stupid question, 'nameplate amps'?

[thinker]

is that just the number of amps drawn per hour?<br />a max, min, or average draw?<br />a start up draw?<br /><br />

 

[gadgetMe]

use an energy monitor such as the Kill-A-Watt to measure its energy draw. Plug the energy monitor into the outlet, then plug the appliance into the monitor.

<br /><br />These are really handy devices,<br /> I still use mine alot, (after 7 years of use) they also keep track of the kwh over time, will tell you the actual voltage coming in,&nbsp; and have a timer built in,&nbsp; sort of like a data logger.<br />Worth having<br /><br />In some instances the actual wattage used is different than what is indicated on the tag..<br /><br />Putz

 

[She]

There are no stupid questions here...just answered ones.

 

[blars]

An amp is a rate unit, batteries are rated in amp-hours.&nbsp; Confusing the two units makes as much sense as calling a mile-per-hour a mile.&nbsp; You need to know the voltage to figure out how much power is consumed, and as others have stated the nameplate usually states the maximum rather than the average.

 

[thinker]

ok, thanks. so, if i have this right, and i doubt i do,<br />an ac unit with 5.8 nameplate amps operating on 110v pulls 638 watts. (assuming a full draw)<br />on a 12 volt system with an inverter, it pulls 53 amps?<br />so on a charged 110 Ah bat you could run the thing for 1 hour.

 

[thinker]

i dream of 600 watts of solar.<br />i dream.