Anyone use a Power Inverter on your tractor?

[jodebg]

Thinking of mounting a power inverter on my tractor and
wondered if anyone has installed one?

Any suggestions as to size, brand name, mounting location, and what can be run?

 

[weedpharma]

This is a very open request! We need info on your usage.

If you just want to charge your phone, you can use any inverter. If you want to run a 10" angle grinder you need to do a lot more calculations on what to get. The first thing to look at is the maximum power rating of whatever you want to run. Then calculate the battery current required. EG, a 600W electric drill would require 600/12 = 50Amps. You then need to know how long you want to run it. Drilling lots of holes in a lot of fence posts total running time 1hr. This would require 50AHrs from your battery.

If you want to run higher power devices, you need to consider how thick your inverter to battery leads are. Too thin a lead will cause problems due to voltage loss at high current.

Give us more information on the use and someone is sure to have the information you want.

Weedpharma

 

[Mendonsy]

The other thing to consider is the size of the alternator on your tractor. Most tractors have barely enough alternator to operate the tractor without any additional loads.

 

[Pooh_Bear]

I have a 700/1400 watt inverter I got at Walmart. I have used it with my tractor a few times. I connect it by clamping the cables onto the battery posts. It will run an electric weed eater just fine. Also an electric hedge trimmer. Also used it with a clamp light a few times. Except for the light, these are all intermittent loads. And the light was about 100 watts or less. I tried running a 350 watt water pump but the inverter pulled too much juice from the battery trying to keep up and the alternator couldn't keep the battery charged, even with the tractor at full throttle. My tractor is an 8N and I'm guessing the alternator is a standard 30amp.

Pooh Bear

 

[dragoneggs]

The other thing to consider is the size of the alternator on your tractor. Most tractors have barely enough alternator to operate the tractor without any additional loads.

Yeah I would say this is perhaps your biggest obstacle. Can't just put in some heavy wire/fuse for an inverter and expect long term success.

 

[otlski]

Hi Neighbor,

I looked up your tractor and found a post suggesting that you have a 14.5 alternator. I do see a 40 amp upgrade kit for the tractor is available. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of either piece of information. That said, assuming the 14.5 amp number is correct, we would multiply the 12 volt battery by the 14.5 amp alternator current and come up with 175 watts. Assuming some efficiency losses you might be able to get 140 watts out of the inverter. For inverters that small I don't think there is such a thing as a higher quality, higher efficiency product available.

So the above calculations assumed that you would be using your device 100% of the time. In another example, a small circular saw might draw 1400 watts continuously. Naturally you now need a larger inverter. However, this means you would have to run on a 10% duty cycle in order for the alternator to keep up. It really is not quite that simple though. The larger inverter requires larger input cables that invariably have higher losses. Inverters also have a parasitic current draw even if the output is not demanding any load. Both these factor push the efficiency down a bit more. Even for this sized inverter you can pay Harbor Freight prices and be okay. The cost of three HF units is the same as perceived higher quality unit. To get actual higher quality you need to spend ten times more.

I think the answer is that a small inverter could be used for small devices but larger devices would require the larger inverter, attention to detail concerning wire quality, wire gauge, and especially operator monitoring the battery voltage to ensure you don't completely drain the battery. Seeing how you have a diesel you can get away with it until you shut the tractor off with a dead battery.

 

[boggen]

ditto...everyone else

have a cheap 20 to 30 buck sump pump that i bought on sale. regular like 60 bucks. it was also the smallest AMPs i could find in a sump pump.
for the s10 blazer, if i use a 12v cig to 110v converter, and normally a 30 footer or so extension cord with the pump. i have to keep the blazer running and use a stick or something to slightly hold down the gas peddle. to keep some RPM's up on the engine. or i will drain the battery dead as a door nail within a few minutes.

if i use the deep cycle marine battery, (trolling motor and/or weed sprayer cart primary usage for battery), if i try to use alligator clips from battery to converter same thing, drains the battery dead quickly.

while the converters do work and have used them multi times, majority of the time i have to drag out the gas generator, vs trying to use the cig 12v to 110v inverter. due to power tools needing to much power for a given length of time.

==============
when i see folks in the buying/comparison forum, i try my best to denote seeing about getting a larger "alternator" for tractor if that is an option for the specific unit they are looking at. due to part trying to use a inverter like you want to do. or using a bigger size "winch" or extra lights on tractor.

having a FEL with generic bucket, or 3pt hitch carry all, or 3pt hitch forks with some lumber across them to hold a regular generator comes in handy for odd/job projects i have around the farm.
i would think a PTO style generator would get in the way for me, ((needing generator separate from tractor)) due to sometimes needing to use both at the same time.

