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#1
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Refrigerator Backup
Hello,
I have a desire to backup my refrigerator during power outages. Let's say I buy a generator with sufficient power to do so. A whole house transfer switch is not appropriate because the small generator is nowhere near big enough to handle the whole house. The cord on the refrigerator is very hard to get to because the refrigerator is built in. If I were to run the 12-2 line that currently runs from the outlet to the breaker box into a new box containing a SPDT switch and wire it to connect the hot wire from the outlet to either the original breaker or a heavy duty extension cord plugged into the generator, would that meet code? (By code, I mean NEC, not local variations. I don't want to ask a local inspector if the answer is going to be "no way".) If the above is not acceptable, how about cutting the line running to the refrigerator outlet and then installing an outlet near the breaker box and a plug to connect them back together? During a power outage, I would remove the plug from the outlet and plug it into the extension cord coming from the generator. Would having a plug and outlet in the line violate code? Here's a crude attempt at an ascii drawing (please view with a fixed width font): == is 12-2 w gnd normal house wiring. -- is the refrigerator cord plugged into the outlet behind the refrigerator. Today: Breaker-Box======================outletPlug-----Refrigerator Idea #1: Breaker-Box====SPDT-Switch=======outletPlug-----Refrigerator || || || Generator Idea #2: Breaker-Box===new-outletnew-plug====outletPlug-----Refrigerator TIA for any advice, Pat |
#2
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Refrigerator Backup
On Jul 7, 11:29*am, wrote:
Hello, I have a desire to backup my refrigerator during power outages. Let's say I buy a generator with sufficient power to do so. *A whole house transfer switch is not appropriate because the small generator is nowhere near big enough to handle the whole house. *The cord on the refrigerator is very hard to get to because the refrigerator is built in. *If I were to run the 12-2 line that currently runs from the outlet to the breaker box into a new box containing a SPDT switch and wire it to connect the hot wire from the outlet to either the original breaker or a heavy duty extension cord plugged into the generator, would that meet code? *(By code, I mean NEC, not local variations. *I don't want to ask a local inspector if the answer is going to be "no way".) If the above is not acceptable, how about cutting the line running to the refrigerator outlet and then installing an outlet near the breaker box and a plug to connect them back together? *During a power outage, I would remove the plug from the outlet and plug it into the extension cord coming from the generator. *Would having a plug and outlet in the line violate code? Here's a crude attempt at an ascii drawing (please view with a fixed width font): *== is 12-2 w gnd normal house wiring. *-- is the refrigerator cord plugged into the outlet behind the refrigerator. * Today: Breaker-Box======================outletPlug-----Refrigerator Idea #1: Breaker-Box====SPDT-Switch=======outletPlug-----Refrigerator * * * * * * * * * *|| * * * * * * * * * *|| * * * * * * * * * *|| * * * * * * * *Generator Idea #2: Breaker-Box===new-outletnew-plug====outletPlug-----Refrigerator * * TIA for any advice, Pat Using plugs gets around code. I'm thinking using original breaker to outlet. Another outlet to generator. Plug from original line to fridge. These outlets would be near outside the box or another location. No switches involved. Greg |
#3
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Refrigerator Backup
On Jul 7, 10:29*am, wrote:
Hello, I have a desire to backup my refrigerator during power outages. Let's say I buy a generator with sufficient power to do so. *A whole house transfer switch is not appropriate because the small generator is nowhere near big enough to handle the whole house. *The cord on the refrigerator is very hard to get to because the refrigerator is built in. *If I were to run the 12-2 line that currently runs from the outlet to the breaker box into a new box containing a SPDT switch and wire it to connect the hot wire from the outlet to either the original breaker or a heavy duty extension cord plugged into the generator, would that meet code? *(By code, I mean NEC, not local variations. *I don't want to ask a local inspector if the answer is going to be "no way".) If the above is not acceptable, how about cutting the line running to the refrigerator outlet and then installing an outlet near the breaker box and a plug to connect them back together? *During a power outage, I would remove the plug from the outlet and plug it into the extension cord coming from the generator. *Would having a plug and outlet in the line violate code? Here's a crude attempt at an ascii drawing (please view with a fixed width font): *== is 12-2 w gnd normal house wiring. *-- is the refrigerator cord plugged into the outlet behind the refrigerator. * Today: Breaker-Box======================outletPlug-----Refrigerator Idea #1: Breaker-Box====SPDT-Switch=======outletPlug-----Refrigerator * * * * * * * * * *|| * * * * * * * * * *|| * * * * * * * * * *|| * * * * * * * *Generator Idea #2: Breaker-Box===new-outletnew-plug====outletPlug-----Refrigerator * * TIA for any advice, Pat I like idea 2, it is simple and easy to understand now, and in the future too. |
#4
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Refrigerator Backup
On Jul 7, 11:43*am, Gz wrote:
On Jul 7, 11:29*am, wrote: Hello, I have a desire to backup my refrigerator during power outages. Let's say I buy a generator with sufficient power to do so. *A whole house transfer switch is not appropriate because the small generator is nowhere near big enough to handle the whole house. *The cord on the refrigerator is very hard to get to because the refrigerator is built in. *If I were to run the 12-2 line that currently runs from the outlet to the breaker box into a new box containing a SPDT switch and wire it to connect the hot wire from the outlet to either the original breaker or a heavy duty extension cord plugged into the generator, would that meet code? *(By code, I mean NEC, not local variations. *I don't want to ask a local inspector if the answer is going to be "no way".) If the above is not acceptable, how about cutting the line running to the refrigerator outlet and then installing an outlet near the breaker box and a plug to connect them back together? *During a power outage, I would remove the plug from the outlet and plug it into the extension cord coming from the generator. *Would