inverter question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 798
Likes: 116
From: OAKLEY CA
inverter question
Does anyone know how big an inverter is needed to run a 1.8 cubic foot refrigerator? The frig says its 5.4 amps max, but a 1200/2400 watt inverter won't do it. The inverter runs my 15 inch flat screen TV just fine so I know it works. I know the start up is a heavy load, but it must be more than 5.4 amps or 1200 watts would do it (120vX5.4amps=648watts). Anyone know where I went wrong in my calculations?
If you are wondering how I got all that in my C4......it's in my boat. Nobody seems to know sh*t about this at the marine stores I've tried, so I thought I'd give you guys a try.
If you are wondering how I got all that in my C4......it's in my boat. Nobody seems to know sh*t about this at the marine stores I've tried, so I thought I'd give you guys a try.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Starting current is about 2.5 times running current. For your fridge its 13.5 amps x 120 volts = 1620 voltamps. Another factor is that the lower cost inverters do not supply a sine wave to the load and motors don't like the squarish type waveform supplied by inverters. A, "modified sine wave", is not a sine wave. A higher power inverter might start your fridge, but try it out before you buy another one.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 798
Likes: 116
From: OAKLEY CA
Thanks for the replies. I can get an AC/DC refrigerator, but they run $750 to $1000. I bought a perfectly good AC frig for $69 at Walmart that fits. If it quits like my original I'm, not out another grand. Since I wanted an inverter for my TV/DVD when at anchor anyway, I thought I would kill two birds with one stone and get a 1200/2400 (the 2400 is peak or surge power) for $99 at Kragens. I now see that the peak power does not last long enough to get a compressor going. If the 2.5 factor is correct, I need a 1700/3400 inverter at least, maybe more. I will check out the return policy before I buy again. I have room for a second inverter and another battery, I may go this route. I may also get a Sine wave 3000/6000 for $699 and try my shore power A/C unit also to avoid a costly($4100) and noisy generator. It's hard to get good advise on this subject, as the marine aftermarket industry is old school and everybody is an "expert" until you give them your money and find out later they were wrong. Kinda like getting your C4 modified/fixed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
Originally Posted by ED HEISER
Thanks for the replies. I can get an AC/DC refrigerator, but they run $750 to $1000. I bought a perfectly good AC frig for $69 at Walmart that fits. If it quits like my original I'm, not out another grand. Since I wanted an inverter for my TV/DVD when at anchor anyway, I thought I would kill two birds with one stone and get a 1200/2400 (the 2400 is peak or surge power) for $99 at Kragens. I now see that the peak power does not last long enough to get a compressor going. If the 2.5 factor is correct, I need a 1700/3400 inverter at least, maybe more. I will check out the return policy before I buy again. I have room for a second inverter and another battery, I may go this route. I may also get a Sine wave 3000/6000 for $699 and try my shore power A/C unit also to avoid a costly($4100) and noisy generator. It's hard to get good advise on this subject, as the marine aftermarket industry is old school and everybody is an "expert" until you give them your money and find out later they were wrong. Kinda like getting your C4 modified/fixed.