==============
besides the sump pump,
i have used 110v blow up bed inflater, to blow up various rafts, or suck the air out of the rafts for swimming.
charging laptop / running laptop.,
running a small / low amp cheap corded 110v drill when the battery drills go dead, and just need a few more screws or like to get the job done.
running a the small size low amp 110v dremal, "angle grinder needed to many amps" to grind off some bolts/nuts that were rusted together.
using same dremal above, to cut some pvc pipe.

not sure if i have used the inverter for anything else now that i think about it. due to generally all my power tools are the higher amp style tools, vs the cheapest power tool you can find at menards (normally cheapest = smallest amps needed to run them) or like, and requires me to break out the gas generator.

 

[Tor Arne]

I have a 1000w 220v inverter in the tractor that I use to power a grinder for saw chains, and other little things around the farm where I do not bother to drag with me a power generator

 

[dragoneggs]

I have a 1000w 220v inverter in the tractor that I use to power a grinder for saw chains, and other little things around the farm where I do not bother to drag with me a power generator

Now that sounds like a nice set up, Tor!

 

[k0ua]

Also keep in mind, the ratings for alternators are "best case". In other words, Wide open throttle, AND a cold temperature. As the ambient temp rises and the alternator heats up from load, they don't put out the full rating. What I am saying is alternator ratings are more like a paper rating not necessarily a real world what to expect rating. Here is the 55 amp rated alternator for my Kioti.

 

[dragoneggs]

View attachment 381441
Also keep in mind, the ratings for alternators are "best case". In other words, Wide open throttle, AND a cold temperature. As the ambient temp rises and the alternator heats up from load, they don't put out the full rating. What I am saying is alternator ratings are more like a paper rating not necessarily a real world what to expect rating.

Excellent point from a design standpoint, k0ua!

 

[bullbreaker]

Heres a good site to purchase inverters .

Power Inverters | DonRowe.com

 

[SPYDERLK]

Iv had 1000W inverters hard wired on all our kubotas for years -- from the BX1500 on up, Finally took the one off the BX because someone cut a cord and fried it. The replacement could not stand the vibrations. No other troubles.
larry

 

[jodebg]

What type of devices are you able to operate with your 1000w unit, and do you leave the tractor idling while using the inverter?
I have a Kubota B7800 and understand that the alternator is a low capacity unit.

I was thinking of using an inverter to operate my 120v leaf blower when I need to clear off drainage areas away from the house. Maybe operate a radio while at a work site, etc..

Iv had 1000W inverters hard wired on all our kubotas for years -- from the BX1500 on up, Finally took the one off the BX because someone cut a cord and fried it. The replacement could not stand the vibrations. No other troubles.
larry

 

[SPYDERLK]

I power everything from a circular saw on down. Circsaw is an overload. Remington [8Amp] chainsaw for intermittent cuts and limbing is right on. I do use automotive batts in all tractors and keep tractor running.

I think a leaf blower will be near max. Check Amp rating. 8A or below should be OK. Short term uses because you are puttng a high net drain on the batt. Youll probably want to go to the highest cap auto batt that will fit. ... and use the tractor for awhile after to renew charge
larry

 

[weedpharma]

What type of devices are you able to operate with your 1000w unit, and do you leave the tractor idling while using the inverter? I have a Kubota B7800 and understand that the alternator is a low capacity unit. I was thinking of using an inverter to operate my 120v leaf blower when I need to clear off drainage areas away from the house. Maybe operate a radio while at a work site, etc..

Forget about the radio as inverters produce far too much interference (even pure sine wave). Stick to 12 volts for the radio.

You should also consider the need for pure sine wave as some tools over heat with modified sine wave units.

Weedpharma

 

[jodebg]

Thanks to all for all of the information.

 

[ultrarunner]

I have two dating back to the early 90's when they were quite pricey... bought them from a marine supply because they were rated for marine use and built a little more rugged.

The 1000 has jumper cable quick connects and I can plug it into my tractor or service vehicle or jumper cables...

Only used it for a short time twice with the Kubota... had to drill and grind for a few minutes and it worked great.

On my service truck I have a two battery setup with a continuous duty solenoid to link both batteries together... that unit is 2000 watts and a single pulley 135 amp GM alternator... works very well... even runs my little emglo air compressor.

 

[k0ua]

Forget about the radio as inverters produce far too much interference (even pure sine wave). Stick to 12 volts for the radio.

You should also consider the need for pure sine wave as some tools over heat with modified sine wave units.

Weedpharma

Oh yeah!, my 600 watt unit is a "garbage maker" would wipe out any kind of radio. Doesn't even have to be hooked up to it.. it radiates!

 

[the old grind]

Forget about the radio as inverters produce far too much interference (even pure sine wave). Stick to 12 volts for the radio.
You should also consider the need for pure sine wave as some tools over heat with modified sine wave units.

"To be sure ..." as they say. :thumbsup: 'Pure sine wave' is a must for most voltage reducing gadgets/chargers, esp with iron core transformers that will also heat up quickly. (not many of them these days) Take your chances with laptop power supplies that run warm on house current. (checked one lately?) Radio/boom-box might be the thing that'll run longest with the engine off. IMO, alts of <30a are for lawn mowers.

60-110a+ alternator is the norm on most modern cars, use hp by amps drawn vs rating so economical once paid for...