Portable Generator

You could run it off an inverter and a battery, just depends on how long you run it as to how big a battery you need.

I think some people have done that.

Otherwise you'll have to spend a lot of money on a quiet generator, and those type cost as much as your AQ.

Thanks for the input SmokinOkie. For example, in my recent Cabela's sale notice I see a Champion Weekender 3,500 watt generator with wheel kit and cover (68db, but don't know how loud that is) with 400 watt peak power that will run 12 hours for $299. Then they have a smaller Generac 2,000 watt with a 4.7 hr run time for $499. I'm hoping the run time is until you add gas as would need longer than that.

volts x amps = watts

so read how many amps your smoker pulls, its on a label on the smoker itself somewhere near the plug I would imagine

so 10 amps times 120 volts = 1200 watts and thats what your generator is sized in.

I would try and size mine about 80% of the rated load.

If you really want quiet I would suggest one of the RV inverter generators such as honda, yamaha, or similar....costly but much nicer on the ears, and after listening to a motor run for 12 hours, you may appreciate quiet.

I have been looking at a few inverter type generators. If you begin your search for the quiet inverter type, you may want to take a look at the Kipor. I know they may not be the Honda but people seem to be very happy with them and they are a lot less money.

Just guess, but if you pay less than $1,000 you're probably get a noisy generator.

The cheaper ones are basically just gasoline/lawn mower engines with some electronics and they're noisy.

The nicer ones (like the honda) have more insulation and other things to make it run quite, and they do run much quiet.

You can always just get a much longer extension cord and put it farther away from you if you need to.

A few months back I bought the Honda EU2000i for $899. It's and inverter style and provides 2000 Watts power and is very quiet. I've been using it at comps to run our cookers (FEC100's)and lights. Works like a champ!

Thanks for all the input. I'm going to look at the inverter styles. I have a buddy that has one of those Honda ones that he paid around $900 for. I'm going to borrow it from him and see how it works. I'm just planning on doing some local and fun type competitions, but I really like my Amerique for my long cooks. I also have a Big Green Egg and a Primo Oval. Next thing is to figure out how to travel with this stuff, or part of if, and which part!

Honda and Yamaha are really the way to go for long term quiet. You could buy a cheap one, which will be loud and make some kind of insulation box. You get what you pay for.

I have owned my Honda EU2000i for 3 years now and love it. I bought it mainly for camping, just this last week we went camping and were watching the TV outside (had to catch the Broncos game). The neighbors noticed and said they couldn't even hear the generator until they came to camp. We made some new friends.

Yes the Honda is a bit more pricey, however I kind of compare it to my cookshack. Sometimes it it worth it simply for peace of mind.

I also plan on doing some comp cooking just to say I've done it. Still on my bucket list.

quote:

Originally posted by SmokinOkie:
You could run it off an inverter and a battery, just depends on how long you run it as to how big a battery you need.

I think some people have done that.

Otherwise you'll have to spend a lot of money on a quiet generator, and those type cost as much as your AQ.

How long can you run off the inverter befor you need to start up and recharge?

Depends on the size of the battery and the load from whatever electronics you have. We'd have to calculate that, but I'll let one of the electricians here help us figure that one.

Would anyone have an idea how long an AmeriQue would run on 2 12 volt deep cycles in parallel? Would it be a practical solution in a pinch?

2 deep cycle should be fine. Depends on how many amps.

Best thing I could recommend is doing it at home, as a test to see how long it will run, then recharge them.

I found this web site http://www.dcacpowerinverters.com/faq.htm

It says a 200 amp hour battery would operate an Amerique for 2 hours