having a plug and outlet in the line violate code? Here's a crude attempt at an ascii drawing (please view with a fixed width font): *== is 12-2 w gnd normal house wiring. *-- is the refrigerator cord plugged into the outlet behind the refrigerator. * Today: Breaker-Box======================outletPlug-----Refrigerator Idea #1: Breaker-Box====SPDT-Switch=======outletPlug-----Refrigerator * * * * * * * * * *|| * * * * * * * * * *|| * * * * * * * * * *|| * * * * * * * *Generator Idea #2: Breaker-Box===new-outletnew-plug====outletPlug-----Refrigerator * * TIA for any advice, Pat Using plugs gets around code. I'm thinking using original breaker to outlet. Another outlet to generator. Plug from original line to fridge. These outlets would be near outside the box or another location. No switches involved. Greg- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - I ran a line from the generator to a plug box mounted right under the house current box that the refrigerator plugs into. When the lights go out, I unplug from house current and into the generator box. Since your plug is hard to get to, run the line to the basement and have the side-by-side plugs. Be sure to label them. Paul |
#5
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Refrigerator Backup
On Thu, 7 Jul 2011 08:43:15 -0700 (PDT), Gz wrote:
On Jul 7, 11:29*am, wrote: Hello, I have a desire to backup my refrigerator during power outages. Let's say I buy a generator with sufficient power to do so. *A whole house transfer switch is not appropriate because the small generator is nowhere near big enough to handle the whole house. *The cord on the refrigerator is very hard to get to because the refrigerator is built in. *If I were to run the 12-2 line that currently runs from the outlet to the breaker box into a new box containing a SPDT switch and wire it to connect the hot wire from the outlet to either the original breaker or a heavy duty extension cord plugged into the generator, would that meet code? *(By code, I mean NEC, not local variations. *I don't want to ask a local inspector if the answer is going to be "no way".) If the above is not acceptable, how about cutting the line running to the refrigerator outlet and then installing an outlet near the breaker box and a plug to connect them back together? *During a power outage, I would remove the plug from the outlet and plug it into the extension cord coming from the generator. *Would having a plug and outlet in the line violate code? Here's a crude attempt at an ascii drawing (please view with a fixed width font): *== is 12-2 w gnd normal house wiring. *-- is the refrigerator cord plugged into the outlet behind the refrigerator. * Today: Breaker-Box======================outletPlug-----Refrigerator Idea #1: Breaker-Box====SPDT-Switch=======outletPlug-----Refrigerator * * * * * * * * * *|| * * * * * * * * * *|| * * * * * * * * * *|| * * * * * * * *Generator Idea #2: Breaker-Box===new-outletnew-plug====outletPlug-----Refrigerator * * TIA for any advice, Pat Using plugs gets around code. I'm thinking using original breaker to outlet. Another outlet to generator. Plug from original line to fridge. These outlets would be near outside the box or another location. No switches involved. Greg Hi Greg, Thanks for the input. To be clear, you are saying it is OK for a line that plugs into an outlet to run into hidden spaces and power a normal outlet somewhere else in the house. Right? Pat |
#6
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Refrigerator Backup
On Jul 7, 11:29*am, wrote:
Hello, I have a desire to backup my refrigerator during power outages. Let's say I buy a generator with sufficient power to do so. *A whole house transfer switch is not appropriate because the small generator is nowhere near big enough to handle the whole house. *The cord on the refrigerator is very hard to get to because the refrigerator is built in. *If I were to run the 12-2 line that currently runs from the outlet to the breaker box into a new box containing a SPDT switch and wire it to connect the hot wire from the outlet to either the original breaker or a heavy duty extension cord plugged into the generator, would that meet code? *(By code, I mean NEC, not local variations. *I don't want to ask a local inspector if the answer is going to be "no way".) If the above is not acceptable, how about cutting the line running to the refrigerator outlet and then installing an outlet near the breaker box and a plug to connect them back together? *During a power outage, I would remove the plug from the outlet and plug it into the extension cord coming from the generator. *Would having a plug and outlet in the line violate code? Here's a crude attempt at an ascii drawing (please view with a fixed width font): *== is 12-2 w gnd normal house wiring. *-- is the refrigerator cord plugged into the outlet behind the refrigerator. * Today: Breaker-Box======================outletPlug-----Refrigerator Idea #1: Breaker-Box====SPDT-Switch=======outletPlug-----Refrigerator * * * * * * * * * *|| * * * * * * * * * *|| * * * * * * * * * *|| * * * * * * * *Generator Idea #2: Breaker-Box===new-outletnew-plug====outletPlug-----Refrigerator * * TIA for any advice, Pat If you are loosing power for long enough for a fridge to get warm then I suggest you might as well get a generator that can supply you with more power. I comfortably run my whole 3000 sqft house with the exception of major appliance such as the hvac, electric oven, and electric dryer off of a cheap 4400 watt generator. Since I only use it for power outages I don't care that it won't last for thousands of hours. You can get a used one for a few hundred dollars on craigs list, a new one for 5 or 600. I backfeed it and there are code compliant ways to do that. All you need is a pair of breakers at the top of your main panel and a mechanical lockout for the panel main. http://www.interlockkit.com/ I open the breakers to the major appliances I don't want to run. It will run both my air handlers since I have gas heat. |
#7
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Refrigerator Backup
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#8
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Refrigerator Backup
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#9
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Refrigerator Backup
On Jul 7, 12:40*pm, jamesgangnc wrote:
