Coffee maker blues.

[HappyCamper7]

We just had our 4th coffee maker stop working in our Palazzo motor home. The power light will not turn on. We were making coffee while traveling down the road. Any theories about what is causing the problems. The toaster works fine. Do I need a voltage protector? Perplexed in Georgia. Thanks.

[twinboat]

Do you have a modified sine wave inverter. They can cause problems with sensitive electronics.

[HappyCamper7]

We have an inverter. I'm not sure what kind. We were using the inverter when the problem occurred. Any work arounds? Thanks.

[J Birder]

Originally Posted by twinboat

Do you have a modified sine wave inverter. They can cause problems with sensitive electronics.

That is probably correct. You nead a cheap, simple coffee maker with no electronic timer, or other digital controls.

Joel

[HappyCamper7]

Ok. Thanks for your help.

[kgchampagne]

Originally Posted by J Birder

That is probably correct. You nead a cheap, simple coffee maker with no electronic timer, or other digital controls.

Joel

Yup, that is the solution. Look for a coffee maker with a toggle switch on/off. Cuisinart makes a nice one that will work with Genset/MSW inverter. Computerized electric blankets and electronic control space heaters will all suffer the same fate.

[Dale & Mark Bruss]

Actually, some pretty basic electrical devices, like a coffee maker, can be burned out by a Modified Sine Wave (MSW) inverter.

Sensitive devices tend to have power supplies which fend off the spikes in the MSW waveform. The only device we had a problem with in 11 years was the circuit board for the Ice-in-the-Door chute cover. After burning the input diodes twice, we just manually got the ice out pending the replacement with a Pure Sine Wave (PSW) inverter. That has been a round-to-it project.

If you want to make coffee while traveling, either change out the inverter for a PSW type or get a 12 volt DC coffee maker.

[336muffin]

We use a percolator coffee pot these reasons mentioned above. Also takes up very little space, built like a tank, no glass to break etc. With our 23yrs experience camping and many coffee pot failures, it just works.

[MisterT]

our MrCoffee has electronic readout and workings and has never been a problem in 2 years of using it - we don't have it making coffee, though, unless the generator is on, or we are on shore power.

[J Birder]

BTW, many of those devices with electronic controls can be destroyed just by being plugged in to an MSW circuit, even if they are not turned on.

Joel

[wa8yxm]

Coffee makers come in two by several types

Type 1: Basic unit, Has switch, LIGHT, heat element and a couple of Thermostats and a thermal fuse. (you only see the switch and light) these are kind of like the old Flat Head Engines, Only way to kill 'em is with a sledge hammer (Well eventually old age will do 'em in).

The other kind is electronics,, Born looser Comic.. She is commenting she has to set the timer on the coffee cause now days that 1st cup is the most important thing Christmas Morning.

These do not like MSW inverters, And may even object to TSW or Generator power (I was surprised at my Mr. Coffee that did that) The current Mr. Coffee is the nothing but a switch type.

Now.. the light.. It is a Neon lamp, what is called a Gas Discharge Tube.. These too can be affected by MSW inverters. Two different ways.. Depending on the specific lamp they used it might not light on MSW, but work fine on shore power. I can explain why but the short version is it has to do with PEAK voltage as opposed to RMS voltage.. The lamp responds to the PEAK, the heat element to the RMS so it works normally.


Recommendation: Get a unit that is NOT electronic.

[Klc]

Originally Posted by 336muffin

We use a percolator coffee pot these reasons mentioned above. Also takes up very little space, built like a tank, no glass to break etc. With our 23yrs experience camping and many coffee pot failures, it just works.

x2 but ours is glass. I like to watch it perk for the perfect strength. Plus it tastes good

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by 336muffin

We use a percolator coffee pot these reasons mentioned above. Also takes up very little space, built like a tank, no glass to break etc. With our 23yrs experience camping and many coffee pot failures, it just works.

I wouldn't want to use a stovetop percolator while driving down the road, as the OP is doing.

The countertop machines are much more stable.

[jones47172]

Originally Posted by MisterT

our MrCoffee has electronic readout and workings and has never been a problem in 2 years of using it - we don't have it making coffee, though, unless the generator is on, or we are on shore power.

As MrT says, just brew coffee when plugged into shore power or fire up the generator - both will provide pure sine wave.