Inverter Question

I have no idea about those. I picked up a couple of cheapo 500Ws from Sam's, and they have worked fine. I was in the other day, and they were trying to move them out, so I got two more for $20 each.

I've read that a lot of guys are using inverters from Sam's or CostCo and that is a possibility. I am a bit concerned about a square or modified sine wave inverter with the IQ4 controller, however. I've seen folks reporting flickering displays, etc. and I'm not sure what effect that has on the electronics of the controller.

Not sure the 600 peak is enough. I seem to remember someone saying the igniter pulled more than that when running. When the ignitor isn't lit, that one sounds fine.

I didn't see a price for it. One thing I did, and the post is out there, was mount my batteries with an inverter/charger. That way, when I get to comps, I hook up and the batteries charge if needed. It'll cost more. If you don't go that route, you'll still have to charge your batteries after every use.

Some guys just hook a charge up at contest and charge the batter while the inverter is connected. I haven't done that, so I can't say for sure.

If you didn't see it in a post, just call CS today and ask them what the peak load is on an FEC100 with IQ, specifically when the ignitor is lit.

I just bought one of these for $22 plus $10 shipping. Haven't had a chance to try it but it seems well built.

Cobra Inverter

I found this in one post...

quote:

according to the manual that came with my fec when the ignitor is on it will draw 400 watts. after that the draw is 25 watts for the auger and 25 watts for the fan for a total over 50 watts.

I'll call before i buy anything.

Yeah, double check. CS has used several different ignitors, don't know if they all pull the same amount

Here is a good all in one unit.
Inverter


Here is the best buy I found so far.
XANTREX

FF.

That goes for about $350 to $400 right?

I've looked at that unit. I do like the fact that it has everything in one package, but the inverter has a modified sine wave output. Am I wrong to be concerned about that? Maybe I'm just paranoid...

Here is what I found it for.
XANTREX

I bought an inverter from Sam's. It was a modified sine and worked great on cold days. But on hot days, it would overheat and shut down. Then I got a FEC500 and a Honda EU2000 and an extra gas tank, and it would run for 30+ hours.

From Stuart at Cookshack...

quote:

The peak power consumption for an FEC100 is 3.5 amps with 2.5 of that being the igniter. The igniter is normally on for the first 5 minutes of the cooking process. After that you are looking at 1 amp of current. A modified sine wave inverter can be used without damaging the unit.

So, by my calculations...

Peak Power = 120 x 3.5 = 420W
Average power (w/o igniter) = 120 x 1 = 120W

A modified sine wave inverter is quite a bit cheaper, too.

I should of let you try out my set-up when I saw you on Saturday. You are more than welcome to try mine out. It was all purchased at Sam's, the inverter and the marine battery.


Scottie

There are so many ways to go with it, I'd go with Scottie's.

The first two years, I had one deep cycle battery and an inverter from Sam's and had zero issues. Have a recharger also.

Start simple and go from there.