Pondering Pellet Pooper Power

I've done some searching here and at the FEC Owner's forum and I have some questions.

The first thing that I am confused about is whether it is ok to use a modified sine wave inverter.

Some seem to advocate only pure sine wave, while others see to have had no problems running modified. I am hesitant to hook up my expensive IQ4 FEC100 to something that may damage it. I have been running my treager off of a power pack (THIS ONE) and I have noticed that the fan seems to run a little faster and as a result the unit runs a little hotter. Also the digital display with the temp will flicker between temperatures every few seconds. I assume this is due to the power pack not providing a very good wave form.

I am sold on the merits of a combo inverter/charger. I am considering purchasing this unit:
http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/257/p/1/pt/8/product.asp

I understand that the FEC100 takes about 450 Watts at start up and about 100 watts after it's going and the treager is similar so this unit might be a little bit of over kill but it something that I can grow into and use for lights or what ever else I may need.

So what say you Brethren, am I on the right track?

Thank you to all for the info, I think I can now make an informed decision.

Ron_L said:

I just bought the Xantrex that you posted. The AC side has to be hard wired so I haven't installed it yet. i used a different inverter/charger with a modified sine wave output for two years with my FEC-100 without issues. The inverter died and the manufacturer told me that their policy was not to repair out of warranty units, so I bought from someone else.

I also asked the folks at Hearthland Products who make the Memphis line of pellet grills/smokers to test a modified sine wave inverter with their controller and their engineer didn't see any issues with it in the lab.

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I think I may get the Xantrex as it is 40% right now.
I don't have a toy hauler (yet) to wire this into but I think I can rig up my own "Power Box" and wire in some receptacles.

Johnny_Crunch said:

Are you using this in remote areas or areas with no power? Buy a Honda EU1000 generator that is super quiet and makes very clean power. Around $800 and you could use it for all kinds of stuff. Probably find a used one for even less. I would imagine this would be a lot more simple than a inverter? Let me know if I am crazy.

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I am thinking of going the inverter route with an eye towards competing in the future. My thinking was that if the comp had a no generator policy this would be an acceptable alternative. If the comp has power I would obviously be using their power but should it cut out this would be a good back up. Also the Honda generators are a bit more spendy here in Kanuckistan, it has an MRSP of $1100.