another 10-15% in the battery. Figure about 1/2 the run time they list. Unless you buy really high end units, you'll never get what they say.

Personally, I'm going to use a couple of deep cycle batts from my camper ($52 at Sams) and a $80 250 watt inverter for my unit, but the auto switch-over would be a nice feature if the power goes out when everyone is asleep.

Check out the Cyberpower, Belkin, APC, etc computer UPS systems. You can get them pretty cheap at local big box stores like Sams, Target, Walmart, etc.

I don't see the auto switch feature listed on this model though hmm. Maybe I'll stick with the other one. I was going do what you are planning on but the auto switch feature is what I need because we get alot of power outages here in the winter and they seem to happen late at night..

Ahshucks · Post by **Ahshucks** » Mon. Feb. 25, 2008 9:49 am

Considering that a MSW inverter unit may eventually burn out your motors, you might consider investing in a sine wave inverter/charger. A all in one unit - hands off except for maintenance of wet cell batteries.

http://www.stovesentry.com/?p=surefireheater
http://www.donrowe.com/inverters/puresine.html

Auto Switching Unit:
http://tekrispower.com/inverters/product_info.php ... bc27800a2e