12 Volt-110 Volt Power Inverters

[BGL990]

2300 watts out = 2300 watts in, assuming 100% efficiency. In reality it will be somewhat worse than that. Let's just say 2500 watts in.

power = voltage x current

On the input side:

2500W = 12V x current, or
current = 2500 / 12 = 208A

So, yes it's only 20A out, but will be over 200A from the battery under full load. Battery won't last long at that rate. Of course it would be very rare to need that much power continuously and the extra capacity doesn't hurt in case you need to start up something inductive like a big motor.

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[bdog]

Ever seen the pto genereators? I saw them in the northern catalog. They put out like 20,000 watts, but they are pricey. Seems to pretty cool if you need it. For waht I need the inverter works great, but I like the idea of being able to power up a whole construction site with a tractor.

 

[SkyPup]

We can power quite a bit with our 100AMP PTO generator on a trailer, but for general purposes way out in the lower 40, the simple convient inverter works great. Rarely do I need or want more than 10-20 amps of 110 power to get the job done at my remote sites.

The Optima battery handles it without a whimper too.

 

[TruChaos]

I recently installed a battery switch and accessory port on my tractor. It's breakered at 120 amps. In reality, it takes a bit more than 120 amps to trip a breaker of this size.

The battery switch allows me to completely disconnect all power to the tractor so that no electrical shorts can start a fire, etc. Also, it prevents youngsters from starting the tractor.

The accessory port allows me to plug in a charger or an inverter without opening the hood. I have a 2500 watt unit ($89 at Costco) which I NEVER use at it's rated capacity.

See that attached pictures

 

[TruChaos]

See attached picture of the accessory port protuding from under the edge of the hood.

 

[Highbeam]

Thanks Brad for defending my math. It's not the 20 amps AC that is the problem here. It is the 200+ amps needed from the tractor. Just sizing the wire for 200 amps will tell you that this is a big deal. My lincoln welder welds 1/2" plate in one pass with 230 amps, this is mucho current.

The last couple of pictures demonstrate the right way to install the 12 volt side of the system. You need a macho circuit breaker, macho wiring, and a macho connector, all rated for the high amperage you plan to use. I hope you have a good welding supply house for this heavy gauge equipment. Now if you really only intend to use a small part of what the inverter can produce then the 12 volt side can be limited with a smaller fuse at the battery and then the whole system can be downsized.

I really like the way the disconnect is wired in there. Great idea.

This is not unlike wiring in a winch to a pickup truck. In fact, the wiring can serve dual duty if you want to use it for one of those receiver hitch mounted winches. Also the connectors can be utilized to jump start your tractor if the battery ever dies from the inverter use. Might not be a bad upgrade after all.

Just don't make the mistake of underestimating the current required from the battery and realize that you can burn up the wires/tractor without appropriate fuses.

 

[shaley]

My 1000 watt inverter draws 100 amps at 12v. Had to use 2Ga. wire from the battery and keep it less than 10ft. Do a google search on "Peukert's equation" and you will find that inverters are very limited at high power but they are great for running drills and grinders.