Homestead mailing list

[Don Bowen <don.bowen AT earthlink.net>]

At 10/3/2004, you wrote:
> I don't know if it is possible, Don, but something like a rice cooker or a 
> crockpot could be working on your food while you travel, if it can be 
> secured. Doesn't take much power. They might even run off the cigarette 
> lighter.

That sounds like a good idea.  Heating elements take a lot of power but our 
large crockpot only requires  250 watts.  Our rice cooker is in storage so 
I could not check it but will do that the next time I am in town.

Power consumed is important.  I do not have an inverter installed yet, 1KW 
modified sine wave units with a battery charger is around $750.  Cheap 
square wave units can be had for under $150 but the square wave units do 
not let heating elements reach full temperature.  250 Watts at 120 VAC is a 
little over 2 amps or 20 amps at 12VDC.  That can easily be supplied by the 
tow vehicle (I have an 8 ga wire from the 150 amp alternator to the 
trailer).  If I remember correctly the rice cooker is only on for maybe a 
half hour so that is only 10 AH from the battery.  Good idea, thanks.

Don Bowen
Awl Knotted Up Woodworking
Valley Center, CA             http://www.braingarage.com