What power inverter?

[RedFrame]

We're in dispute with a supplier of our Inverter at the moment and would like some advice from those that know about electrikery...

We have a 1300W 240v Coffee machine that we want to run off the leisure batteries, short run time, about 60 seconds, maybe 120 secs max.

The supplier has told us "1300W coffed mechine need 3-7times power. your order only 2000W,you need bigger inverter".

By my calculations, that would work out that I need a 3900W-9100W inverter to run my Coffee machine.

I need comments that will enable me to show (technically) that the product is not fit for purpose.

Cheers
Red, Chris and Bannock

 

[Camping Gaza]

give details of your battery bank amp hours, charging capacity to the bank and how you charge , and cables size MM Sq to your inverter and distance from battery to inverter (cable length)

 

[138go]

They are talking about inrush current. This can be considerably higher than the continuous running current ie 1300w. Problem is you don’t know what the inrush current is as they don’t put it on the box.

Buy one from Amazon 2000w continuous pure sine wave and see what happens. A cheap one is not going to work. I would expect to pay £200 +

 

[eddie]

A 1300w coffee machine will run on a decent 2000w inverter, so long as the batteries are up to the job

What happens when you try to use it? Works? Buzzes? Doesn’t work? Goes “SparkySparkyHissAndBangSmokySmokeyAllGoPooof”?

Or make a nice cup of coffee

 

[jezport]

We ran a 1050w one on a 1000w inverter, but it would only run if the batteries were getting charge from the solar or engine.
So a 1350w should run on a 1500w inverter.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Hymer Life]

“SparkySparkyHissAndBangSmokySmokeyAllGoPooof”?

I just love that description

 

[Armytwowheels]

My Nespresso Pixi coffee machine is 1250w, we run it from a 1500w pure sinewave inverter and have done for 3 years now without any problems.

Before that we did try the same machine on a semi sine wave inverter but it didn't like that at all! Stopped using it before we killed it! Did managed to kill 3 electric tooth brushes though.

 

[Lenny HB]

A coffee machine electrics are only a heating element so a 1500watt one would probably be OK. It's microwaves where you need over twice the power.
What is important is the size of your battery bank. With a 1300 load plus the inverter inefficiency you will be drawing about 125 amps on 12v. For long life you don't want to load the batteries more than 20 amps on each battery for Gels flooded cells are probably ok at 40 amp in theory you need a 300a/h battery bank or 600 for Gels
Although in practice most run Gels a lot higher and get away with it.

 

[Richard n Ann]

I think the coffee manufacturers put something hardcore in it to get you hooked, why else would people go to such lengths to get such a ghastly drink ?

Going down the M1 the other day, the driver had to pull into a drive through Costa Coffee place for a fix ? it's taking over. Reminds me of Slurm in futurama ?

Errm, anyway use gas if you must, oh and try tea.. It's much nicer ?

 

[autorouter]

It's not just about power. There are two different types of inverter: Pure Sine Wave (PSW) and Modified Sine Wave (MSW). MSW is also called Quasi-Sine Wave.

The inverter outputs Alternating Current (AC), which switches from positive to negative 50 times per second. Standard household mains varies smoothly up and down, like a wave. That's pure sine wave. Modified sine wave simply switches forward and reverse in a more or less abrupt manner.

Modified Sine wave is fine for many dumb appliances like hair dryers, heaters, drills and power tools. However many of those with on-board electronics are expecting a nice smooth wave, and throw a sulk if they don't get it.

I have a 2000 watt MSW inverter that runs a 2000 watt hot air gun no problem, but struggles to run a small 700 watt microwave. My 1200 watt Nespresso machine won't even start up.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lenny HB]

I think the coffee manufacturers put something hardcore in it to get you hooked, why else would people go to such lengths to get such a ghastly drink ?

Would agree with you about the capsule machine coffee I've never had a decent coffee from them.
As for coffee I can't start the day without my fix of a decent coffee.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

What happens when you try to use it? Works? Buzzes? Doesn’t work? Goes “SparkySparkyHissAndBangSmokySmokeyAllGoPooof”?

