Power Inverters

[jekjr]

Do any of you have any stories on successes and or failures using power inverters.

I have a 1500 watt inverter that I keep in my truck that I have used many times in the last 7 or 8 years. I have run an electric chainsaw, electric hedge trimmers, an air compressor, an electric impact wrench, and numerous other things with it.

One time the power was off and I used it to keep the fans running and the curing light working in my windshield crack repair shop.

 

[BHLC]

Do any of you have any stories on successes and or failures using power inverters. I have a 1500 watt inverter that I keep in my truck that I have used many times in the last 7 or 8 years. I have run an electric chainsaw, electric hedge trimmers, an air compressor, an electric impact wrench, and numerous other things with it. One time the power was off and I used it to keep the fans running and the curing light working in my windshield crack repair shop.

We have a 3500 watt that runs the microwave! Haha!

 

[mullins87]

I think they are very handy to have. Only thing is you have to always be mindful of the amperage draw on your battery.

 

[jekjr]

The 1500 watt was a bust as far as running the air compressor. Might have been the battery was not big enough. I tried it on the battery in my camper.

The battery is only a few months old. Anyway I scrapped the idea.

 

[briggs]

I have a 1500 in my truck I use it in the felid works ok for what it is

 

[jekjr]

I have a 1500 in my truck I use it in the felid works ok for what it is

I use mine pretty often as well from the batteries on my truck. I have a Dodge 2500 with a Cummins. It has 2 Battteries. I was trying to use it on a trailer with a deep cycle to operate an air compressor.

 

[mullins87]

Did it run the compressor for a short time, or did it not run it at all? If it only ran for a short time, then your battery capacity is too small. If it didn't run at all, then either get a larger inverter or a smaller compressor. I have a 3,000 watt inverter than ran a small compressor long enough for me to build a workbench and lots of shelving in my outbuilding. That compressor is great for airing tires and such, but it was barely able to keep up with a framing nail gun if I didn't get in too big of a rush.

 

[jekjr]

Did it run the compressor for a short time, or did it not run it at all? If it only ran for a short time, then your battery capacity is too small. If it didn't run at all, then either get a larger inverter or a smaller compressor. I have a 3,000 watt inverter than ran a small compressor long enough for me to build a workbench and lots of shelving in my outbuilding. That compressor is great for airing tires and such, but it was barely able to keep up with a framing nail gun if I didn't get in too big of a rush.

It would not start it. The compressor would try to start but would not run on it. I use the inverter at times with my small compressor hooked to my Dodge pickup. It has two batteries.

 

[briggs]

I use mine pretty often as well from the batteries on my truck. I have a Dodge 2500 with a Cummins. It has 2 Battteries. I was trying to use it on a trailer with a deep cycle to operate an air compressor.

Mine is on my blazer I use it to run my grinder ,electric impact,chagre my drill,Saws all and a lot more ,,,If I want to use my compressor I take my small one and my champion generator but I don't use it much makes to much noise lol .....I hate using my compressor in the shop to it drives me nuts lol

 

[wjjones]

I have been looking at several options lately including solar panel systems.