rated current vs starting current

Watch_Cowspiracy · May 28, 2019

I'm in the market for a new inverter to power a vitamix blender. It's rated at 1400 watts, but iirc AC electric motors require significantly more power to start the motor than to keep it running. My question is, does this apply to the vitamix and if so, how much leeway should the inverter have?

tx2sturgis · May 28, 2019

Those are powerful blenders, I see some are rated at over 2 horsepower. Wow....

You are going to need a hefty inverter, and the battery capacity to handle large current surges.

Keep in mind that most blenders can be started on lower speeds and dialed up, reducing the huge current surge.

Without actually having used one, my guess is that you will need a 2000 watt inverter with a 3000 watt surge capability. I would also suggest a pure sine wave unit...the cost is going to be high for a good one in that range.

Just how much money will you want to spend on a daily smoothie?

:-/

Ticklebellly · May 28, 2019

A lot of inverters are rated in continuous mode and advertise a surge capacity. I suggest you ask the sales person for information they are willing to back up with a test run of the blender, in the store.

Watch_Cowspiracy · May 30, 2019

I'm happy to drop a few hundred bucks now since it could save me a few hundred thousand in healthcare costs down the road. Watch www.whatthehealth.com

Watch_Cowspiracy · Jul 2, 2019

Got my answer, posting it here in case it helps anybody else. I got a 1500 (continuous) watt inverter and it does work with the nutribullet even while the AC mini fridge is running. It doesn't like to get up to speed however, so I have to tilt it upside down, removing the strain on the motor, to get it up to fully power up. In the future I may get a larger inverter and would recommend others do the same if budget allows.

dandecat · Dec 25, 2021

This is helpful. I want to use a vitamix blender also in the van but have a 500 watt inverter (not sure if it's continuous) so it looks like that won't be enough. I was hoping that my inverter would at least run a nutribullet, but it looks like not, either. May have to eat my smoothies for a little while yet. If you have more info please lmk. Thanks!