power inverter for an FEC

[monty3777]

I have done a search and haven't found any recent posts that help with this question. I am looking for an alternartive to expensive Honda generators to power the FEC at a comp. The only thing I can think of is using a power inverter hooked up to a battery. I have a call into Cookshack but thought this thread could help others as well. Would this work? Do any of you do it? Can you recommend an inverter (size, brand)?

[Finney]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TKHMWK?tag=my155-20

[G$]

Will be interesting to hear from cookshack what the actual power draw is.

[DMDon]

Monty, This is what I used to use. I still have it if your interested.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...3480_200313480

[DMDon]

Originally Posted by G$

Will be interesting to hear from cookshack what the actual power draw is.

According to their advertising 2.5 amp with ignitor on, .83 with out. Draws 300w on and 100w off

[Buster Dog BBQ]

I would give it some hard thought on a generator. Even a Honda 2000. Think about what all you might want power for.

Not sure if you know Harlyn but he uses two marine batteries to power his with an inverter. Do you have a way to recharge a battery if needed?

[monty3777]

Originally Posted by DMDon

Monty, This is what I used to use. I still have it if your interested.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...3480_200313480

How loud is this? I was next to an ice cream vendor in Marshalltown and I could have killed the guy. Though, I'm sure if you guys used it it must have been quiet enough.

[Ron_L]

I use an inverter/battery combo at every comp and it works well. The actual power draw once the igniter turns off is about 60w, so you can run a long time with a marine battery. I bought an inverter/battery charger combo that will automatically switch from AC power to the battery if the AC power fails, so I haven't had to run a full comp off of the battery alone.

[Buster Dog BBQ]

What brand/model is that Ron. That sounds excellent. Does it make a noise if that happens so you know to switch? I would assume the FEC needs restarted?

Last year in Nevada my low oil warning shut off my generator and I was lucky enough to catch it about 10 min after but had no real warning.

[Smoke'n Ice]

I use dual marine/rv deep cycles and a Freedom Combi 458 inverter/charger. This arrangement carries an FEC100, a Traeger 070, three florescent lights, lcd tv, radio and water pump going for about 12 hours if AC fails. The only way I know it has kicked in is the Air Conditioner goes off as it is on a different circuit. Been using for several years now with no problems.

[DMDon]

Originally Posted by monty3777

How loud is this? I was next to an ice cream vendor in Marshalltown and I could have killed the guy. Though, I'm sure if you guys used it it must have been quiet enough.

I think the specs says 69dB. I have used it at comps with no problems as far as noise. Bob built a box that fits over it to make it evan more quiet and still allows the air flow. Its really not needed, but doesn't hurt either.

[bigdogphin]

I use 2 deep cycle rv/marine batteries and a 750w inverter from napa ran for 20 hours no problems.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Buster Dog BBQ

What brand/model is that Ron. That sounds excellent. Does it make a noise if that happens so you know to switch? I would assume the FEC needs restarted?

Last year in Nevada my low oil warning shut off my generator and I was lucky enough to catch it about 10 min after but had no real warning.

http://www.donrowe.com/inverters/xm_1800.html

This is the one that I bought for the back of my RV to run my mini fridge when I am going down the road... Have it hooked up to 2 marine batteries. It has a charger built it. It also has an auto switch so if you lose power, it goes to battery power. As for an alarm. I use one of those cpap alrams that off off if the power goes out in the RV... The inverter has one on it, but it's not loud enough. I would have no problem using this inverter for my FE's... I have a Honda 6500, so generally I don't panic about power too often...

[Buster Dog BBQ]

Thanks Scottie. I am near deaf in one ear. This will be great.

[Butcher BBQ]

We have taken a standard battery charger from Napa and hooked it to a deep cycle marine battery, from there we use a Tripp Lite 1000 watt inverter and have it hooked to the battery also and run the FEC's thru it. We can run electric from the cookoff site or thru my generator but if we loose electric the inverter doesn't know this and keeps on working. But on the other side the battery stays completely charged thru the cook cycle with the battery charger just incase I have to go on straight battery to finish the cook. We run 2 FEC's with this one system.