On Jul 7, 11:29*am, wrote: Hello, I have a desire to backup my refrigerator during power outages. Let's say I buy a generator with sufficient power to do so. *A whole house transfer switch is not appropriate because the small generator is nowhere near big enough to handle the whole house. *The cord on the refrigerator is very hard to get to because the refrigerator is built in. *If I were to run the 12-2 line that currently runs from the outlet to the breaker box into a new box containing a SPDT switch and wire it to connect the hot wire from the outlet to either the original breaker or a heavy duty extension cord plugged into the generator, would that meet code? *(By code, I mean NEC, not local variations. *I don't want to ask a local inspector if the answer is going to be "no way".) If the above is not acceptable, how about cutting the line running to the refrigerator outlet and then installing an outlet near the breaker box and a plug to connect them back together? *During a power outage, I would remove the plug from the outlet and plug it into the extension cord coming from the generator. *Would having a plug and outlet in the line violate code? Here's a crude attempt at an ascii drawing (please view with a fixed width font): *== is 12-2 w gnd normal house wiring. *-- is the refrigerator cord plugged into the outlet behind the refrigerator. * Today: Breaker-Box======================outletPlug-----Refrigerator Idea #1: Breaker-Box====SPDT-Switch=======outletPlug-----Refrigerator * * * * * * * * * *|| * * * * * * * * * *|| * * * * * * * * * *|| * * * * * * * *Generator Idea #2: Breaker-Box===new-outletnew-plug====outletPlug-----Refrigerator * * TIA for any advice, Pat If you are loosing power for long enough for a fridge to get warm then I suggest you might as well get a generator that can supply you with more power. *I comfortably run my whole 3000 sqft house with the exception of major appliance such as the hvac, electric oven, and electric dryer off of a cheap 4400 watt generator. *Since I only use it for power outages I don't care that it won't last for thousands of hours. *You can get a used one for a few hundred dollars on craigs list, a new one for 5 or 600. I backfeed it and there are code compliant ways to do that. *All you need is a pair of breakers at the top of your main panel and a mechanical lockout for the panel main. *http://www.interlockkit.com/ I open the breakers to the major appliances I don't want to run. *It will run both my air handlers since I have gas heat.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - I agree. That gives a flexible, safe, code compliant solution where you can choose what circuits you want to power at any given time. |
#11
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Refrigerator Backup
On Jul 7, 12:35*pm, wrote:
On Thu, 7 Jul 2011 08:43:15 -0700 (PDT), Gz wrote: On Jul 7, 11:29*am, wrote: Hello, I have a desire to backup my refrigerator during power outages. Let's say I buy a generator with sufficient power to do so. *A whole house transfer switch is not appropriate because the small generator is nowhere near big enough to handle the whole house. *The cord on the refrigerator is very hard to get to because the refrigerator is built in. *If I were to run the 12-2 line that currently runs from the outlet to the breaker box into a new box containing a SPDT switch and wire it to connect the hot wire from the outlet to either the original breaker or a heavy duty extension cord plugged into the generator, would that meet code? *(By code, I mean NEC, not local variations. *I don't want to ask a local inspector if the answer is going to be "no way".) If the above is not acceptable, how about cutting the line running to the refrigerator outlet and then installing an outlet near the breaker box and a plug to connect them back together? *During a power outage, I would remove the plug from the outlet and plug it into the extension cord coming from the generator. *Would having a plug and outlet in the line violate code? Here's a crude attempt at an ascii drawing (please view with a fixed width font): *== is 12-2 w gnd normal house wiring. *-- is the refrigerator cord plugged into the outlet behind the refrigerator. * Today: Breaker-Box======================outletPlug-----Refrigerator Idea #1: Breaker-Box====SPDT-Switch=======outletPlug-----Refrigerator * * * * * * * * * *|| * * * * * * * * * *|| * * * * * * * * * *|| * * * * * * * *Generator Idea #2: Breaker-Box===new-outletnew-plug====outletPlug-----Refrigerator * * TIA for any advice, Pat Using plugs gets around code. I'm thinking using original breaker to outlet. Another outlet to generator. Plug from original line to fridge. These outlets would be near outside the box or another location. No switches involved. Greg Hi Greg, Thanks for the input. *To be clear, you are saying it is OK for a line that plugs into an outlet to run into hidden spaces and power a normal outlet somewhere else in the house. *Right? * Pat That's right. It's basically your device. That might be a problem for future owners. Greg |
#12
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Refrigerator Backup
On Jul 7, 2:30*pm, Gz wrote:
On Jul 7, 12:35*pm, wrote: On Thu, 7 Jul 2011 08:43:15 -0700 (PDT), Gz wrote: On Jul 7, 11:29*am, wrote: Hello, I have a desire to backup my refrigerator during power outages. Let's say I buy a generator with sufficient power to do so. *A whole house transfer switch is not appropriate because the small generator is nowhere near big enough to handle the whole house. *The cord on the refrigerator is very hard to get to because the refrigerator is built in. *If I were to run the 12-2 line that currently runs from the outlet to the breaker box into a new box containing a SPDT switch and wire it to connect the hot wire from the outlet to either the original breaker or a heavy duty extension cord plugged into the generator, would that meet code? *(By code, I mean NEC, not local variations. *I don't want to ask a local inspector if the answer is going to be "no way".) If the above is not acceptable, how about cutting the line running to the refrigerator outlet and then installing an outlet near the breaker box and a plug to connect them back together? *During a power outage, I would remove the plug from the outlet and plug it into the extension cord coming from the generator. *Would having a plug and outlet in the line violate code? Here's a crude attempt at an ascii drawing (please view with a fixed width font): *== is 12-2 w gnd normal house wiring. *-- is the refrigerator cord plugged into the outlet behind the refrigerator. * Today: Breaker-Box======================outletPlug-----Refrigerator Idea #1: Breaker-Box====SPDT-Switch=======outletPlug-----Refrigerator * * * * * * * * * *|| * * * * * * * * * *|| * * * * * * * * * *|| * * * * * * * *Generator Idea #2: Breaker-Box===new-outletnew-plug====outletPlug-----Refrigerator * * TIA for any advice, Pat Using plugs gets around code. I'm thinking using original breaker to outlet. Another outlet to generator. Plug from original line to fridge. These outlets would be near outside the box or another location. No switches involved. Greg Hi Greg, Thanks for the input. *To be clear, you are saying it is OK for a line that plugs into an outlet to run into hidden spaces and power a normal outlet somewhere else in the house. *Right? * Pat That's right. It's basically your device. That might be a problem for future owners. Greg A fridge would run on a 1kw generator but would have start up problems. I would not go with less than 2kw. Greg |
