Propower 7.2K and Nespresso coffee maker

[kcmarvin]

I have a 2021 F150 Powerboost that I have connected to my travel trailer very successfully with one exception. When I use a Nespresso coffee maker, it does not operate correctly when connected to Propower. It begins its cycle but then immediately stops. It works when connected to the Victron Multiplus Inverter on the trailer (true sine wave inverter) and also works when connected to a Bestek inverter (modified sine wave inverter) but does not work when connected to Propower. It appears that Propower is incompatible with the pump in the Nespresso. I have tested with several different Nespresso machines and have the same results.
Has anyone had either this issue or success with a Nespresso machine. I am concerned that the dealer will have no idea what to do and I get no hits when searching for the problem on the web.

Sponsored

 

[Tomatoboy]

Which Nespresso machine? I’d be curious to see the specs and see if anything stands out.

 

[Eskram]

I got nothing. Other than 'First world problems' ??‍

 

[kcmarvin]

Which Nespresso machine? I’d be curious to see the specs and see if anything stands out.

I have the Nespresso BEC430TTN Pixie and also have tested the Nespresso Essenza Mini with the same results.

 

[SilverPigeon]

What will often happen with appliances is a startup current surge. Some inverters have more headroom above their continuous power output than others do for an instantaneous surge. Unfortunately such surges usually aren't documented in the appliance manual, but most inverters document their surge capability.

Having said that, I find it hard to believe that 7200 watts isn't enough to cope with a surge from pump startup, but without logging, it can't be known. Does the pro power breaker actually trip?

 

[kcmarvin]

I did find the below comment in a Reddit post on Nespresso compatibility with generators: "You’re probably not getting a full wave of AC, required to run the pump which is an oscillating solenoid. "
Other possibilities are that the frequency is varied or incorrect.
Either way, it appears that the Propower inverter may not have the true sine wave as advertised.
I am curious if anyone has had their inverter replaced on their Powerboost due to these kinds of problems. It is still on warrantee so I should probably get the inverter replaced to see if the problem continues. It sure seems a waste to replace an inverter for a coffee machine.

 

[kcmarvin]

What will often happen with appliances is a startup current surge. Some inverters have more headroom above their continuous power output than others do for an instantaneous surge. Unfortunately such surges usually aren't documented in the appliance manual, but most inverters document their surge capability.

Having said that, I find it hard to believe that 7200 watts isn't enough to cope with a surge from pump startup, but without logging, it can't be known. Does the pro power breaker actually trip?

I don't believe a surge is a problem as the Propower runs my air conditioner and microwave in the trailer with a 30 amp connection. The coffee maker starts with about 15 seconds to heat the water heating element then the pump starts for about 1 second before shutting down.

 

[Snakebitten]

The Breville Espresso machine works perfectly with the Powerboost version of ProPower.
I've had many a cup of the nectar of the gods powered by Ford.

Admittedly it is plugged indirectly through the RV 30A shore power chord and electrical system. I'm not sure if that would make a difference?

 

[kcmarvin]

The Breville Espresso machine works perfectly with the Powerboost version of ProPower.
I've had many a cup of the nectar of the gods powered by Ford.

Admittedly it is plugged indirectly through the RV 30A shore power chord and electrical system. I'm not sure if that would make a difference?

Thanks for posting. More info for me to take to the dealer.
Both of my Nespresso machines are also made by Breville and have the problem when connected through the trailer or directly to the 20 amp plug in the truck bed. Since I have a 2021 and you have a 2022, there may be an issue with my 2021 Propower inverter.

 

[JEB]

I did find the below comment in a Reddit post on Nespresso compatibility with generators: "You’re probably not getting a full wave of AC, required to run the pump which is an oscillating solenoid. "
Other possibilities are that the frequency is varied or incorrect.
Either way, it appears that the Propower inverter may not have the true sine wave as advertised.
I am curious if anyone has had their inverter replaced on their Powerboost due to these kinds of problems. It is still on warrantee so I should probably get the inverter replaced to see if the problem continues. It sure seems a waste to replace an inverter for a coffee machine.

Have you tried connecting your Nespresso directly to the truck? I’m not talking about plugging your coffee maker into an outlet in your trailer, which in turn is plugged into your truck. I’m talking about dropping the tailgate and plugging the machine directly into one of the 20A AC sockets in the bed. If you haven’t done that, then you haven’t isolated the truck as the problem. Make sure your generator is fully on and not in lower power mode when you do the test. Otherwise, power will be limited to 400W and the Pixie draws 1260 Watts.

I doubt very seriously that the quality of the current is your issue. The Powerboost inverter draws power directly from the batteries, not the motor. It‘l like a gigantic uninterruptible power supply—very stable..

The way you described the problem it sounds like an overload. It’s easier to do than you think especially if your trailer‘s load center is 30A, meaning it can only take a maximum of 3600W from the truck to run all of your systems.

