2000w inverter ok to power washing machine?

[Darren]

Hi,

A few months ago I sold a 600w inverter (1200w spike) to a guy that tried to
run a 150w fridge off it, that blew up the inverter.

I now have a customer wanting to buy a 2000w (4000w spike) inverter to power
a 500w washing machine, would this inverter take the starting load of the
washing machine?

Thanks
Darren

 

[Dingus]

.... dunno, try it!

 

[atec]

what horsepower ?. I suggest it might ( a big maybe) but I wouldn't want
to be holding the warranty.

 

[KLR]

Hi,

A few months ago I sold a 600w inverter (1200w spike) to a guy that tried to
run a 150w fridge off it, that blew up the inverter.

I now have a customer wanting to buy a 2000w (4000w spike) inverter to power
a 500w washing machine, would this inverter take the starting load of the
washing machine?

Thanks
Darren

Things like fridges and air-con as well have massive starting currents
- that can get even worse still if the piston in the compressor
stopped just before TDC when the motor was last turned off, and it
takes a massive current to get it moving against all this pressure.
To make matters worse - refrigeration compressors are starting and
stopping many many times a day

I dont think that a washer would be quite as bad as this myself,
however when I look at the surges my old simpson 6kg upright washer
put on the power line (would briefly dim every light in the house
quite noticably when its motor started), I would be very hesitant to
try one of these on the inverter without consulting the maker of the
inverter.

Also may depend on the type of motor used too. Some - Like the fisher
and paykel smartdrive (and probably many others these days) have a
totally different motor altogether and may or may not be better to use
with such an inverter.

Another problem may occur with the newer computer operated washers. I
have a friend with a home breadmaker (computerised like most if not
all of them these days). and the CPU in it refused to run or even turn
on if the thing was run from an inverter, it worked fine on the mains
however.

I had the same myself with a cordless drill charger for a DEWALT.
Wouldnt work at all on an inverter !!
I would check the actual washer myself first in case of this problem




if you are going to be running these regularly I would be suggesting
that they look at the viability of a diesel powered alternator.
Running this for an hour or so to do the washing/ironing etc shouldn't
be a great hassle or massive running cost for them

The inverter can be used continuously to run all the small loads in
the house that are on/ or need to be used without notice all the time,
lights, TV, other small appliances

 

[Landline]

It depends on the type of motor. For example we have a Lemair automatic
washing machine that runs perfectly from a DSE 300w modified sine wave
inverter. There are heaps of these Lemair washing machines in use by
caravan and campervans. They only take 2.5kgs and have no electronics in
them. They are made in Russia and a classy bit of engineering all for $289

Anything with electronics may need a pure size wave inverter. The large
majority of modern washing machines rely heavily on electronics and
frequency control for motor speed.

For example my Makita battery charger, Remington shaver charger, mobile
phone charger all fail to work from a modified sine wave inverter.
I have a 150w Jaycar pure sine wave inverter to run all that type of gear.

You can often reduce the start current on motors required to run from
inverters or generators by adding extra start capacitors or extra start/run
capacitors. Find out about that from a motor rewinder. The motor rewinder
will need to see the motor type to see what needs to be done and how they
need to be connected.