#13
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Refrigerator Backup
Andy comments:
Well presented, mike... Personally, I would just put an extension cord on the generator and unplug the fridge from the wall and plug it into the generator. There should be enough capacity to run a fridge, a TV, a couple CFLs, and maybe an electric toothbrush ---- necessities of life. The idea of trying to make the entire house "normal" is just too much trouble. Just pretend you are roughing it on a camping trip that will end in a few days max...... It isn't the end of the world, and it's just too much trouble to plan for it..... Mike's opinion of the diversity of thought in building inspectors is right on. And his caution regarding insurance coverage is also good....... Just use an extension cord, of suitable rating, and one won't have to worry about such things... Andy in Eureka, Texas |
#14
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Refrigerator Backup
On Jul 7, 2:09*pm, mike wrote:
I just went thru this exercise. I found a new generator for dirt cheap at a garage sale. I found another great deal on a DIY transfer switch that hooks between the outputs of the breaker box and the house wiring. I wish I'd been able to do the math before making the impulse purchase. I discovered a couple of interesting things. The NEC is subject to considerable interpretation. There are at least two people you need to worry about. 1) the local electrical inspector. 2) the adjuster for your fire insurance carrier. If you bypass #1, then #2 has grounds to deny your claim when the place burns down. *God help you if sparks burn down the neighbor's house. Life is a lot easier if you assume that the place will never burn down. *I've only been burned out twice in 63 years...what are the odds???? The code pretty clearly states that anything ATTACHED to the structure has to be permanently wired. I asked my local inspector if I could put a plug on the furnace so I could run the fans during a power outage. *He said, "I don't see why not." When pressed, he vacillated. *I think he's the only one in the office, so probably not an issue. *In bigger offices, it may be a crap shoot depending on who shows up for the inspection. In your case, you could make a case for the built-in fridge not being attached in the sense anticipated by the code, but the socket in the wall is CLEARLY attached. *Putting a plug on the other end of the wire might be an issue. You'll find many "projects" on the web that put regular wall switches in circuits to facilitate generator connections. *As I recall, you must have switches actually rated for such service. *Regular wall switches ain't! *I was gonna put a combo switch/socket and back-feed just the furnace. *I never found a combo SPDT switch rated at the 20-amps required by that circuit. *Would never have passed inspection anyway. When I had central air installed, I was amazed by the inspector. He didn't look at the wiring at all. *All he cared about was that the breakers and switches all had the right stickers on 'em. He failed the system and made the contractor replace a breaker with one with the right sticker. *So, it don't matter whether the switches can actually do the job. *What matters is that they have a sticker that says they can do the job. The point to having the right "sticker" is that it means it's the right one and can do the job, no? When I contemplated the transfer switch, I discovered that my house has 30 feet of wire between the meter base and the first breaker. This violates current code, big-time. There's some question about what changes inside the breaker box might require bringing the whole service entrance up to current code. Curious as to what part of the NEC this violates? While I think most panels are located closer than 30 ft from the meter, I would think there would also be plenty of situations where it was not practical and they were not. Cases like a seperate meter for an upstairs apartment that has it's own panel located there for example. I also don't see what exactly the big safety issue would be having it be 30 ft as opposed to say 10 ft, as long as the wiring was done correctly. Even if everything turned out best case, the cost of the permits/inspection was about the same as the cost of the generator. Did you see the post in this thread about using one of the add-on interlock systems? Power doesn't go out much here. And I have an unused freezer in the garage that could be pressed into service in a food emergency. If you have room, pick up a free fridge at a garage sale and use it for emergencies on the generator...and for beer when it's not an emergency. That's a point I always come back to. Here in NJ the power just doesn't go out that much or for long enough to make it worthwhile to worry about. In about 35 years, I only had one outage that was close to ruining frozen food. And that time the power came back on just as I was returning with $25 worth of dry ice. Anybody wanna buy a new 5KW generator and an 8-circuit self-installable transfer switch?- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - |
#15
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Refrigerator Backup
On Thu, 07 Jul 2011 11:09:10 -0700, mike wrote:
wrote: Hello, I have a desire to backup my refrigerator during power outages. Let's say I buy a generator with sufficient power to do so. A whole house transfer switch is not appropriate because the small generator is nowhere near big enough to handle the whole house. The cord on the refrigerator is very hard to get to because the refrigerator is built in. If I were to run the 12-2 line that currently runs from the outlet to the breaker box into a new box containing a SPDT switch and wire it to connect the hot wire from the outlet to either the original breaker or a heavy duty extension cord plugged into the generator, would that meet code? (By code, I mean NEC, not local variations. I don't want to ask a local inspector if the answer is going to be "no way".) If the above is not acceptable, how about cutting the line running to the refrigerator outlet and then installing an outlet near the breaker box and a plug to connect them back together? During a power outage, I would remove the plug from the outlet and plug it into the extension cord coming from the generator. Would having a plug and outlet in the