Portable power source

WineMaster · 07-07-2009, 03:43 PM

I am clueless about electicity, does anyone use a portable source for a Pellet Cooker or do you have to go with a generator. After a few minutes they are using very little power i thought.

Thanks Dan

Smokin Mike · 07-07-2009, 05:56 PM

wouldn't a converter about 400 watts (cheap sams or costco), which I have and a marine battery work?

I did it once with my FEC to see, I got over 20 hours,,,,,

it's just a computer fan, a auger, and some computer parts, not much,,,,

snoqualmiesmoker · 07-07-2009, 07:16 PM

I know a couple of guys who use that setup. They run a Texas and an FEC off of two batteries.

Pork Barrel Project · 07-07-2009, 09:37 PM

I run my CTO off a marine battery and an 1100 watt inverter. I believe a pellet pooper has a similar appetite for juice overall. In my case, the rating of the inverter is overkill (Volts x Amps = Watts needed), but I wanted some fudge factor and the price difference between 800 and 1100 watts was negligible.

The CTO uses 1.5 amps so that amount times the voltage equals 180 watts from the inverter to run my OH. But, I also run rope lights and the XM from the battery, so I opted for a larger inverter.

My fully charged Group 27 deep cycle battery will easily provide all the power I need over a contest weeked.

n-2-que · 07-09-2009, 07:08 AM

i use a deep cycle battery and 400 watt inverter for my fec100 runs like a champ for long cooks

Wampus · 07-09-2009, 07:53 AM

What......they don't give each one of you guys an outlet at the comps?
Fend fer yourself, huh?

(I've never comp'd....so don't know)

Pork Barrel Project · 07-09-2009, 08:27 AM

It depends on the location of the contest so each one is different. A few are held in campgrounds and RV parks with plenty of power at each site. At others, electrical supply is much more limited.

Sometimes the cost is included in the entry fee and at others there's a significant upcharge for electrical service. Even then, the power supply coiuld be dirty and unreliable and can fry electrical components with spikes and low voltage.

Since I don't compete out of an RV, I see no point in paying extra for electricity. My power needs aren't yet enough to justify getting a portable generator so a battery and inverter fits the bill perfectly for now.

BRBBQ · 07-09-2009, 08:49 AM

I'm glad to see this question, I really hated to spend $1k or more for a generator power source. What sucks is I just got rid of my deep cell marine batteries, now I'll have to buy another. So If I understand correctly use a deep cell that has a lot of run time? Do they sell some kind of charging plug that you can plug into your vechicle and into the inverter just incase your battery takes a dive? Of course it'd have to be more then 3 feet long.

Pork Barrel Project · 07-09-2009, 11:10 AM

As for what to do if the battery takes a dive, it's not recommended to recharge a battery while an appliance (like an inverter and whatever is plugged into it) is also drawing from it. Circuitry in the inverter cuts it off once the voltage from the battery drops below a certain point. This is done to protect the appliances from burning out due to low voltage.

If the battery was being recharged while also under load, the voltage cutoff would constantly be kicking on and off.

07-07-2009, 03:43 PM	#1
WineMaster Babbling Farker Join Date: 01-16-07 Location: Southern MN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Portable power source I am clueless about electicity, does anyone use a portable source for a Pellet Cooker or do you have to go with a generator. After a few minutes they are using very little power i thought. Thanks Dan __________________ Dan MJH From Backyard Bomber BBQ ---- X 2 Junior & Stretch 22.5 Weber Kettle Blue Thermopen Comp Team Wine & Swine This is funner than chuckin rocks at a sign. John Godwin (Duck Dynasty)

07-07-2009, 05:56 PM	#2
Smokin Mike is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-06-07 Location: Kansas City Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	wouldn't a converter about 400 watts (cheap sams or costco), which I have and a marine battery work? I did it once with my FEC to see, I got over 20 hours,,,,, it's just a computer fan, a auger, and some computer parts, not much,,,, __________________ Disco Pigs competition team Sponsored by Oakridge BBQ Yoder 640 Yoder 1320 UDS (Snail barrel) FEC-100 X2 Traeger 124 (older american made model) WSM, one touch kettle gasser from costco, KCBS CBJ

07-07-2009, 07:16 PM	#3
snoqualmiesmoker is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 06-01-04 Location: Snoqualmie, wa Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I know a couple of guys who use that setup. They run a Texas and an FEC off of two batteries. __________________ Large Big Green Egg Weber Kettle Blue 22 Weber Smokey Joe Weber Gold Genesis (Sadly, this did not come with a long keyboard solo) 1 ~ 3-year old Princess 1 ~ 1-year old Caveman 1 Chihuahua Wife [url]http://jimmysbigegg.blogspot.com/[/url]

07-09-2009, 07:08 AM	#5
n-2-que is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 11-08-06 Location: Iowa City, IA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	i use a deep cycle battery and 400 watt inverter for my fec100 runs like a champ for long cooks __________________ Cook Brisket Bill - Cook - KCBS Judge Dianne- Go Getter - KCBS Judge Cooker CookShack- Fec100 BGE - Extra Large with Table Weber- 22 inch Kettle ______________ www.n2que.com

07-09-2009, 07:53 AM	#6
Wampus somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 06-05-09 Location: Mooresville, IN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	What......they don't give each one of you guys an outlet at the comps? Fend fer yourself, huh? (I've never comp'd....so don't know) __________________ Big JT's Smokin' BBQ Competition Team “If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. We need not wait to see what others do.” - Mahatma Gandhi

07-07-2009, 09:37 PM	#4
Pork Barrel Project Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 05-25-07 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I run my CTO off a marine battery and an 1100 watt inverter. I believe a pellet pooper has a similar appetite for juice overall. In my case, the rating of the inverter is overkill (Volts x Amps = Watts needed), but I wanted some fudge factor and the price difference between 800 and 1100 watts was negligible. The CTO uses 1.5 amps so that amount times the voltage equals 180 watts from the inverter to run my OH. But, I also run rope lights and the XM from the battery, so I opted for a larger inverter. My fully charged Group 27 deep cycle battery will easily provide all the power I need over a contest weeked.

07-09-2009, 08:27 AM	#7
Pork Barrel Project Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 05-25-07 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	It depends on the location of the contest so each one is different. A few are held in campgrounds and RV parks with plenty of power at each site. At others, electrical supply is much more limited. Sometimes the cost is included in the entry fee and at others there's a significant upcharge for electrical service. Even then, the power supply coiuld be dirty and unreliable and can fry electrical components with spikes and low voltage. Since I don't compete out of an RV, I see no point in paying extra for electricity. My power needs aren't yet enough to justify getting a portable generator so a battery and inverter fits the bill perfectly for now.

07-09-2009, 08:49 AM	#8
BRBBQ is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 06-05-08 Location: Council Bluffs, Iowa Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I'm glad to see this question, I really hated to spend $1k or more for a generator power source. What sucks is I just got rid of my deep cell marine batteries, now I'll have to buy another. So If I understand correctly use a deep cell that has a lot of run time? Do they sell some kind of charging plug that you can plug into your vechicle and into the inverter just incase your battery takes a dive? Of course it'd have to be more then 3 feet long.

07-09-2009, 11:10 AM	#9
Pork Barrel Project Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 05-25-07 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	As for what to do if the battery takes a dive, it's not recommended to recharge a battery while an appliance (like an inverter and whatever is plugged into it) is also drawing from it. Circuitry in the inverter cuts it off once the voltage from the battery drops below a certain point. This is done to protect the appliances from burning out due to low voltage. If the battery was being recharged while also under load, the voltage cutoff would constantly be kicking on and off.

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