Did my Inverter Fry the Electric Blanket??

[rv rick]

We have a Dimensions 2000 watt modified sine inverter that has worked great for the last 18 months. Last week, we bought an electric blanket and enjoyed it as the temps started to drop into the low 50's up here in South Dakota (time to head south!). However, when I disconnected the shore power and the inverter took over, both blanket electronic controllers began to smoke and give off that great burning insulation smell! The blanket was off at the time, but obviously still plugged in.

I wondered if somehow the modified sine power provided by the inverter fried the controllers -- anyone have any insight?

Thanks - Rick

[Gary RVRoamer]

Yeap. Electric blankets are notoriously intolerant of modified sine wave power. If you had a pure sine inverter you would have been ok.

[DAN L]

Originally Posted by rv rick

We have a Dimensions 2000 watt modified sine inverter that has worked great for the last 18 months. Last week, we bought an electric blanket and enjoyed it as the temps started to drop into the low 50's up here in South Dakota (time to head south!). However, when I disconnected the shore power and the inverter took over, both blanket electronic controllers began to smoke and give off that great burning insulation smell! The blanket was off at the time, but obviously still plugged in.

I wondered if somehow the modified sine power provided by the inverter fried the controllers -- anyone have any insight?

Thanks - Rick

i have been using a 12v queen dual control mattress pad with good results for over 2 years.
i got it from backwoods solar for about $100.

[Dutch Star Don]

rv rick....There are several electric/electronic items that don't like modified sine waves. Some don't work correctly and others apparently burn up. Someone should probably start a list that we could all add to.

[EJVO]

Originally Posted by RV Roamer [Gary]

Yeap. Electric blankets are notoriously intolerant of modified sine wave power. If you had a pure sine inverter you would have been ok.

Hi Gary
How can we tell if we have a pure sine inverter.
Thanks
Gene

[Route 66]

Originally Posted by EJVO

Hi Gary
How can we tell if we have a pure sine inverter.
Thanks
Gene

By the make and model and it may be marked on the inverter.

[wa8yxm]

To answer the subject question: Can't tell.. Depends in part on how quickly you pulled the plug

And as others said. ELectric blankets do not always play nice on MSW inverters... Though this is the first smoker I have heard of (Just flat refusal to operate is more common) What's worse is there is absolutely no reason to make them like that.. I mean I recall electric blankets and controllers from the 60's and those would play nice with TSW, MSW, Shore power or even DC if you fed them 120 volts. That's all they cared about 120 volts.


There are several other things that do not always work well, or at all, on MSW.. (Depends on makes and models both of the device in question and the inverter, Sometimes they work well, sometimes not,, but smokers are very rare)

[Mandys Man]

Originally Posted by EJVO

Hi Gary
How can we tell if we have a pure sine inverter.
Thanks
Gene

Generally, they are white in color. Both Xantrex and Magnum use white with the Pure Sine wave. Magnum, which is what you probably have, uses Grey for the Modified. Magnum Energy is Modified, MagnaSine is pure.

Look here, and come on down to the Monaco Owners Group more often

[Max Hubrich]

I destroyed a small refridge/freezer in one of my bays with a M.S.W. inverter. It also destroyed the inverter .

Only pure sine wave inverters for me from now on--- They work great for any appliance .

[wa8yxm]

Originally Posted by EJVO

Hi Gary
How can we tell if we have a pure sine inverter.
Thanks
Gene

Iwill give you a very easy way to tell if you have an MSW or TSW...

Take a portable radio.. Tune to any station in the AM band.. Turn the inverter on.. If you are still listening to the station. it's TSW. If there is serious, heavy duty, interference, it's MSW. That simple.

The proper way method 1:

Find the make and model and google it, find the spec sheat and read it.

Method 2: Oscilloscope Feed it to a 'scope and read the screen.. this.. of course. requries that you have a scope (I do) and know how to read it (Likewise)

[Zimectrin]

From a search on this subject....

We replaced our electric blanket this year and noticed that it does not operate on inverted battery power. (the old one did). Just get an error state on the display(flashing 88). Instructions say to unplug, wait, and replug. Same result.

The new one has a digital controller. Works fine on shore power and genset.

Anyone know why and how the blanket knows the difference? There must be some difference between plug and inverted power.

Anything we can do?

We are greatfull for the knowledge of those on IRV2 and thank you for your input.
__________________
Steve & Sherri
2002 Winnebago Journey DL 39QD

Newmar Owners Club

Join Date: May 2000
Posts: 6,389


Your inverter is most likely a modified sine wave inverter, and some appliances, like your digital blanket controller, just don't work or don't work well on a modified sine wave.

Your generator produces a pure sine wave, like shore power.

2 choices.

Get a new blanket like your old one. $$$

Get a pure sine wave inverter. $$$$$$$$$$$

Unfortunately, there is no other solution.
__________________
Adios, Dirk
'07 Dutch Star 4029, '08 Yukon XL, Escapees, NKK, FMCA, Telephone Pioneers, ATA
My Location, My Rig

[wa8yxm]

Originally Posted by Zimectrin

Your generator produces a pure sine wave, like shore power.

If you are otherwise happy with you inverter I'd go for a non-digital controlled (old fashion) electric blanket.. One that could care less if the wave form is less than perfect

Now, as to the quoted text... I have seen shore power traces, and generator power traces.

A good generator is better than shore power

A contractor's model...... Often much worse

My Onan does very well.. (Not quite as good as my Prosine 2.0 but real close) An Genrac 1000 I had was fairly clean.. A Pep-boys specil was... Not so good.

Just so you know

[Sireland]

Where can a person find and purchase the "old" style blankets?
All the info so far has been very helpful! Thanks!
Sue

[DAN L]

Originally Posted by Sireland

Where can a person find and purchase the "old" style blankets?
All the info so far has been very helpful! Thanks!
Sue

we have been happy with our 12v queen size dual control mattress pad heater from backwoods solar online. we have had no problems in 2 1/2 years.