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Topic: inverter ques |
Ron Victoria
From:
New Jersey, USA
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Posted 24 Aug 2011 2:44 pm |
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I'm going to get an inverter for my sump pump as a backup in case I lose power. The pump is rated 8.5 amps which means I need a 1000 watts. Does the pump surge on startup and draw less while running? The inverters I see have a surge protection built in. If so, can I go with an 800 watt inverter?
thanks, Ron |
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Blake Hawkins
From:
Florida
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Posted 24 Aug 2011 8:50 pm
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Ron, A 1000 watt inverter is way too small.
You are correct that the motor will draw much more
current when starting and you can not run most
inverters at full load for any length of time.
Check the pump specifications for the starting
current.
There is a possibility that the inverter's waveform
will not be correct for the motor.
Also have you considered the current draw from the
battery? If we assumed 100% efficiency, that
would be 83 Amps. (1020 watts divided by 12)
You will need a very good battery to supply that
much current for any length of time.
You might want to consider this one. It is rated for
2000 watts and for motors.
http://www.tripplite.com/en/products/model.cfm?txtSeriesID=817&txtModelID=181
The above is just general info. I've not considered
power factor nor performed detailed calculations.
Perhaps you could also consider a generator. |
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Ron Victoria
From:
New Jersey, USA
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Posted 30 Aug 2011 6:20 pm
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| I used a 1200 watt inverter from Harbor Freight and a marine battery. I set it up for $200 and it worked great when Irene knocked the power out. |
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Steve English
From:
Baja, Arizona
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Posted 30 Aug 2011 7:05 pm
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I just completed a solar install on my rv and am tickled pink with the results.
I wired a circuit to my music room from the inverter, and with the rv parked next to the house, supply my music room with solar generated electricity each night. I have 4 6volt deep-cycle batteries and can run my studio, amps, lights, and most anything I need all night long.
I'll be doing this (on the beaches of Mexico, or anywhere I choose) in the RV soon..... 
_________________
Always remember you're unique..... Just like everyone else |
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Steve Ahola
From:
Concord, California
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Posted 30 Aug 2011 7:51 pm
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| Ron Victoria wrote: |
| I used a 1200 watt inverter from Harbor Freight and a marine battery. I set it up for $200 and it worked great when Irene knocked the power out. |
Thanks for posting that! Theory is great but I like to hear from people whose rig actually worked as planned.
Steve Ahola
_________________
www.blueguitar.org
Recordings on electric guitar:
http://www.box.net/blue-diamonds
http://www.box.net/the-culprits |
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Blake Hawkins
From:
Florida
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Posted 31 Aug 2011 7:03 am
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Always a simple idea that works.
Good solution, Ron.
Congrats.
Blake |
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