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Will a 2000 watt inverter power a regular size house fridge or freezer

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by supersnackbar, Sep 7, 2017.

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  1. Sep 7, 2017 #1
    supersnackbar

    supersnackbar Road Train Member

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    Not sure where to put this thread...Mods, please move if you feel it's more appropriate in another section.

    Since we have a lot of experienced truck drivers with apu/inverters on the forum, I figured I would ask. Will a 2000 watt (continous, higher surge rating) power a normal house refrigerator or deep freeze. The reason I ask is Irma is knocking on FL's door. The last time we had something like this in my area (extreem north FL, inland), the path of the 1st of many Hurricanes that hit our state, went directly over our house. Even though we were 100 miles from either coast, we still took some damage, mostly trees down at my house. However, because a lot of rural areas in FL have co-op power companies, power was out for days, and weeks in some area. Our house was out for 9 days. (The rural co-ops don't get as much outside support because the neighboring states power company's crews are directed towards major population areas for the most part).

    We have food, water and sturdy shelter, but we also have a lot of food in deep freeze freezers. We don't get hit like this often, so we have never invested in a big generator. I have a 2000 watt inverter (3000 surge) that runs an appartment size fridge in my truck, but does anyone know if a house size fridge or freezer has too high of a surge at startup to run off of it?
     
    supersnackbar, Sep 7, 2017
    supersnackbar, Sep 7, 2017
    #1
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  3. Sep 7, 2017 #2
    CoyoteExpress

    CoyoteExpress Medium Load Member

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    JP it will work
     
    CoyoteExpress, Sep 7, 2017
    CoyoteExpress, Sep 7, 2017
    #2
    flood Thanks this.
  4. Sep 7, 2017 #3
    snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    What do you plan on using for power to the invertor.

    Batteries won't last long at all.
     
    snowwy, Sep 7, 2017
    snowwy, Sep 7, 2017
    #3
  5. Sep 7, 2017 #4
    Rontonio

    Rontonio Road Train Member

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    The issue will be start up on the compressor. Just like an ac unit the start up surge may trip the beaker on your generator - from a quick search it looks like it will take birth of 7 amps to get the compressor started. Definitely worth the try if you already have the genny and 10 gallons of gas
     
    Rontonio, Sep 7, 2017
    Rontonio, Sep 7, 2017
    #4
  7. Sep 7, 2017 #5
    tucker

    tucker Road Train Member

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    But you fridge and inverter will be under water.
    Do inverters work under water would be a better question?
     
    tucker, Sep 7, 2017
    tucker, Sep 7, 2017
    #5
    4mer trucker and 77fib77 Thank this.
  8. Sep 7, 2017 #6
    flood

    flood Road Train Member

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    9 years ago we had a tornado knock power out for 4 days,

    I parked the truck next to the house and ran a drop cord to the fridge. Just idled for 3 days till i could get a 8,000 watt generator..

    My 1,500 watt inverter did just fine
     
    flood, Sep 7, 2017
    flood, Sep 7, 2017
    #6
    supersnackbar Thanks this.
  9. Sep 7, 2017 #7
    77fib77

    77fib77 Road Train Member

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    It should work. Not all 2000 watt inverters are equal. I have a 2500. It can't do more than 1900. Which doesn't affect me, but I know it.
     
    77fib77, Sep 7, 2017
    77fib77, Sep 7, 2017
    #7
  10. Sep 7, 2017 #8
    uncleal13

    uncleal13 Road Train Member

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    Most fridges have pretty much similar sized compressors. They don't vary much in power consumption, so any consumer grade fridge / freezer you'll be fine.
    I tried a 1,000 watt several years ago, that didn't work a month. Last one was an 1,800 watt, that's worked fine. I current have a 2,500 watt pure sine wave, it works great for my fridge.
    Just make sure to use large enough cables to supply the inverter. I always use welding cable.
     
    uncleal13, Sep 7, 2017
    uncleal13, Sep 7, 2017
    #8
    flood Thanks this.
  11. Sep 7, 2017 #9
    77fib77

    77fib77 Road Train Member

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    I have battery starter cable 0 gauge feeding my inverter. Never thought about welding cable. People have told me to use thick jumper cables and cut off clips and put rings on.
     
    77fib77, Sep 7, 2017
    77fib77, Sep 7, 2017
    #9
  12. Sep 7, 2017 #10
    truckdriver31

    truckdriver31 Road Train Member

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    u this format. amps x 114volts = watts. remember anything that is a/c compressor has start up amps. look at the running or start up amps on the ul white sticker. then use that format.
     
    truckdriver31, Sep 7, 2017
    truckdriver31, Sep 7, 2017
    #10
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