line violate code? Here's a crude attempt at an ascii drawing (please view with a fixed width font): == is 12-2 w gnd normal house wiring. -- is the refrigerator cord plugged into the outlet behind the refrigerator. Today: Breaker-Box======================outletPlug-----Refrigerator Idea #1: Breaker-Box====SPDT-Switch=======outletPlug-----Refrigerator || || || Generator Idea #2: Breaker-Box===new-outletnew-plug====outletPlug-----Refrigerator TIA for any advice, Pat snip The code pretty clearly states that anything ATTACHED to the structure has to be permanently wired. I asked my local inspector if I could put a plug on the furnace so I could run the fans during a power outage. He said, "I don't see why not." When pressed, he vacillated. I think he's the only one in the office, so probably not an issue. In bigger offices, it may be a crap shoot depending on who shows up for the inspection. In your case, you could make a case for the built-in fridge not being attached in the sense anticipated by the code, but the socket in the wall is CLEARLY attached. Putting a plug on the other end of the wire might be an issue. That's what I am worried about with #2. #2 is also less desirable if I add circuits later. After the frig, the gas water heater controls and exhaust fan, and the gas furnace air handler would be my next priorities. I would hate to have three circuits with plugs/sockets in line. You'll find many "projects" on the web that put regular wall switches in circuits to facilitate generator connections. As I recall, you must have switches actually rated for such service. Regular wall switches ain't! Thanks for that tip. I will look into it further. snip Pat |
#16
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Refrigerator Backup
On Thu, 7 Jul 2011 11:38:44 -0700 (PDT), Gz wrote:
On Jul 7, 2:30*pm, Gz wrote: A fridge would run on a 1kw generator but would have start up problems. I would not go with less than 2kw. Greg I am actually planning to use a 1.5 kw inverter connected to a Prius. It can run my frig including start-up. |
#17
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Refrigerator Backup
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#18
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Refrigerator Backup
On 7/7/2011 11:40 AM, jamesgangnc wrote:
On Jul 7, 11:29 am, wrote: Hello, I have a desire to backup my refrigerator during power outages. Let's say I buy a generator with sufficient power to do so. A whole house transfer switch is not appropriate because the small generator is nowhere near big enough to handle the whole house. The cord on the refrigerator is very hard to get to because the refrigerator is built in. If I were to run the 12-2 line that currently runs from the outlet to the breaker box into a new box containing a SPDT switch and wire it to connect the hot wire from the outlet to either the original breaker or a heavy duty extension cord plugged into the generator, would that meet code? (By code, I mean NEC, not local variations. I don't want to ask a local inspector if the answer is going to be "no way".) If the above is not acceptable, how about cutting the line running to the refrigerator outlet and then installing an outlet near the breaker box and a plug to connect them back together? During a power outage, I would remove the plug from the outlet and plug it into the extension cord coming from the generator. Would having a plug and outlet in the line violate code? Here's a crude attempt at an ascii drawing (please view with a fixed width font): == is 12-2 w gnd normal house wiring. -- is the refrigerator cord plugged into the outlet behind the refrigerator. Today: Breaker-Box======================outletPlug-----Refrigerator Idea #1: Breaker-Box====SPDT-Switch=======outletPlug-----Refrigerator || || || Generator Idea #2: Breaker-Box===new-outletnew-plug====outletPlug-----Refrigerator TIA for any advice, Pat If you are loosing power for long enough for a fridge to get warm then I suggest you might as well get a generator that can supply you with more power. I comfortably run my whole 3000 sqft house with the exception of major appliance such as the hvac, electric oven, and electric dryer off of a cheap 4400 watt generator. Since I only use it for power outages I don't care that it won't last for thousands of hours. You can get a used one for a few hundred dollars on craigs list, a new one for 5 or 600. I backfeed it and there are code compliant ways to do that. All you need is a pair of breakers at the top of your main panel and a mechanical lockout for the panel main. http://www.interlockkit.com/ I open the breakers to the major appliances I don't want to run. It will run both my air handlers since I have gas heat. I wondered when someone would post a link to what I consider the simplest, most effective and safe transfer switch on the market. TDD |
#19
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Refrigerator Backup (Prius battery)
In article
, jamesgangnc wrote: On Jul 8, 9:12*am, "Stormin Mormon" wrote: They don't have 12 volt battery under the hood for starting? -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus *www.lds.org . "jamesgangnc" wrote in message ... I am actually planning to use a 1.5 kw inverter connected to a Prius. It can run my frig including start-up. You are aware that the current generation prius battery is 200v, the early generations were 280v? *Have you found an inverter for that? They have a 12v battery for accessories. I think it's been pretty well established that a 12v car battery won't run much of anything for any period. A fridge will be 4-500 watts when running. That's about 35 amps at 12v, Off the hybrid battery it would be more like a couple amps. Problem then is finding an inverter that works at the hybrid battery voltage. And since volages on hybrids varies pretty widely it would be a good idea to find one with a wide supply range so that it works with your next hybrid. I'm thinking that the inverter costs for this theoretical project is now in the thousands. You mean those Priuses don't have a PTO? That's lame. |
#20
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Refrigerator Backup
On Fri, 8 Jul 2011 08:41:43 -0400, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote: Have you actually tried it? I bought a marine battery and inverter, many years ago. I thought it would run my furnace, but it did not. I never did get it to work. That same furnace ran fine off my generator. Yes. It works with my refrigerator. The inverter is 1500 continuous and 3000 watts peak. Pat |
#21
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Refrigerator Backup
On Fri, 8 Jul 2011 05:55:06 -0700 (PDT), jamesgangnc