Am I the only one now slightly worried about the Vanbitz troubleshooting protocols?

 

[DBK]

We're in dispute with a supplier of our Inverter at the moment and would like some advice from those that know about electrikery...

We have a 1300W 240v Coffee machine that we want to run off the leisure batteries, short run time, about 60 seconds, maybe 120 secs max.

The supplier has told us "1300W coffed mechine need 3-7times power. your order only 2000W,you need bigger inverter".

By my calculations, that would work out that I need a 3900W-9100W inverter to run my Coffee machine.

I need comments that will enable me to show (technically) that the product is not fit for purpose.

Cheers
Red, Chris and Bannock

Is the coffee machine not working on the inverter?

I run my coffee machine from just a 1500W PSW inverter. The label under the coffee machine says it is 1200W -1310W. The difference is the lower figure is when the supply is 220V the higher when the supply is 240V. I have two 90Ah Varta batteries and it has all run happily for the last couple of years or so.

If your 2000W inverter can't run a 1300W coffee machine I would ask for your money back - assuming it is PSW and the rating is the continuous one of course. Some inverters quote a higher figure, usually double, but only for momentary loads on start up.

 

[TinaLes]

Many Carthago vans come with a Nespresso machine built in as an option, I wonder what make and size Inverter they use for that, perhaps someone with one will see this and inform us all.
I know for sure that they dont have 600 amp battery banks,180 amp Gels at best.

Les

 

[RedFrame]

give details of your battery bank amp hours, charging capacity to the bank and how you charge , and cables size MM Sq to your inverter and distance from battery to inverter (cable length)

Twin 100Ah wet batteries, 150w Solar/Hookup, MM Sq are same as cables to a car battery, and distance is about 1mtr.

Cheers
Red, Chris and Bannock

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Just smiffy]

I don’t get this coffee thing.... why is it obligatory to walk around with a paper cup of coffee in your hand on the way to work... why not have one at home before you leave then have one when you get to work if you wish....?

Me, I just put a little bag tea in some hot water and done.... sit there and drink it....

Why oh why some people like spending thousands of pounds on something that’s probably not very good for you is beyond me....?

 

[Lenny HB]

Many Carthago vans come with a Nespresso machine built in as an option, I wonder what make and size Inverter they use for that, perhaps someone with one will see this and inform us all.
I know for sure that they dont have 600 amp battery banks,180 amp Gels at best.

Les

I think it's 1800 watt they fit.
Most Carthago's have space for a 3rd battery still not enough IMO.
They will run ok off smaller battery banks but you take the risk of shortening their life, probably still get over 5 years out of them.

 

[funflair]

Twin 100Ah wet batteries, 150w Solar/Hookup, MM Sq are same as cables to a car battery, and distance is about 1mtr.

Cheers
Red, Chris and Bannock

Apologies if you have answered already but I can’t see if it’s Pure Sine Wave or Modified?

Martin

 

[mitzimad]

I just love that description

its a technical term

 

[RedFrame]

Apologies if you have answered already but I can’t see if it’s Pure Sine Wave or Modified?

Martin

Sorry, yes Pure Sine Wave.

Cheers
Red, Chris and Bannock

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Camping Gaza]

Double up your cables, and shorten if at all possible 1 m is quite a long way to the inverter any standard car battery cables are really not up to the job. You will have quite a bit of resistance there.

I use copper welding cables and they are doubled up (cant remember the mm2) and about 10 inch in length soldered together at the connector that are bolted to all terminals. Same with my bank

Also ALL your battery bank cables need to be huge, going from battery to battery , ie the same size or you will have issues so check that. Its no good having big cable just to the inverter and poor cables connecting your bank together

Even your connectors need to be super tight on all battery/inverter connections

I have a 1500/3kw inverter and 3x 110 aH bank. 300w solar and a 40 amp B2B charger. (this is all great and charges the bank up in no time at all)

The inverter although rated at 3KW max only outputs 1kw continuous and it will not run a 800w rated (because of 800w cooking power, not actual current consumption and start/inrush currents which are very large) microwave.

You have to read the small print carefully when choosing an inverter. Hope you get your money back.