I've been asking questions and looking at different charger/inverters for my FEC100 which is a few years old now but using the IQ5. Some say pure sine wave others say it's not necessary. Generally to be used at the house for unattended times of smoking as occasionally the local power flips off and on shutting down the FEC which makes me nervous about leaving. Appreciate any advice.
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I bought a Schumacher inverter from Walmart, you need at least 400watts for one smoker, I got the 750watts since I run two at comps. A couple deep cycle marine batteries from Menards for power. I too run it at home if it looks like rain or storms are forecasted.
Cal, Thanks for the reply. You don't use the inverter/charger that I have found some using? The Schumacher inverters are less expensive that's for sure.
Certainly not an expert on use of inverters, but I'd be concerned that whatever fancy digital controller I was using was able to cope with messy ac, vs a true sine wave power source. Might be as bad a a "power glitch" from a storm. Just my $.02; maybe a CS tech can weigh in.
That's why I'm a little leery on what to get. CS recommended the pure sign wave unit for the IQ5. I know some folks with older electronics are good with the modified version. I call trip lite and inquired on their units and they were leading me down the modified version. I guess to be safe I might have to bite the bullet and spend a little more for a pure sine wave unit. Thanks for the input Jay.
Cal, are your controllers IQ5?
No. I can't believe there would be a difference between the electronics on them thou.
A quick Google search showed a lot of information out there about what kinds of electronics might do poorly with a modified sine wave inverter. Worth a look if you have a little time.
Thanks for all the input, I'll continue looking at the information. I'll say I'm a bit nervous to go with the modified and probably go with some version of a pure sine wave. Have to save up a bit more money for those.