wrote: On Jul 7, 8:12*pm, wrote: On Thu, 7 Jul 2011 11:38:44 -0700 (PDT), Gz wrote: On Jul 7, 2:30 pm, Gz wrote: A fridge would run on a 1kw generator but would have start up problems. I would not go with less than 2kw. Greg I am actually planning to use a 1.5 kw inverter connected to a Prius. It can run my frig including start-up. You are aware that the current generation prius battery is 200v, the early generations were 280v? Have you found an inverter for that? I intend to use 12 volts, not the higher traction battery voltage. The car will use the traction battery to keep the 12 volt battery charged (via a built-in DC to DC converter) and occassionally use the gasoline engine to keep the traction battery charged. There are many threads in various news groups and forums covering this topic. This, of course, isn't as efficient as a dedicated generator, but I will never have to worry about stale gas or not being able to start a seldomly used generator. I am told the car will supply 1000 to 1500 watts for about a week on a single tank of gas. |
#22
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Refrigerator Backup
On Fri, 8 Jul 2011 08:32:50 -0400, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote: The extra socket and plug inline with the refrig sounds good. It is simple, easy to understand, and has zero chance of back feeding power into the rest of the house. Zero chance of back feeding power into the power company lines, and hurting a lineman. However, it may not meet code as another responder pointed out. I am looking into someone else's suggestion of an inexpensive generator interlock product. (See www.interlockkit.com). |
#23
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Refrigerator Backup (Prius battery)
On Fri, 8 Jul 2011 06:29:46 -0700 (PDT), jamesgangnc
wrote: On Jul 8, 9:12*am, "Stormin Mormon" wrote: They don't have 12 volt battery under the hood for starting? -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus *www.lds.org . "jamesgangnc" wrote in message ... I am actually planning to use a 1.5 kw inverter connected to a Prius. It can run my frig including start-up. You are aware that the current generation prius battery is 200v, the early generations were 280v? *Have you found an inverter for that? They have a 12v battery for accessories. I think it's been pretty well established that a 12v car battery won't run much of anything for any period. A fridge will be 4-500 watts when running. That's about 35 amps at 12v, Off the hybrid battery it would be more like a couple amps. Problem then is finding an inverter that works at the hybrid battery voltage. And since volages on hybrids varies pretty widely it would be a good idea to find one with a wide supply range so that it works with your next hybrid. I'm thinking that the inverter costs for this theoretical project is now in the thousands. I just responded in the other thread, but I plan to use 12 volts, not the higher traction battery voltage. The car uses a DC to DC converter to keep the 12 volt battery charged and starts its engine periodically to keep the traction battery charged. The 2004 to 2009 model can supply 1000 watts continuously while the 2010 can supply 1500 watts. Other have used the traction battery for this, but I don't want to modify the car. To answer another question, the 12 volt battery is in the trunk making it easy to directly attach to it and store the inverter there. |
#24
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Refrigerator Backup (Prius battery)
On Jul 8, 9:58*am, wrote:
On Fri, 8 Jul 2011 06:29:46 -0700 (PDT), jamesgangnc wrote: On Jul 8, 9:12*am, "Stormin Mormon" wrote: They don't have 12 volt battery under the hood for starting? -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus *www.lds.org . "jamesgangnc" wrote in message .... I am actually planning to use a 1.5 kw inverter connected to a Prius. It can run my frig including start-up. You are aware that the current generation prius battery is 200v, the early generations were 280v? *Have you found an inverter for that? They have a 12v battery for accessories. *I think it's been pretty well established that a 12v car battery won't run much of anything for any period. *A fridge will be 4-500 watts when running. *That's about 35 amps at 12v, Off the hybrid battery it would be more like a couple amps. *Problem then is finding an inverter that works at the hybrid battery voltage. And since volages on hybrids varies pretty widely it would *be a good idea to find one with a wide supply range so that it works with your next hybrid. *I'm thinking that the inverter costs for this theoretical project is now in the thousands. I just responded in the other thread, but I plan to use 12 volts, not the higher traction battery voltage. *The car uses a DC to DC converter to keep the 12 volt battery charged and starts its engine periodically to keep the traction battery charged. *The 2004 to 2009 model can supply 1000 watts continuously while the 2010 can supply 1500 watts. *Other have used the traction battery for this, but I don't want to modify the car. To answer another question, the 12 volt battery is in the trunk making it easy to directly attach to it and store the inverter there.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Then you are basically using your car as a generator. Anyone can do that. It's a rather cumbersome solution but does have the virtue of simplicity. The food in my fridge is not a real big worry for me. If we loose power for a couple days sitting in the dark and sometimes cold and cooking everything on the grill gets old fast. I have a 4kw generator I paid $500 for. It runs my entire house. I backfeed. We use the tv, the computers, the lights, the microwave, etc. In the winter we have central heat. |
#25
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Refrigerator Backup (Prius battery)
On Fri, 8 Jul 2011 07:11:37 -0700 (PDT), jamesgangnc
wrote: Then you are basically using your car as a generator. That is true. Anyone can do that. That is also true, but the Prius has the advantage of only running the gasoline engine as required. Most other vehicles will run the engine continuously at idle. ... That's not a show stopper, but it wastes energy. A properly sized generator is more efficient than either one, but I already have the Prius and don't need power backup very often. Thanks to you and all the others who provided input. Pat |
#27
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Refrigerator Backup
Kewl! Glad that it works for you.
-- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. wrote in message ... Yes. It works with my refrigerator. The inverter is 1500 continuous and 3000 watts peak. Pat |
#28
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Refrigerator Backup (Prius battery)
I know what you mean about dark and cold. I've been there.
