Running Electric Boot Dryer w/ a truck inverter

[MuleDeerMike]

I'm not very electric savvy and could use some help. I got a new electric boot dryer and the power specs say 120V/60Hz, 250W. Can I plug this into a power inverter then plug that into the cigarette lighter plug in my truck to run it? Or will it burn something up/blow fuses? Would really like to have dry boots at my truck camps and the propane boot dryers suck.

 

[blkqi]

You would want to make sure you have an inverter than can deliver the required 250W power.

 

[MuleDeerMike]

Here's the inverter info. I see constant and peak output, which actually matters for me?

 

[Scorpion]

For the boot dryer I think the constant power would be most important. Peak loading is usually for short duration loads, not extended output.

There are boot dryers out there designed to run off of 12V car outlets. I have one and it’s not bad, doesn’t dry as quickly as the home unit but it works.

 

[rayporter]

300 watts is for a short duration. if you put 250w on that it will probably blow a fuse in time. what that time is i dont know. but it will sure suck down your battery if you dont run the engine..

 

[cnelk]

If you crumple up newspaper and stuff it down in wet boots, they will be dry in the morning.
Save the newspaper, let it dry and use again

 

[wapitibob]

Take it back and get the propane model.

 

[MuleDeerMike]

Thanks for the info guys, I'm going to beef up my inverter and get a new one! And as a Western WA guy I can attest to how great newspaper works, but I want to use the new boot dryer lol.

 

[Scrappy]

I've been using the propane one for like a million years. Get up every morning to dry boots. I built a little box to run it outside even during rain or snow. When its really cold I'll throw a folded towel over them to help them hold more heat to dry.

 

[Antarctica]

I think t he cig lighter receptacle is usually rated at 30 amps, which at 12 volts is 360 watts. The inverter will have inefficiencies, probably runs 90% efficient, so for 250 watt output, is probably drawing 275 watts minimum.

If you're thinking - "I'm under by about a hundred watts", don't. My guess is that you are at the harry edge running a boot dryer flat out. I wouldn't. Plus, unless you run the motor all night, the battery will be dead in the AM.

 

[fmyth]

Thanks for the info guys, I'm going to beef up my inverter and get a new one! And as a Western WA guy I can attest to how great newspaper works, but I want to use the new boot dryer lol.

After you beef up the inverter you'll need to run heavier wiring and probably need to go to a dual battery set up with a smart isolator. Some newer vehicles have "smart alternators" that reduce the charging output at lower RPMS like idle. You'll be money ahead by buying a propane boot dryer.

 

[rayporter]

pretty sure Antarctica has it nailed
even with a new inverter i think you will have a dead battery by morning. test at home all night for 2 nights to be sure. the inverter itself takes a certain amount of power to run -even with nothing plugged in.

if you are set on battery i would buy an extra marine or rv battery and a solar panel.

 

[11boo]

I’m a master electrician. Don’t try that inverter/dryer combo. The propane version is what you want. A hot tent is even better.

 

[MuleDeerMike]

What about a 1000 watt inverter hooked up straight to the battery with the truck running? Still a no no? My brother has a 1000 watt inverter is why I ask, so no more money lost yet.

 

[MuleDeerMike]

We have a propane one, but it takes forever to dry. Cascade mountains wet, is reallllly wet.

 

[MuleDeerMike]

View attachment 181030
I've been using the propane one for like a million years. Get up every morning to dry boots. I built a little box to run it outside even during rain or snow. When its really cold I'll throw a folded towel over them to help them hold more heat to dry.View attachment 181031

That's pretty slick! Good idea.

 

[fmyth]

What about a 1000 watt inverter hooked up straight to the battery with the truck running? Still a no no? My brother has a 1000 watt inverter is why I ask, so no more money lost yet.

Depends on the truck. Some newer vehicles have "smart alternators" that put out very little at idle.

 

[Billy Goat]

1000 watt inverter will do it, but how much fuel will you burn to have the dry boots? If your going to go that far why not get a small generator. Run several boot driers.

 

[mtnbiker208]

small generator

 

[11boo]

We have a propane one, but it takes forever to dry. Cascade mountains wet, is reallllly wet.

I wondered how those worked. Burning propane generates moisture.

bottom line, an inverter large enough to run a boot dryer is going to draw a fair bit of power. A 1k watt inverter will kill the battery pretty quick unless the vehicle is running.

you don’t have a tent stove?