Inverter question...!

[miserkris]

Just got a 1000watt inverter from HF....for like $63.
Should run from ca r battery , enough to power return pump , k3, and 3 150w heaters.

This with battery bubblers should be ok for a 3 day outage for a 75g in a cold basement.

Assuming I keep running the engine often. Am I good ??

The HF guy advised I get a jump start cable to wire it.so I got one...it's very thick wire.. .says its 12' 10gauge but cable looks thick.
http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/battery/12-ft-10-gauge-heavy-duty-booster-cables-69294.html
I must strip one end and screw it to inverter. The other end can clamp to car battery with the alligator clip.

Didn't come with fuse. Can I use it without fuse?if I should can I just get a 50a fuse from HF ?

Here it is
http://www.harborfreight.com/1000-watt-continuous-2000-watt-peak-power-inverter-97047.html

Can I just hook this booster cable without hard wiring and just use clamps on both sides?

Pls advice.thanks

Kris

 

[thirty5]

Just got a 1000watt inverter from HF....for like $63.
Should run from ca r battery , enough to power return pump , k3, and 3 150w heaters.

This with battery bubblers should be ok for a 3 day outage for a 75g in a cold basement.

Assuming I keep running the engine often. Am I good ??

All depends on what the wattage is on the k3 and the main pump. And a vehicle battery is really not meant for such a long draw. If it was a deep cell battery it would not be an issue. Not sure how long it will run unless you run the vehicle. I would check the specs on the pumps and see what the draw is on them.

 

[JimmyR1rider]

To expand on what thirty5 said. A car battery is known as a starting battery you need a cycling battery to do that properly. It's also not great on the engine to have the car idling for any extended period and you're alternator is goin to hate you for making it charge a near dead battery over and over. It'll get you through but just if you're not going to drop the coin on a generator buy yourself an EV group 31 battery. It's meant to power electric vehicles such as golf carts all day and has a hard core level of reserve capacity and keep it on a battery tender when not in use. The tender doesn't just charge the batteries you hook them up to, it diagnoses the battery and gives it exactly how much current is needed to extend the life of it.

 

[miserkris]

All depends on what the wattage is on the k3 and the main pump. And a vehicle battery is really not meant for such a long draw. If it was a deep cell battery it would not be an issue. Not sure how long it will run unless you run the vehicle. I would check the specs on the pumps and see what the draw is on them.

2 x k3 are like 20w. 3heaters 150 wat and the other 75w and 50w.

That's it so total of 300w....drawing from a 1000w inverter.

Can I connect the alligator clamps directly to the battery and the other end I am planning to strip and wireit directly to inverter input.

Please advice sandy is fast approaching lol
Thanks

Oh by the way I was planning to run the engine once every 30 minutes.

 

[masterswimmer]

Just got a 1000watt inverter from HF....for like $63.
Should run from ca r battery , enough to power return pump , k3, and 3 150w heaters.

2 x k3 are like 20w. 3heaters 150 wat and the other 75w and 50w.

That's it so total of 300w....drawing from a 1000w inverter.

Kris

I see 450w in heaters (3 x 150w)
2 x K3 = 20w
75w
50w
--------------------
595w Total

That looks like double your 300w estimate. Either way your 1000w inverter should handle it, but your draw on a car battery (not recommended as detailed by Jimmy above) is much greater that you've estimated.

I 2nd Jimmy's advice on a marine deep cycle battery.

Russ

 

[masterswimmer]

BTW, from the link you provided to the HF site with your inverter on it:

Not for marine use.

I'd say you should be very cautious.

Russ

 

[miserkris]

Hi russ , I only have 3 heaters they are 150,75,50 watts.....my estimate is ok.

The 50w is for my fuge.it has dsb , pods , macro , some snails....I have a air stone for fuge. Without heat it will be at 63f min .will pods be ok at 63f ?
If yes then I don't need to heat fuge.
Thx

 

[thirty5]

If you are running your main pump, does that not put water through the fuge?????

 

[miserkris]

If you are running your main pump, does that not put water through the fuge?????

Sorry I'm only plan running dt now without sump to save power...drain from car battery.that's why.

 

[thirty5]

I am a little confused... You said Return pump.... What kind of system is it that the return pump is not in the sump?