For me, an hour of generator to run the furnace about dark, sure makes my trailer a lot more comfortable. I don't run after dark if I can help it, being considerate of my neighbors. (who might also steal my generator.....) -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "jamesgangnc" wrote in message ... Then you are basically using your car as a generator. Anyone can do that. It's a rather cumbersome solution but does have the virtue of simplicity. The food in my fridge is not a real big worry for me. If we loose power for a couple days sitting in the dark and sometimes cold and cooking everything on the grill gets old fast. I have a 4kw generator I paid $500 for. It runs my entire house. I backfeed. We use the tv, the computers, the lights, the microwave, etc. In the winter we have central heat. |
#29
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Refrigerator Backup
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#30
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Refrigerator Backup
On Jul 9, 5:07*am, mike wrote:
When I contemplated the transfer switch, I discovered that my house has 30 feet of wire between the meter base and the first breaker. This violates current code, big-time. *There's some question about what changes inside the breaker box might require bringing the whole service entrance up to current code. Curious as to what part of the NEC this violates? * Good point. *Maybe it's a local thing. A friend just upgraded his service. *They wouldn't let him put the first breaker more than one stud-spacing away from the service entrance. *Seems they're worried about some contractor driving a nail thru the cable. The first current limit is on the other side of the transformer on the pole at 8KV or some such. If that is the concern, metal conduit between the meter and panel would solve it. Seems you have some very strange inspectors. Where is this? Something about arc-fault. *If you get an arc started, it just keeps burning itself back until it reaches a place where the separation is great enough to extinguish the plasma. *The house is well up in flames long before that happens and there's nothing you can do but watch it happen...assuming you weren't blinded in the initial flash. As I understand it, the interlock system are not allowed by the code, but are often "passed". Based on what? Interlockit says they meet NEC. I've heard lots of people using and recommending them here, including electricians and haven't heard of any being failed. *Problem with my box is that the breakers flip the opposite direction from the breakers anticipated by the interlock systems. *I'd have to have fingers that reach around the switches and lock out on the outside edge. What panel do you have? * Other problem is that there's no room in the box for the extra breakers for the generator inputs. It's just much easier/safer to leave it alone. Could you replace a couple with half size breakers? |
#31
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Refrigerator Backup
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#32
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Refrigerator Backup
On Fri, 8 Jul 2011 15:57:49 -0500, "HeyBub"
wrote: $150 for a six-by-six inch flat piece of metal is obscene. Nevertheless, I'm considering buying one, using it as a template to make my own, then selling the original on Ebay. I figure my net outlay, then, to be about $10 which is a more reasonable price. Heck, I might even make more than one, sell the copies for $50 each and retire to a mobile home in Bakersfield! If I decide to do that, members of this group will get first crack at the product. Let me know when you run a successful small business doing that. Did you factor in the cost of insurance? having your product tested and approved by Wyle Labs (probably 10's of thousands of dollars)? ....writing installation manuals? ...paying employees? ...paying federal, state, and local taxes? ...and last, but not least, making enough money to live on? Maybe you can run a hobby business where your labor is free, but I doubt you can run a real business at those prices. If the raw materials cost $10 and they sell it for $150, trust me that they aren't left with $140 in the bank at the end of the day. |
#33
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Refrigerator Backup
On Jul 9, 9:18*am, mike wrote:
wrote: On Jul 9, 5:07 am, mike wrote: When I contemplated the transfer switch, I discovered that my house has 30 feet of wire between the meter base and the first breaker. This violates current code, big-time. *There's some question about what changes inside the breaker box might require bringing the whole service entrance up to current code. Curious as to what part of the NEC this violates? * Good point. *Maybe it's a local thing. A friend just upgraded his service. *They wouldn't let him put the first breaker more than one stud-spacing away from the service entrance. *Seems they're worried about some contractor driving a nail thru the cable. The first current limit is on the other side of the transformer on the pole at 8KV or some such. If that is the concern, metal conduit between the meter and panel would solve it. *Seems you have some very strange inspectors. *Where is this? Code doesn't have much room for "would solve it". It's all about rules and compliance. A good start would be to be able to cite the rules. From what I've seen so far, what you've claimed isn't backed up by the NEC. The NEC has no rule that says the panel breaker must be within one stud bay of the service meter. You claimed that the local concern might be with someone driving a nail into the wiring between the meter and panel. In which case, that would be solved by using metal conduit and one would think that if that were the local concern, the local inspector would be OK with using metal conduit as a solution. I can assure you that there is plenty of wiring going on in Oreqon and everywhere else where the panel breaker isn't one stud bay away from the meter. It would seem to me the real problem is someone needs to sit down with the inspector, the NEC and find out exactly what the issues are, rather than speculating. You claimed that having 30 ft of distance between the meter and the panel breaker violates current code "big time". IF it does, the inspector should be able to point to the NEC or local rule that specifically says that. Which is only reasonable, because if 30 ft is no good, then what is? 20? 10? 5? You have a right to know. Trying to understand is futile. If that were the case, it would be very hard to wire up anything, would it not? Most inspectors I've talked to were willing to explain exactly what the issue is, the reqts, etc. and possible ways to solve their concerns. Did you actually talk to the local inspector about this? Arguing with the inspector is futile. Just comply. Before you can comply, you need to understand what the actual rules are. Oregon I've got no facts, just the word of someone I trust. And that may be the whole problem. Something about arc-fault. *If you get an arc started, it just keeps burning itself back until it reaches a place where the separation is great enough to extinguish the plasma. *The house is well up in flames long before that happens and there's nothing you can do but watch it happen...assuming you weren't blinded in the initial flash. As I understand it, the interlock system are not allowed by the code, but are often "passed". Based on what? *Interlockit says they meet NEC. *I've heard lots of people using and recommending them here, including electricians and haven't heard of any being failed. So, we're in agreement? No, we're not. You said the Interlockit system does not meet code, but is often passed. I said: 1 - Interlockit specifically says their product meets the NEC 2 - Plenty of people here have reported using them, including electricians, at least some of them have been inspected, and I've never heard of a single one being turned down by an inspector. 3 -I'd like to see what specifically in the NEC leads you to believe the Interlockkit product is in violation? *Problem with my box is that the breakers flip the opposite direction from the breakers anticipated by the interlock systems. *I'd have to have fingers that reach around the switches and lock out on the outside edge. What panel do you have? * Other problem is that there's no room in the box for the extra breakers for the generator inputs. It's just much easier/safer to leave it alone. Could you replace a couple with half size breakers? At the risk of repeating myself * It's just much easier/safer to leave it alone. One, I don't see any safety issue. Two, it sounds more like you just took some word of mouth from a friend and called it quits as opposed to looking at NEC and/or consulting with the local inspector. |