 

[Snakebitten]

Service writers at Ford Dealerships have probably written the most unique customer described issues with Powerboost customers compared to all other Ford products combined.
And the guy who has fed his family for 30 years repairing traditional ICE vehicles probably just rolls his eyes when he pulls the next ticket and it's an F150 with a generator.

Nobody has EVER written the word espresso on a service ticket until now. ?

 

[Tomatoboy]

I did find the below comment in a Reddit post on Nespresso compatibility with generators: "You’re probably not getting a full wave of AC, required to run the pump which is an oscillating solenoid. "
Other possibilities are that the frequency is varied or incorrect.
Either way, it appears that the Propower inverter may not have the true sine wave as advertised.
I am curious if anyone has had their inverter replaced on their Powerboost due to these kinds of problems. It is still on warrantee so I should probably get the inverter replaced to see if the problem continues. It sure seems a waste to replace an inverter for a coffee machine.

It does look like the model you have has an oscillating solenoid pump. IIRC these basically exploit the sine wave of AC power to operate without any switching circuitry to vibrate the pump. But what’s weird is I’m pretty sure others have confirmed the 7.2kW inverter is outputting a clean enough sine wave as to be unnoticeable by most devices. You don’t by any chance have access to (or a friend with) an oscilloscope by any random chance? Regardless, I’m kind of leaning towards a peculiar overload issue myself. You might try the advice above of running it right from the truck and seeing if it works then. If that still doesn’t work, and you’ve confirmed it’s in full power mode, I’d be wondering two things—1) What is the peak onrush current draw of the Nespresso device and 2) what does the sine wave YOUR truck is outputting look like?

 

[kcmarvin]

Have you tried connecting your Nespresso directly to the truck? I’m not talking about plugging your coffee maker into an outlet in your trailer, which in turn is plugged into your truck. I’m talking about dropping the tailgate and plugging the machine directly into one of the 20A AC sockets in the bed. If you haven’t done that, then you haven’t isolated the truck as the problem. Make sure your generator is fully on and not in lower power mode when you do the test. Otherwise, power will be limited to 400W and the Pixie draws 1260 Watts.

I doubt very seriously that the quality of the current is your issue. The Powerboost inverter draws power directly from the batteries, not the motor. It‘l like a gigantic uninterruptible power supply—very stable..

The way you described the problem it sounds like an overload. It’s easier to do than you think especially if your trailer‘s load center is 30A, meaning it can only take a maximum of 3600W from the truck to run all of your systems.

I have connected the Nespresso to the 20amp and 30amp(with adapter) connections in the bed of the truck and got the same results. I tested in the trailer when only 14 watts were being used elsewhere.
I respectfully disagree with your thoughts that the inverter is very stable. Having been manufactured during COVID, it could very well have issues by failure or design. By process of elimination the Propower inverter is the only piece that could be creating the issue. Two other inverters (2,000 and 3,000 watt) tested work fine with the Nespresso.

 

[kcmarvin]

Service writers at Ford Dealerships have probably written the most unique customer described issues with Powerboost customers compared to all other Ford products combined.
And the guy who has fed his family for 30 years repairing traditional ICE vehicles probably just rolls his eyes when he pulls the next ticket and it's an F150 with a generator.

Nobody has EVER written the word espresso on a service ticket until now. ?

Yes, it reminds me of the famous quote: “If you build it, he will come.” ?

 

[JEB]

I have connected the Nespresso to the 20amp and 30amp(with adapter) connections in the bed of the truck and got the same results. I tested in the trailer when only 14 watts were being used elsewhere.
I respectfully disagree with your thoughts that the inverter is very stable. Having been manufactured during COVID, it could very well have issues by failure or design. By process of elimination the Propower inverter is the only piece that could be creating the issue. Two other inverters (2,000 and 3,000 watt) tested work fine with the Nespresso.

Well, I also have a COVID era ‘21 Powerboost and haven’t had a problem and I use it with a high temp coffee maker in and out of a TT that draws 1400 watts—more than your Pixie. Can’t necessarily blame every issue on COVID.

In any event, there has been at least one software update for the DCACA module that controls the inverter for the ‘21 PB. I’d look there first before ripping out the inverter.

Although unlikely, I’d still double check to make sure you did your bed testing at full power (which “respectfully” you haven’t confirmed). The default Pro Power setting when you first turn on the truck is low power. Even the 30 amp adapter would work in low power mode if it was constructed to tap the A circuit (most of these 30A adapters have one dead pin and tap either the A or B circuit but not both) and in that case it would supply only 400 watts unless you manually switched the generator on. Unlike other inverters you may have used, Pro Power has two power modes and it would probably be worth the small time expenditure to double-check which one you used.

Sponsored