Inverter size

[schmism]

For that kind of money, I'd just get a Honda 2000 Watt generator. Small, quiet, portable.

for what kind of money? you mean nearly $1000?

Honda EU2000i Generator - Camping World

im trying to find a portable power solution for small quick projects that is UNDER $300...

 

[RonMar]

Peukert Law states the more current draw from a cell the less available AH you will have. The stated AH capacity (group 24, 27, 30 etc.) is at a stated draw down current and it isn't very high at that.

If you are not expecting to use the inverter at high current then it will be OK.
I have a Xantrex 1000W in my truck and it would run both diesel batteries down over night while running only a small chest freezer at 300w.

You are correct, most battery AH figures are for a discharge over a 20 hour period. Some manufacturers give rateings for a 10 hour discharge, but they are of course less. Discharging at any faster rate is less efficient as the excess current flow thru the internal battery resistance makes heat, instead of providing the current to power the load.

 

[_RaT_]

For that kind of money, I'd just get a Honda 2000 Watt generator. Small, quiet, portable.

You took the mouth right out of my words . A little, portable, dependable, invertor Honda 2000iu would be so handy for so many reasons. I say simplify. If all else fails, the Honda will have great resale, the invertor etc., won't

 

[SPYDERLK]

Dont underestimate the convenience factor of having significant AC power at the flip of a switch on your tractor.

Here is text of my posting in a previous thread regarding experience with inverters on tractors.

I have direct experience with running Remingtons 14" Limb and Trim on both Xantrex and Vector 1000W inverters. This has turned out to be a long term compatible combination. The saw is rated at 8.0A, 120VAC, which means it requires around 960W at load. The Xantrex has been mounted on our BX1500 hood for years and the Vector is on the Kub 2550 also long term. The invertors pull about 100A to run the saw so DC wiring must be good. This is more than the tractors alternators put out but with the engine running even on the little one - - a 10A alternator - - you can do several continuous minutes of heavy cutting or 20-30min limbing before the inverter cuts out due to low supply voltage. I have had trouble with other inverters in these useage conditions. These are mechanically and electrically robust. Ive had no problem with the startup surge except when I had a poor DC connection. You can spot check those by running a 500W shoplite or other substantial load and measuring across each DC connection with a digital Voltmeter. This will allow you to compare the quality of each individual connection. You want very low voltage readings like 0.1V or less at this 60A load. If not, the higher loads inherent in startup will cause the inverter to kick out because it isnt getting high enuf supply voltage.
I love these things - lets my wife use a chainsaw. She cant pull enuf to start a gas.
The 1kW Xantrex cost me $70 at Costco. Its been on the hood of the BX 3yrs sometimes in the rain. No problems. Cheap. When they sold the line out the price dropped to $30 and I bought 2 more. Xantex makes a 1.5KW that I want to put on the big Mahindra. Regarding running the tractor at high RPM to get good charging system output - In my experience a 1500rpm idle is sufficient to get very near max alternator output. Battery/charging system/tractor have never been an issue. You dont even have to run the tractor for incidental cuts or use of drills or recip saws. A circular saw needs all you can get out of the 1kW tho. The 1.5KW would be right.
Larry

PS- NO problems with battery life. They last for years - Just run the engine. If you have to park it shortly after inverter use you can charge your battery w an auxiliary charger by connecting at the inverter DC input terminals. Check batt fluid more often.

 

[schmism]

Here is text of my posting in a previous thread regarding experience with inverters on tractors.

this is exactly like the feedback i was looking for thanks

 

[Neil L]

I too have been thinking of an inverter for my TC29 but got the heebbies. Now it sounds like something I need to reconsider (wife cutting firewood!!!)

 

[escavader]

At my camp i use a 700 watt inverter with 6 deep cell marine batterys all hooked in tandom..My generator will charge these in about an hour,and i can run my refrigerator,radios,and a fan for about 12.When its hot out or the woodstove is driving us out the friDge runs more so its more like 8.The only thing i dont like about an inverter[at least mine]it shuts down when the power gets down to like 11.9 volts or something like that[safety feature].I dont know if its because you cant convert power over any lower than that,or its to protect a regular battery.These deep cell batterys are designed to run down to nothing,so i consider them a waste of money ,because the inverter doesnt let me use all the available power that is stored.The inverter also has its own cooling fan,which uses power.I have run a few power tools a little bit on it,but it is not your answerin my book.buy a generator.
ALAN

 

[SPYDERLK]

At my camp i use a 700 watt inverter with 6 deep cell marine batterys all hooked in tandom..My generator will charge these in about an hour,and i can run my refrigerator,radios,and a fan for about 12.When its hot out or the woodstove is driving us out the friDge runs more so its more like 8.The only thing i dont like about an inverter[at least mine]it shuts down when the power gets down to like 11.9 volts or something like that[safety feature].I dont know if its because you cant convert power over any lower than that,or its to protect a regular battery.These deep cell batterys are designed to run down to nothing,so i consider them a waste of money ,because the inverter doesnt let me use all the available power that is stored.The inverter also has its own cooling fan,which uses power.I have run a few power tools a little bit on it,but it is not your answerin my book.buy a generator.
ALAN

I agree. Those safety cutoffs Vs are set too high for high drain conditions. The idea for the safety cuttoff is to assure that you never run one of the cells in the 12 V batt completely dead while the others are still sourcing current. If this happens the strong cells will forcecurrent to continue flowing thru the dead cell and charge it backwards. This is very harmful. For that reason safety cutoff is always set at at least nominal bat V minus one cell. They have gone overboard in their protection except for low drain situations. A battery drained slowly, say 5 or 10 amps for a car batt, is pretty dead at 11.5 - which is about what they seem to be setting it at these days. Doesnt let you get a decent percent of discharge at hi drain tho. 10 or 10.5V cutoff would be gould in my opinion. That would let you pull 100A until the battery was about 50%.
larry

 

[Soundguy]

Actually.. I'd think the low voltage cutout is more for overcurrent protection than anything else mentioned here.

What happens when your voltage source drops on your constant wattage producer assuming the resistance/inductance of the load is constant? Ding.. yes that's right.. amperage consumption has to go up. These hi-watt inverters are already placing a pretty brutal strain on a battery.. and then to ask them to up that drain.. and all with the same input wireing? ?

Ohms law and kerchoff's law rule... read em'...

Soundguy

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

This might be too bulky, but here is a thought. Buy 2 6V Golf Cart batteries rated at 220 Ah - 250 Ah and a 1000W - 1500W Inverter and a Battery Isolator. Hook up batteries for 12V. Make a container and mount either permanently or removable on the back of the tractor. This should give lots of power and capacity until back to home for a recharge. The Isolator would give some recharge capability from the tractor charging system. Probable cost - less than $300. the GC battery is much more suitable for discharge / recharge than 12V cranking battery.