Another Battery Question

The conversion of Amps to Watts is governed by the equation Watts = Amps x Volts
AC Amps x 10 x 1.1 (inverter efficiency) x Hours of Operation = DC Amp-Hours
AC Watts/DC Voltage x 1.1(inverter efficiency) x Hours of Operation = DC Amp-Hours

The FEC100 that is currently sold has a specification of 5 amps at 120 VAC. Using the above formula the power consumption is 600 watts and the DC amp-hours are 55 amps.

Deep-cycle batteries are rated in amp-hours. The amp-hour rating is based on a 20-hour discharge rate; therefore, a 100 amp-hour battery can deliver 5 amps for 20 hours. When the discharge rate is greater than 5 amps, the available amp-hours are decreased. As the discharge rate increases, the effective battery capacity is reduced. For example, if the discharge rate is increased to 100 amps, the battery can deliver about 45 amp-hours

Your battery bank should be a minimum of 2 times larger than the total amp-hour load requirement. You should plan on recharging your batteries when they are 50% discharged.

Based on the above information your inverter is too small and you need to check the amp-hour rating of your battery. To carry one FEC would require a 200 amp-hour system.

That's interesting because I have 400W/800w inverter along with the marine battery. So far, I have not had any problems with this setup for 4 years on either my pre-ramp FEC or my IQ4 FEC.

quote:

Originally posted by Trucky1008:
I will be entering my first comp in May and will be using 2 FEC100's. Power is supplied but as a backup I've got a deep cell marine battery and 400W power inverter.

If the power goes out will my single battery/inverter run both FEC100's? I don't plan on firing up the second pit until morning, so worse case I'd be running both units for about 4 hours. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks

Going into your first comp with two fec-100's...wow that is some firepower!!

quote:

Originally posted by RibDog:
That's interesting because I have 400W/800w inverter along with the marine battery. So far, I have not had any problems with this setup for 4 years on either my pre-ramp FEC or my IQ4 FEC.

John, Mack didn't say you'd have a problem, but you are underrated from a calculate what you need for power perspective. but you know me, I say if it works for you, don't change it.

Have you run many contests on 100% battery, and for how long?

Also, for all, pull of the ignitor is actually larger, so make sure you're inverter has a higher "short peak" load. I don't have the details, but it spikes for that period and most inverters have a peak rating.

Keep in mind too the IQ will draw less than the old style (the fan runs constantly on the Traeger controller and it runs as needed on the IQ)

I have run mine at several contests, from about 2pm Friday to 1:30 Saturday (basically 24 hours) but I have two. I do that to drain the batteries and make sure everything in my setup is fine. I have no way of measuring (and I'm too tired) how much power is left.

I went through the calculations that Mack gave before, that's why I have two. More is better than not enough.

And, my very FIRST contest in my trailer, the onboard electrical had a grounding problem and I had to run it on power, so things can go wrong at the first contest.

Russ

Thanks for the feedback guys. After double-checking my inverter it's actually a 750/1500W and not 400W as I originally stated. I am going to replace the marine battery that I currently have to one that has more amp-hours. From what I'm hearing it sounds like I'd need a separate similar set-up to run a second FEC, that or upgrade to a much larger inverter and 2 batteries. Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by Trucky1008:
... From what I'm hearing it sounds like I'd need a separate similar set-up to run a second FEC, that or upgrade to a much larger inverter and 2 batteries. Thanks.

No, I don't think that's what I meant.

You have a larger inverter, it can probably handle both, but the KEY is to start them about 5 to 10 min so that the ignitor isn't running at the same time.

Then it's just a question of amp hours and how long.

My setup is a backup. If I go to a comp that I know won't have power, I take the generator (that's a whole new thread)... LOL

Over the years, say 5 or 6 now, I'd say I've hit bad power only a few times, less than 10 and it was usually:

1) during a thunderstorm or
2) on Saturday morning when everyone turns on their coffee pots and over load the circuits -- yes I'm serious

Since I'm firing up one pit Fri. night and the other not until Sat. morning I should be okay as far as both ignitors not running at same time. I'll look for a battery with plenty of amp-hour rating and call it good.

