Using 1800W induction cooktop with 400 AH LifePO

[mrybas]

Hi,
I want to use an induction cook top as it will allow me to get rid of propane.
I’m not cooking any lengthy meals, mostly heating water for coffee in the morning and frying a piece of fish or rice in the evening. Not more than an hour use in a day.
Would an 1800W (highest setting) induction cooktop ran through a 3000W inverter and powered by a 400AH LifePO battery be sufficient?

My quick math says it should work, but looking for advice from those with experience with LifePO and induction cooking.

1800W/12V= 150amps
150A x 1hr = 150 AH

[Wood]

I've got a dual burner induction cooktop. Nominally 1800w gross but actually around 1650w max - so you may want to actually check. It works fine on a 2500w modified sine wave inverter.

I just ordered 550AH LiFePO4. I doubt I would have the burners on for more than 15 minutes or so. YMMV.

[Dockhead]

Which inverter? And batteries 400 AH * 12v or what?


At first glance, you should be fine.


I am even as I write this cooking a meal on an induction hob off my Victron 3000VA (note well -- those are not watts) Multiplus. I have 420 AH * 24v of lead batteries, so usable power similar to yours (if I'm right in assuming you are 12v).

My hob is a NuWave with settings of 800, 1300 and 2000 watts. For 95% of all cases, the medium setting, then reduced to low, is perfectly adequate. The inverter will run the hob at 2000 watts but it's rarely needed. I even run two of these at the same time off the inverter; you just have to be a little bit careful with the wattage settings.


For boiling water, I suggest an electric kettle. More convenient then boiling on the induction hob and no less efficient.

[mikedefieslife]

The batteries are the important thing. They need to be able to handle the discharge current without causing damage. The spec sheet should tell you what that max continuous discharge rate is.

A 3000w inverter will have no problem at all with a 1800w induction cooktop.

It might be worth check though if your induction cooktop uses inverter technology. Many don't so when you cook at half power rather than using 900w, it uses 1800w but only half the time. It's an old inefficient way of cooking.

[mrybas]

Originally Posted by mikedefieslife

The batteries are the important thing. They need to be able to handle the discharge current without causing damage. The spec sheet should tell you what that max continuous discharge rate is.

A 3000w inverter will have no problem at all with a 1800w induction cooktop.

It might be worth check though if your induction cooktop uses inverter technology. Many don't so when you cook at half power rather than using 900w, it uses 1800w but only half the time. It's an old inefficient way of cooking.

The battery is rated for 200A continuous discharge 400 peak.

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by mikedefieslife

The batteries are the important thing. They need to be able to handle the discharge current without causing damage.

Replacing the power consumed is also critical. Make sure you do the sums and can produce more than you will be using.

The battery bank does not produce power it only stores power.

[mrybas]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

Replacing the power consumed is also critical. Make sure you do the sums and can produce more than you will be using.



The battery bank does not produce power it only stores power.

800W of solar and upgrading to an externally regulated alternator (100-150 Amp)

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by mrybas

Hi,
I want to use an induction cook top as it will allow me to get rid of propane.
I’m not cooking any lengthy meals, mostly heating water for coffee in the morning and frying a piece of fish or rice in the evening. Not more than an hour use in a day.
Would an 1800W (highest setting) induction cooktop ran through a 3000W inverter and powered by a 400AH LifePO battery be sufficient?

My quick math says it should work, but looking for advice from those with experience with LifePO and induction cooking.

1800W/12V= 150amps
150A x 1hr = 150 AH

3000w inverter will be fine as long as it’s a pure sine model. A modified sine wave may or may not work depending on the model of induction hob and model of inverter.

I did some testing of a hob and based on that I figured about 50amp-hr per day using it for moderate cooking 3 meals per day. You should be fine since you will be using it less.

[slug]

Originally Posted by mrybas

Hi,
I want to use an induction cook top as it will allow me to get rid of propane.
I’m not cooking any lengthy meals, mostly heating water for coffee in the morning and frying a piece of fish or rice in the evening. Not more than an hour use in a day.
Would an 1800W (highest setting) induction cooktop ran through a 3000W inverter and powered by a 400AH LifePO battery be sufficient?

My quick math says it should work, but looking for advice from those with experience with LifePO and induction cooking.

1800W/12V= 150amps
150A x 1hr = 150 AH

Don’t have any comment on your battery inverter installation

Concerning the induction cooktop...they are fantastic

When seating your cooktop be sure that the underside of the cooktop..the location of all the magic little electronic gizmos ..is well ventilated...perhaps even force air ventilated

When overheated these gizmos fail

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by mrybas

800W of solar and upgrading to an externally regulated alternator (100-150 Amp)

A lot depends where you will be cruising. We have just over 1000w of solar in a very unshaded location together with a (derated) 175A 24v alternator.

We can use induction cooking for some of time, but it is certainly not viable in all locations and seasons, at least without running the engine just for battery charging, which is something personally I don’t want to do.

Of course your energy budget will be completely different, but make sure you do the sums. Electric cooking can use considerable amounts of energy and that energy has to be produced.

[mikedefieslife]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

Replacing the power consumed is also critical. Make sure you do the sums and can produce more than you will be using.



The battery bank does not produce power it only stores power.

Yes but that’s as obvious as needing to drink water. The op didn’t ask about charging. When he does than that can be addressed in a more relevant ‘charging LiFePO4 batteries’ thread.

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by mikedefieslife

Yes but that’s as obvious as needing to drink water.

Well, many cruisers when planning their systems get this detail wrong.

We are told that some humans, even in the developed world, don’t drink enough water for good health, so perhaps your analogy is accurate .

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

Well, many cruisers when planning their systems get this detail wrong.. . .

Yes, getting this right demands either careful planning, or a big-ass generator with a big charger attached to it

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Yes, getting this right demands either careful planning, or a big-ass generator with a big charger attached to it

No it doesn’t.

For most couples 1 extra 100ah battery and an extra 160w panel with an MPPT controller will handle their needs.

A Honda EU2200 could directly power the hob or a reasonably sized charger for the batteries.

[Mike Banks]

Yes. That will not be your problem though--you will need to charge those batteries--