Adding inverter

[SPYDERLK]

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 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.

I paid $70 for the Xantrex inverter at costco. I think battery powered tools get expensive more quickly than an inverter set up, and they limit you to less power and less run time. Its nice not to worry about a cord, but the tools weight with battery adds up.
Larry

I have needed to update my input on this thread for some time to avoid some possible disappointment. As described, the former [blocky shaped] Zantrex Inverter 1000 was bullet proof for me thruout yrs of use and abuse. Finally 2 of my 3 were burned out when I loaned the tractor they were on. Non owners are adept at cutting cords and this does the inverter in. I replaced with the new style [rounded corners] Inverter 1000. As for power it is noticeably inferior, but ok. As for robustness it is very poor by comparison to the old. In the same exact duty I have had 2 just go dead in the last yr - no abuse/cut cord etc. It may be they would last longer in a more sedate environment.:confused2: I cant recommend them tho like I could their predecessor. :thumbdown:
larry

 

[evo803]

I have a 1750watt Xantrex unit connected to 2 group 27 marine batteries and works excellent for power tools,lights,chargers,laptop,dvd player,lcd tv and even a 1500watt microwave. If you have the budget and are aware of the battery and charging requirements it is a very handy setup to have just flick a switch and your in business.It is nice not to have to listen to the drone of a generator sometimes ! I had this in my boat and since removed it and have set-up the batteries and inverter on a small wagon for portability and use a Ctek charger in the garage to keep it charged and maitained ready for use. Great for emergency back-up power as well in the house while I am getting the 6500 watt generator going.

 

[SPYDERLK]

The application I have where the new ones fail and the old ones didnt is in the presence of vibration. I have not yet put a new style into a more sedate service environment. I have 2 more new in the box. One will go on the golf cart. That will be a good test to eliminate the vibration factor. Also, I will open up the failed items and look for something broken.
larry

 

[evo803]

About service enviornment ( see pic ), my unit was in the engine compartment with 2 496 chevy motors and a typical day was cruising around 60-80 mph in 3-5 waves. It was installed for 3 yrs and still works.

 

[Soundguy]

The application I have where the new ones fail and the old ones didnt is in the presence of vibration. I have not yet put a new style into a more sedate service environment. I have 2 more new in the box. One will go on the golf cart. That will be a good test to eliminate the vibration factor. Also, I will open up the failed items and look for something broken.
larry

look for broken leads on any components, or cracked pc boards.. especially around mounting points, or where components are perhaps heatsunk to a frame and then soldered to the board. it's it's a double sided single level board, cracked traces can be fixed pretty easilly, as can some component leg failures, if they failed at the pc board.

some manufacturers obliterate the numbers on the components to prevent you from replacing them.. some don't

soundguy

 

[gtrippleb]

The application I have where the new ones fail and the old ones didnt is in the presence of vibration. I have not yet put a new style into a more sedate service environment. I have 2 more new in the box. One will go on the golf cart. That will be a good test to eliminate the vibration factor. Also, I will open up the failed items and look for something broken.
larry

You could always try some rubber mounts to place the inverter on. I've thought about using an inverter for my remington pole saw but I just use a long extension cord.

 

[psj12]

I tried using my 1,000 watt inverter to power my small LP gas heater with a built in blower motor during a power outage. The blower would only run at about half speed. It is an induction type motor. I then tried it out on power tool type motors and it worked fine.

This tells me the modified sine wave may not be good for induction motors like those found in refridgerators and freezers but works well on brush type motors.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I tried using my 1,000 watt inverter to power my small LP gas heater with a built in blower motor during a power outage. The blower would only run at about half speed. It is an induction type motor. I then tried it out on power tool type motors and it worked fine.

This tells me the modified sine wave may not be good for induction motors like those found in refridgerators and freezers but works well on brush type motors.

That surprises me a bunch. I have noted the effect but to much less degree EXCEPT window fans. The normal induction motor should run at near synchronous speed or draw a pretty large current for its size. On small lightly loaded motors 90/95% speed should be accomodated OK. Window fans use a type of induction motor that can actually be stalled w/o damage [shaded pole? ]. Whatever the true designation, maybe that is the type in your heater. That ... or the inverter frequency is low.
larry

 

[Soundguy]

ferro-ressonant supplies suffer pretty badly too. I know not a motor application.. but just talking about inverters running stuff in general.. etc.

soundguy

 

[simenad]

Don't waste your money on the $100 Modified sine wave inverters as they won't run anything with a motor as there is a difference between pure sine-wave and modified sine wave inverters. Pure sine wave inverters work a lot better with motors but they are expensive. I use cordless or If I have to bring my welder out, I hook up my 10kw PTO generator.