Arduino Controlled Car Inverter

Hi,

I am working on a project for a mechatronics class that I am currently taking. A little overview:

Automatic dog waterer:
I have a 120VAc submersible water pump which will be set in a 5 gallon jug of water. My program has a delay on it to tell the pump to turn on every 12 hours and refill the water bowl. My problem is that I have an AC continuous pump when plugged in. I found an old 12VDC to AC car inverter at my house and thought that I could just use the positive and negative of the DC ends to connect it to the arduino which in theory could turn it off and on. The arduino as far as I know, only outputs 5V.

My main problem is finding a way to step up a 5V output to a 12V output in order to power the inverter, which will then power my submersible pump in order to fill the bowl. Maybe a PWM signal or something of that sort?

I am just looking for any insight anyone might have.

mcline1:
The arduino as far as I know, only outputs 5V.

My main problem is finding a way to step up a 5V output to a 12V output in order to power the inverter,

This is ALL WRONG

You cannot power an inverter or any motor from the Arduino 5v pin - it cannot provide enough current.

Why not get a 12v pump and use the Arduino to control a relay to switch it on and off?

...R