#34
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Refrigerator Backup
On Jul 9, 9:47*am, wrote:
On Fri, 8 Jul 2011 15:57:49 -0500, "HeyBub" wrote: $150 for a six-by-six inch flat piece of metal is obscene. Nevertheless, I'm considering buying one, using it as a template to make my own, then selling the original on Ebay. I figure my net outlay, then, to be about $10 which is a more reasonable price. Heck, I might even make more than one, sell the copies for $50 each and retire to a mobile home in Bakersfield! If I decide to do that, members of this group will get first crack at the product. Let me know when you run a successful small business doing that. *Did you factor in the cost of insurance? *having your product tested and approved by Wyle Labs (probably 10's of thousands of dollars)? ...writing installation manuals? *...paying employees? * ...paying federal, state, and local taxes? *...and last, but not least, making enough money to live on? Maybe you can run a hobby business where your labor is free, but I doubt you can run a real business at those prices. *If the raw materials cost $10 and they sell it for $150, trust me that they aren't left with $140 in the bank at the end of the day. Not to mention, based on his long history of posts, HeyBub is the last guy I'd expect to be bitching about a company being free to sell their product at whatever price the market will bear and reaping the rewards of their efforts. And that's exactly what they do. Products aren't priced based on the cost of materials. They are priced based on what will maximize revenue for the company. To price figure that out, they would be looking at alternate solutions. A full transfer switch and installation is going to cost many times that $110. Which makes it looks like a good value proposition to me. If he wants to bitch about something, there are certainly far better targets. An example would be repair part prices for many appliances. $25 for a black plastic knob that goes on the end of a mechanical thermostat in a cooler, for example. |
#35
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Refrigerator Backup (Prius battery)
To answer another question, the 12 volt battery is in the trunk making it easy to directly attach to it and store the inverter there. http://hiwaay.net/~bzwilson/prius/priups.html |
#36
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Refrigerator Backup (Prius battery)
On 7/11/2011 9:20 PM, Congoleum Breckenridge wrote:
To answer another question, the 12 volt battery is in the trunk making it easy to directly attach to it and store the inverter there. http://hiwaay.net/~bzwilson/prius/priups.html another: http://www.priups.com/misc/intro.htm |
#37
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Refrigerator Backup
On 7/9/2011 4:07 AM, mike wrote:
wrote: On Jul 7, 2:09 pm, mike wrote: When I contemplated the transfer switch, I discovered that my house has 30 feet of wire between the meter base and the first breaker. This violates current code, big-time. There's some question about what changes inside the breaker box might require bringing the whole service entrance up to current code. Curious as to what part of the NEC this violates? Good point. Maybe it's a local thing. A friend just upgraded his service. They wouldn't let him put the first breaker more than one stud-spacing away from the service entrance. Seems they're worried about some contractor driving a nail thru the cable. The first current limit is on the other side of the transformer on the pole at 8KV or some such. Something about arc-fault. If you get an arc started, it just keeps burning itself back until it reaches a place where the separation is great enough to extinguish the plasma. The house is well up in flames long before that happens and there's nothing you can do but watch it happen...assuming you weren't blinded in the initial flash. The restriction is not on length of service wires from meter to disconnect but length of service wires inside the building. The code section is: "the service disconnecting means shall be installed at a readily accessible location either outside ... or inside nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors." (230.70 A-1) With minimally protected service conductors you want problems kept on the outside the house. If the disconnect is distant from the meter the service is run most the way on the outside the building then inside and immediately to the disconnect. Or the disconnect can be adjacent to the meter. Or the service wires can be under a concrete floor and they are considered outside the building. Did you see the post in this thread about using one of the add-on interlock systems? As I understand it, the interlock system are not allowed by the code, but are often "passed". Problem with my box is that the breakers flip the opposite direction from the breakers anticipated by the interlock systems. I'd have to have fingers that reach around the switches and lock out on the outside edge. Other problem is that there's no room in the box for the extra breakers for the generator inputs. It's just much easier/safer to leave it alone. The interlock system linked to by james should be code compliant. So are the listed transfer switch units, some of which only handle a few circuits. Another method that has appeared here before is to install a double pole double throw switch (not single pole) that switches to an "inlet", which is the reverse of an outlet. Switch ratings of 15, 20, and 30 amps are not hard to find. An extension cord from the generator plugs into the inlet. The switch, technically, would have to be rated to switch between power sources. -- bud-- |
#38
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Refrigerator Backup
On Jul 8, 8:41*am, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote: Have you actually tried it? I bought a marine battery and inverter, many years ago. I thought it would run my furnace, but it did not. I never did get it to work. That same furnace ran fine off my generator. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus *www.lds.org . wrote in message ... I am actually planning to use a 1.5 kw inverter connected to a Prius. It can run my frig including start-up. Any speculations on why the battery/inverter setup failed to run the furnace? I have a relatively new furnace, and I don't want its control board getting clobbered by a few spikes in the genny output. |
#39
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Refrigerator Backup
Michael B wrote in news:66f807d6-42be-4442-ab62-
: On Jul 8, 8:41*am, "Stormin Mormon" wrote: Have you actually tried it? I bought a marine battery and inverter, many years ago. I thought it would run my furnace, but it did not. I never did get it to work. That same furnace ran fine off my generator. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus *www.lds.org . wrote in message ... I am actually planning to use a 1.5 kw inverter connected to a Prius. It can run my frig including start-up. Any speculations on why the battery/inverter setup failed to run the furnace? I have a relatively new furnace, and I don't want its control board getting clobbered by a few spikes in the genny output. I'd say it depends on the requirements/sensitivity of the AC device. Inverters can put out a modified sine wave, sawtooth wave, square wave or virtually the same wave as the power company. Then there's the quality of voltage amplitude, frequency and ability to maintain phase. It's always about the money...how much you pay for the inverter. Many things will run on crap waves just fine, some run but less efficient, some run and screw up the device to some extent. Couple of links to inverter output waveforms. http://www.lenrek.net/experiments/inverter http://www.pcguide.com/ref/power/ext...cOutput-c.html |
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