Tractor power inverters??

   / Tractor power inverters?? #1  

clovergamecock

Gold Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2006
Messages
268
Location
Clover SC
Tractor
Kubota L2800 4WD FEL
Hi,

What do you all use for power to run things when a 110 outlet is not available? Is there some type of inverter that allows using the tractor or am I just stuck with a portable generator? I need to trim trees and hedges that are way out from my house.

Thanks for the input!
Wade
 
   / Tractor power inverters?? #2  
I've been giving the same thing some thought. Most of the guys I've mentioned it to said "I've seen guys rig stuff up in the past, but these days I'd just buy a battery operated (whatever tool is needed here)..." I personally have many older power tools that have more lifespan left in them than today's new stuff has fresh out of the box, I refuse to get into the cycle of replacing all my tools every few years.

Most inverters plug into an accessory port (cigarette lighter socket), if your tractor has one (mine does not). I've been thinking of pulling the juice off my trailer connector that's on my tractor. I could wire an accessory port to a trailer connector to plug in an inverter, then power what I need from there. That leaves both the tractor and the inverter unmodified (for warranty purposes of each), and I can get the needed connectors at many local stores for cheap. Just be sure you're tractor's alternator won't be overloaded!

Good luck!
 
   / Tractor power inverters?? #3  
I've looked at the cigarette lighter plug in inverters. They are great for electric shavers, tooth brushes and the like but lack the power to run the heavier power equipment. I just use my 3500 watt generator.
 
   / Tractor power inverters?? #4  
You'd have to mount it to pull straight off the battery.....inverters to run power tools will take a fair chunk of amperage and you don't want to be trying to get it out of a cig lighter or accessory power port.
 
   / Tractor power inverters?? #5  
^^^ What he said. A 100 watt inverter will pull 10 amps or so, more than trailer wiring or cigarette lighter wiring can provide. Besides, you will have significant voltage drop going through wiring like that.

To run an electric trimmer or saw, you will probably need a 1000 watt inverter (remember, electric motors start with heavy current). That means 100 amp draw from the battery. (And an expensive inverter). You will want a very short, heavy gage connection to the battery, probably something more like jumper cable wire (#4 or #6 wire at a minimum.)
 
   / Tractor power inverters?? #6  
^^^ What he said. A 100 watt inverter will pull 10 amps or so, more than trailer wiring or cigarette lighter wiring can provide. Besides, you will have significant voltage drop going through wiring like that.

To run an electric trimmer or saw, you will probably need a 1000 watt inverter (remember, electric motors start with heavy current). That means 100 amp draw from the battery. (And an expensive inverter). You will want a very short, heavy gage connection to the battery, probably something more like jumper cable wire (#4 or #6 wire at a minimum.)

I have a few inverters and this one is a Harbor freight model 2,000-4,000 watts That I hook to the tractor battery when needed just using a couple pairs of vise grips using heavy leads and it has run anything I plugged into it . No need to mount it for the small amount of time it's used . I've had this one for years and they work good ,I have found that making sure there is no load when attaching or removing them seems to make them last forever ,Make sure you unplug anything before disconnect and have the switch off seems to work for me ,Also try not to use long extension cords . 003.jpg002.jpg
 
   / Tractor power inverters?? #7  
^^^ What he said. A 100 watt inverter will pull 10 amps or so, more than trailer wiring or cigarette lighter wiring can provide. Besides, you will have significant voltage drop going through wiring like that.

To run an electric trimmer or saw, you will probably need a 1000 watt inverter (remember, electric motors start with heavy current). That means 100 amp draw from the battery. (And an expensive inverter). You will want a very short, heavy gage connection to the battery, probably something more like jumper cable wire (#4 or #6 wire at a minimum.)

I have a few inverters and this one is a Harbor freight model 2,000-4,000 watts That I hook to the tractor battery when needed just using a couple pairs of vise grips using heavy leads and it has run anything I plugged into it . No need to mount it for the small amount of time it's used . I've had this one for years and they work good ,I have found that making sure there is no load when attaching or removing them seems to make them last forever ,Make sure you unplug anything before disconnect and have the switch off seems to work for me ,Also try not to use long extension cords . and yes this will run a large battery charger when you need 200 amps to jump a larger machine .View attachment 331946View attachment 331947004.jpg
 
 
 
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