Now I just need to do some more practice runs and I should be ready! Thanks.

Not sure if you posed the "Have you run many contests on 100% battery, and for how long?" to me but I will respond to it just in case.

First off, if I am cooking competition meats, I always 100% off of the battery/inverter setup.

Second, these days, I can get a 20 hour run off the battery before it starts to get borderline empty. Keep in mind the battery is probably 3-4 years old now.

Back in the beginning, I don't know how long a run I could hourwise because I never ran out of power in the battery.

And I did not mean for my first response to sound like I thought I had a problem based on what Mack said. My apologies if it came across that way.

John

The numbers I presented are based on theoretical usage. The number from Cookshack is worst case. I use a 2500 watt inverter with a dual marine battery system with 500 Amp Hours. Off this system I run the FEC, a traeger, 3 floresent lights, a water pump, a satalite radio, an HD 22" lcd plus the ocassional imersion blender and other items. I was at a cookoff this last week end and ran from Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon on battery/inverter without issue.

I suspect, but don't know for sure, that the FEC with an IQ4 draws less than an amp except during the ignitor phase. This can be disconnected and use green gel to start and run on a 400 watt inverter without an issue. If what you have works, don't change it. If you are just staring out with planning and purchasing, then by all means get as close to an ideal system as you can afford and find.

for what it's worth...

I used a marine/rv battery and a 450/900 watt black and decker inverter at my last comp.
i also brought a battery that i borrowed from our electric car, as backup. 3 hours before brisket turn in my first battery ran out of juice and i had to go to the back up. so my inverter let the first battery run for approx. 14hrs.
this was a brand new battery that had never been run down before, i did have it on the charger for an hr or so before i left for the comp.

Guys, I too want to use the FEC in comps this summer. Most the events have electricity. But if I were to get an entry type generator which one would you get to do some lights, radio, FEC & maybe charge the cell phone?

Jeff

I use an EU2000i. It ran a FEC500, lights, and made coffee. It struggled when firing up the 500 because of the two firepots. But after that, everything ran fine all night long. Even had a boom box running. I have the auxillary gas tank and can go over 30 hours nonstop.
During storms, I use it for the fridge, some lights, tv, and a plant grow box that has two 400 watt lights and 5 (6") fans. Runs fine.
It is also very quiet.

Generator

We're kind of mixing issues in one thread.

Batterys and Generators are different responses to the power issue.

If you run you FE on batteries, you can certainly use local power or a generator.

But if your generator dies, what do you do?

I have both, but run through the local power to save gas

FF,
A grow box in Cali? Sounds like the 60's:-)
Mack

Here's mine, FE100 into an 800w inverter then I have a battery charger attached to the deep cycle battery. The only thing plugged into the comp power is the charger. All this fits into a milk crate and tucks nicely under the hopper. I have seen people make a shelf under the drip pan to hold all the stuff for this. Mine is the econo version.

quote:

Originally posted by TN PIT CREW:
Here's mine, FE100 into an 800w inverter then I have a battery charger attached to the deep cycle battery. The only thing plugged into the comp power is the charger. All this fits into a milk crate and tucks nicely under the hopper. I have seen people make a shelf under the drip pan to hold all the stuff for this. Mine is the econo version.

Have any photos?

I'll post one, but ya'll made fun of my little camera last time. :-)

quote:

Originally posted by TN PIT CREW:
I'll post one, but ya'll made fun of my little camera last time. :-)

And we probably will again until you get a new camera.

But we'll TRY to not be too bad about it

quote:

Originally posted by Smoke'n Ice:
FF,
A grow box in Cali? Sounds like the 60's:-)
Mack

Yep. I am licensed by the state to grow our own medicine. Use to be in construction. Now I am a farmer. LOL

What variatal? TJ Gold or Bangkok best?

I would be a customers if the first!!

Now guys, you DO know the DEA searches the web for those terms. Don't you?

I'm sure you were talking in a scientific sense, right.

Thoes are teas for use in my Tea Room don't ya know.