Looking To Run A Refrigerator. What Power Inverter Would I Need?

Would a BESTEK 1000W Power Inverter run my sunbeam 1.7 cu ft fridge. Model REFSB17W. I can't find what the wattage draw on the fridge is. I'm sure you all would know. Thanks Jim

Hi, Jim. Welcome to Trucking Truth's forum!

First, what company are you driving for? Many companies limit inverters to the 12v plug in style - you can't connect direct to the battery. And the plug-ons only go up to 300 watts.

If you need/want simply a cold storage, you can get "iceless" coolers for around $100 either at Walmart or truck stops. I have one of those and, sorry, no ice cream, but it works for milk and sodas.

Amperage X volts = Watts Pay attention to continuous watts on the inverter if u go that route Get the biggest inverter u can afford and use

Thanks for the reply. First on the iceless cooler I have been using an igloo for about a year now. It has worked well but melted the power cord, and in doing so smoked the motor. I might have to go that route again. Yes my company will only allow a plug in style that is why i searched and found the BESTEK 1000W it is a plug in style. it is the only one that has a 12v plug, that is why I am asking wondering if it can work. I am on the fence if a inverted that is 1000 watt can be efficiently run with a plug.

.8 amps x 115 volts = 92 watts. Not sure that .8 amps is the start up draw or the running draw. I'd assume that is the running draw, as I'm sure the start up would be quite higher.

Jim fills in the blanks:

I have been using an igloo for about a year now. It has worked well but melted the power cord, and in doing so smoked the motor. I might have to go that route again. Yes my company will only allow a plug in style that is why i searched and found the BESTEK 1000W it is a plug in style. it is the only one that has a 12v plug, that is why I am asking wondering if it can work.

Put on your thinking cap.

(Self Portrait)

If your Igloo melted the cord, what do you think will happen when you have a more powerful fridge sucking amps through the same size cord/plug setup? (Think about the 12v connection inside the dashboard, where you can't see what's going on.)

This is info regarding Bestech 400 watt continuous inverter " If the power of AC appliance charged exceeds 150W, please use the battery clamps to connect". 150 watts is the Redline and is probably true for most inverters . 12 volt coolers pull around 48 watts and lower temps 40 degrees from ambient. Bottom line is need and money (yours). Me personally I like something like this : Keep your foods and drinks chilled or frozen while traveling with the EdgeStar 43 Quart 12V DC Portable Fridge/Freezer (FP430). For ultimate portability, the EdgeStar 43 quart portable compact refrigerator freezer runs off standard household voltage, or easily connects to the cigarette lighter outlet in your car. This portable refrigerator freezer features a full range digital thermostat that is adjustable from -8 to 50 degrees F and will hold a stable temperature under most conditions. The FP430 may be powered via AC (0.75A) or DC (5.4A @ 12V DC / 2.7A @ 24 DC) power and comes with cables for both applications. This portable refrigerator freezer is great for boaters, campers, hunters, medical transportation/storage, recreational vehicles, cabins and all your outdoor applications. Costs over $400. I like freezers and microwaves . Handy 12-volt portable stove Warms food to 300 degrees Can be used to heat most kinds of pre-cooked food Plugs into most 12V lighter-type sockets Ideal for stews, beans, chops, rice meals, hot dishes/goulash and more. From Amazon $40 Or: Power Hunt High-Performance 12-Volt Portable Microwaves are designed to look better as well as perform better to help you eat healthy while traveling. The "New" Power Hunt Wave Box has an unmatched 660 Watts of power and runs directly on a 12-volt battery.

RoadTrucker only brings you the top-quality 12-volt microwaves from Power Hunt, which you can use in any situations from power outages to life on the road. These microwaves let you cook in minutes using your 12 Volt Vehicle's battery.

What's the 12 Volt secret? Power Hunt products use a patented high capacity plug and socket that hooks directly to the battery, bypassing the lighter plug's low power weakness .

Great for truckers, campers, boaters, even green homes and disaster relief operations. Happy cooking Jim Its all about the money !!

I'd be hesitant about any 120v refrigerator in a truck. An inverter might work fine, but even a beefy inverter is likely to suffer a magic smoke loss if the compressor of any fridge locks up, and that failure might cascade into the 12v system of your truck. If you DO go that route, put a fuse between the fridge and the inverter.

Just because an inverter comes with a plug for a 12 volt outlet it doesn't mean you can automatically get 1000 watts of power. Maximum wattage for a 12V outlet in a vehicle is 150-200. Thats it. If you read the fine print in the instructions for that 1000 watt inverter, it will tell you max watts for the 12 volt outlet adapter. They are really trying to seperate people from their money putting that plug in the box.

The real limiting factor is the wire size of the source power. Cig /acc plugs are only 16 or 18 gauge. 20 amps pushed by 12 volts through that wire size is okay for limited duration. I 'm willing to bet the wire size on those products mentioned ( connected direct to battery) is around 4 gauge, which is substantially larger.