Auxillary Power

[bhh]

I'm interested in adding a 120V outlet to my L3800. Ideally I'd like it to have enough power to run an air compressor or power washer. Has anyone done this and have some insights to share? Do I need a PTO generator or can this be powered off the battery with an inverter?

 

[Mendonsy]

Those devices are probably going to require somewhere around 10kw to run, so forget the battery approach. You need to check the power requirements for those motors before you do anything.

 

[bhh]

Thanks. I don't actually own either yet but am beginning to think through a few projects I need to do further out on my property. The air compressor would be something along the lines of the porter cable 6 Gal pancake compressor. Any opinions on a PTO powered generator vs. a carry-all mounted gasoline generator?

 

[Ted Summey]

Better to have stand alone generator. I've needed my tractor for moving snow, pulling out a stuck vehicle or moving firewood when I've needed the generator to power parts of the house.

 

[Darren]

If you just need an outlet consider one of the Honda EU generators. The EU2000 weighs 40-50 pounds and powers anything you'd normally plug into an outlet. You can also get 12VDC from the built in inverter. An EU2000 is what I use to power stuff when I'm working on a remote job on the place. When we lose power I use it to periodically run the refrigerator or freezer. If you can run the equipment from a 110 outlet, the Honda will do the job and do it much quiter than the Chinese stuff.

 

[BobRip]

If you just need an outlet consider one of the Honda EU generators. The EU2000 weighs 40-50 pounds and powers anything you'd normally plug into an outlet. You can also get 12VDC from the built in inverter. An EU2000 is what I use to power stuff when I'm working on a remote job on the place. When we lose power I use it to periodically run the refrigerator or freezer. If you can run the equipment from a 110 outlet, the Honda will do the job and do it much quiter than the Chinese stuff.

Compressors can be difficult loads to start. See if you can try out that compressor on the generator before you buy.

 

[Ted Summey]

My generator is a 6500 watt. It will start a pancake compressor on 120 volts.

 

[newbury]

Thanks. I don't actually own either yet but am beginning to think through a few projects I need to do further out on my property. The air compressor would be something along the lines of the porter cable 6 Gal pancake compressor. Any opinions on a PTO powered generator vs. a carry-all mounted gasoline generator?

Better to have both if you have the money. Many threads here on this. Your 3800 should handle a 15KW PTO generator. that's generally enough for a standby generator for a house. A portable or pto generator that size retails at about $2K +.

 

[bhh]

Thanks all.

 

[paulwestski]

I have a 3000 watt inverter in my work truck that will easily run my pancake compressor....works best if I plug in one of the 150 watt halogen flood lights first to ramp up the inverter.

Just make sure that you run large enough wire from the battery to the inverter.
My inverter is mounted about 15' from the batteries. I used four old welding cable leads, two positive, two negative. 250 amp marine fuses on each positive lead. Positive leads are encased in one inch air hose to prevent chafing.

I think that the L3800 has a 40 amp alternator so it should be able to keep up recharging the battery.
Not sure about continuous use with a pressure washer

 

[Darren]

Compressors can be difficult loads to start. See if you can try out that compressor on the generator before you buy.

The Honda EU2000 easily runs full size freezers and refrigerators. Would a portable air compressor be more difficult to start and run?

 

[Ted Summey]

A compressor draws more amperage than a refrigerator or freezer.

A run of the mill pancake compressor will draw 8 amps or so (looking at Lowes) At 120 volts, that's 960 watts. So a healthy inverter and the honda generator as previously posted would power a portable compressor based on wattage alone. You always want a cushion above the highest amperage draw because motors especially draw the greatest current at start up. To carry 960 watts something in the 2000 watt rage or above would be advisable. Plus you can run lights or other tools without exceeding the generator's capacity.

Be sure to check the specs on a generator or inverter because some have limits on "inductive loads" aka motors and transformers.

 

[weedpharma]

I have a small (700VA) non invertor generator that I found to be better than a Honda EU10 with high start current load. The invertor simply went into overload and I had to restat the generator. The older generator had inertia enough to keep going and built up to run the load. Make sure you check the generator with your load before purchasing.

Weedpharma

 

[jim_wilson]

Thanks. I don't actually own either yet but am beginning to think through a few projects I need to do further out on my property. The air compressor would be something along the lines of the porter cable 6 Gal pancake compressor. Any opinions on a PTO powered generator vs. a carry-all mounted gasoline generator?

If you're looking for compressed air on the tractor - why not hook up some sort of 12V compressor and a holding tank. There are a number of on-vehicle 12V systems available that will pump up to pretty high pressure (just not a lot of flow) - and there's even compact tanks available that you might even be able to find space for on the tractor for permanent mounting.

I've thought about doing something like this - add the small compressor and then have a tank just to store enough air to get some small jobs done. I've run impact guns off of a 15 gallon air tank before - you can remove and install a couple of tires on a car before the tank is depleted enough and low on pressure that the gun doesnt' function well any more.