A simple generator.

Hello All,

Just happened across this post and would like to know what the consensus is with regards to powering the following items with a power inverter? Use it with an idling car or don't? Hook up 1/2/3 car batteries?

1) Freezer operates at 115V, 60Hz & 5amps
2) Refrigerator operates (???) - can't pull it away from the wall now
3) Flowbee: 800 max Watts of suction

I could deal without the Flowbee if absolutely necessary.

Thanks for the input.

Actually, if you are talking about hooking up the inverter to your auto's battery and electrical system, I doubt you could get much continuous wattage. After the first few minutes (as the battery drains), your maximum watts will be limited to the output of your alternator (regardless of the horsepower of your car). Check your car's manual. I'm sure it ain't no 2,000 watts.

about 7 years ago i bought one of these...

http://www.head-units.com/vector_power_inverter.htm

2200 watts continuous / 4500 watts peak, soft start technology, auto reset for over voltage, under voltage, overload or over temperature after problem is corrected, turbo cooling, noise free technology, direct connection terminal block for higher power loads, overload protection, dual 15-amp (panel mounted circuit breaker).
$379ea

i use it on job sites where there is no power and when the power goes out at home. i can run anything that is 110V off of it...works great hooked to my car as it idles all night. i've ran my deep freezer, fridge, lights and furnace with it all at the same time. i highly recommend then to anyone. i could even probably run my well pump off of it if i took the time to wire 2 -110 lines to make 220 but i've never taken the time.

Yeah well but what's the bore and stroke in your van compared to a small generator? Sure you could do it in a pinch. I actually hooked up my Christmas lights to my battery bank threw an inverter. This allows me to not have to use my propane by using two electric ceramic heaters without stressing the circuit. But I'm charging electrically 110w threw a a converter.

Anyway, you're probably burning more fuel idling your vehicle than running a generator. Yo can also get tri-fuel generators and run Propane or Natural gas. Which burn cleaner and gives you some added versatility.

"Moreover, as America becomes an increasingly multicultural society, it may find it more difficult to fashion a consensus on foreign policy issues, except in the circumstances of a truly massive and widely perceived direct external threat."

got an 5000watt max AIMS modified sine wave inverter for 80.00 last week on craigslist. I bout shit my drawers.

equals watts. this works very well. it even applies to a/c power if the circuit is resistive. that means, no magnetism involved. motors, ballast's etc.
an inverter is not very practical. but it can be done. it would be wiser to buy a small generator for just the fridge and the furnace. [natural gas only] most furnaces are 115volt. this means you can just install a pigtail for the generator.
if anyone is really serious in doing this, I will crunch the numbers for you.
motors are "inductive"loads. they have high "inrush" currents when starting. do not try to start them under a load and it will work better. stage them in........
I am a master HVAC/R tech.

" the important thing is to never stop questioning, curiousity, has it's own reason for existing..
Albert Einstien

No one has mentioned another possible problem with the idea of letting your car idle all night long for electricity. Many older car engines will overheat when idling long periods of time because their radiator water cooling systems have deteriorated and don't work well enough anymore. Overheating an engine can easily cause serious damage to the engine causing it to not run anymore and costing many hundreds of dollars to fix.

Therefore, anyone thinking of doing this should make sure the radiator is full of water before starting the engine and then giving it a good test to see if it will overheat. I would recommend that after starting it closely monitor the temperature gauge for the first hour to see if it is going to overheat and then keep an eye on it every five or ten minutes for the next couple hours. If you notice that the temperature gauge stablizes (stops getting hotter) then it is probably capable of running all night. I say "probably" because something unexpected could happen that could cause it to overheat.

Most cars nowadays don't have gauges and only have "idiot lights" (a red light that come on when it overheats) and so if this is the case then it should be given a longer test before deciding to use it overnight.

I would definitely use this idea only if your circumstances are pretty rough and no other solution is available and then only as a temporary solution.

Have an 800w inverter that clips to the car battery posts. Ran the refrigerator/freezer 1 hour in the am and 1 hour in the pm with no spoilage of food. Got mine at West Marine or Boater's World, but auto supply stores should carry them.