120v converter for truck - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

72chevy4x4 · 11-13-2007, 09:19 PM

can anyone recommend a 120v converter that can be mounted in a truck strong enough to power small tools? I have a 600w unit which is capable of charging the cordless tool batteries, but it might be nice to run something larger like a saw (or whatever is necessary). A gas powered generator is too large to cumbersome for what I'm looking for...all though a small 3k unit like what's found in some RV's would be nice-mounted under the side of the truck (I have a box truck w/ drop down sides).

jproffer · 11-13-2007, 09:47 PM

I don't have an answer to your question...and I'm not trying to me a smart a$$, but if you search ebay or google or whatever...use the word inverter instead of converter. Should get better results. Good luck.

RobertCDF · 11-13-2007, 09:52 PM

They make large inverters. To find what wattage you need multiply the volts (120) by the amps the unit draws. (usually 15 for saws).

wallmaxx · 11-14-2007, 01:12 AM

If you go to any truck stop out on the interstate, they carry very high watt inverters at okay prices. The truckers have all kinds of electronic gadgets powered inside their rigs. Depending how much amperage you draw, you may need to change your alternator out for a high amperage after market one. I'm no electrician - so refer to an expert.

Bone Saw · 11-14-2007, 09:07 AM

You will need a bigger alternater, a couple of deep cycle batteries, and a battery isolater in addition to the inverter. I have a setup like this in my sprinter,
http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/rvflyer.php?id=3

IMHO unless you are planning on offroading out in moab or the like, this setup both initially and maintainance-wise is more trouble than its worth, you'd be better off just toting a small generator around

72chevy4x4 · 11-14-2007, 07:12 PM

thanks for the correction-I was tired last night and forgot that these guys are called inverters.

I was looking into small honda generators-a tad on the small side at 12.5A continous, but it may do the trick. I'll continue w/ my small inverter as a battery charger.

**Leo G** · 11-14-2007, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bone Saw

..... this setup both initially and maintainance-wise is more trouble than its worth, you'd be better off just toting a small generator around

If you think the setup and maintenance is more trouble than it's worth you have done something wrong. I have been running a 3000w inverter for 6 years now. I have one deep cycle, AGM photo voltaic style battery. The battery is designed for close to full discharge and has a life span of about 8 years. I have a dedicated charger for the batter that "takes care" of the battery. The battery is hooked up into my electrical system through a boat style battery switch capable of handling 300 amp loads. I can switch over to have the alternator either power the inverter or charge the battery (or both), or just run off the truck battery/alternator system. I do not have an isolator and I don't see why it would be necessary, I suppose you could call the switch an isolator, I keep it off when not in use. My Dad said I should get a generator too. I laughed. I have no problems, plenty of power, maintenance is charging the battery. No noise, fumes, gasoline or oil. I run my house on it during winter time power outages. Here is a picture of the setup.

**Teetorbilt** · 11-14-2007, 09:15 PM

You may also want to look into an alternator. I've had some for years. They do require a hand throttle controller. They attach to the engine via belt, use the hand control to dial in the Hz. and go to work.

Inverters are wasteful, just look at the cooling fins, extra batteries, etc.

**Leo G** · 11-14-2007, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teetorbilt

Inverters are wasteful, just look at the cooling fins, extra batteries, etc.

Please elaborate on wasteful.

I can take a inverter and battery, put it on a hand cart and take it anywhere including inside a building [with no power] and not have to worry about long cords or fumes. I work off the back of my truck independent of grid power. No finding an outlet, running a cord....

It has been one of the best investments I put into the business.

Bone Saw · 11-14-2007, 09:42 PM

bottom line, any battery/inverter combo, with or without an isolator(preferably with an isolater if you want your batteries to automatically charge whenever engine runs and never have to worry about draining your starting battery) substantial enough to run tools for any amount of time worth a damn would be like a "rube goldberg" machine, hence

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bone Saw

IMHO unless you are planning on offroading out in moab or the like, this setup both initially and maintainance-wise is more trouble than its worth, you'd be better off just toting a small generator around

that is what generators are for

**Leo G** · 11-14-2007, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bone Saw

bottom line, any battery/inverter combo, with or without an isolator(preferably with an isolater if you want your batteries to automatically charge whenever engine runs and never have to worry about draining your starting battery) substantial enough to run tools for any amount of time worth a damn would be like a "rube goldberg" machine, that is what generators are for

Depends on what you plan to run. If you have a crew working off of it then you are very correct. I am a single operator and can usually get a full 8 hours out of it. If I have to run the tablesaw I will need to run the truck towards the end of the day. I only have one 105 AH battery. If I had two I could easily run all day using any tools I wanted. But still, it won't run a crew off of one or two batteries, and a generator would be a better choice under these conditions. But for having 120VAC on the truck, when you need it, at a flick of a switch, with no noise or fumes it is a great contraption.

Bone Saw · 11-14-2007, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo G

But for having 120VAC on the truck, when you need it, at a flick of a switch, with no noise or fumes it is a great contraption.

I agree 100% running a jigsaw or grinder in a pinch, anything else, forget it

**Leo G** · 11-14-2007, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bone Saw

I agree 100% running a jigsaw or grinder in a pinch, anything else, forget it

I don't think so. I run my 1HP compressor, chop saw, circular saw. As a matter of fact any tool I own that operates on 120VAC this thing will light up. 3000 watts has a lot of get up and go.

Bone Saw · 11-14-2007, 10:07 PM

that must be one helluva battery

**Leo G** · 11-14-2007, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bone Saw

that must be one helluva battery

It is designed to run a whole house inverter when you have photo voltaic cells that charge them. Obviously you would use a bunch of these batteries running in parallel to run a house. This battery was specifically designed to run an inverter. It is a high current battery and I have 3/4 diameter stranded cable between the battery and the inverter to handle the current, the cable is about 16" long, very low resistance. The battery is sealed, I mean hermetically sealed, no gassing out what-so-ever. I think I am going to have to get a new battery late next year. The inverter has treated me very well, and was well worth the $800 I paid for the it. Now they go for $400. I would definitely do it again.

When I first got the inverter I got a standard car battery to run it from. It ate this thing up in about 2 weeks. Dead, no chance of recovery. Certainly didn't have the balls this battery does, not even close.

Bone Saw · 11-15-2007, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo G

If you think the setup and maintenance is more trouble than it's worth you have done something wrong.

new alternator $300, inverter$400+, batteries $300+ each, isolator, cable, wire, hardware, nuts bolts etc etc $200-$300 , so your at well over a grand to make a setup worth a damn and all your time and aggravation installing this crap vs. add to cart, checkout , fill with gas on something like this

at about a grand

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo G

I have a dedicated charger for the batter that "takes care" of the battery. The battery is hooked up into my electrical system through a boat style battery switch capable of handling 300 amp loads. I can switch over to have the alternator either power the inverter or charge the battery (or both), or just run off the truck battery/alternator system. I do not have an isolator and I don't see why it would be necessary

this is like trying to explain the benefit of pulling out over abstinence and where the rube goldberg-esque nature lies. You must either be isolated (no pun intended) from murphy's law or enjoy it if you forget to manually charge your battery and your out at your jobsites running your engine, or mabey you like having to find someone to jump you cause your using your engines battery as a deep cycle battery

cause these are exactly the type of things that can and will happen on this setup without an isolator, I know, I don't know why you feel like calling me out as an idiot while pimping your gear. I'm not knocking your setup or saying it wont work, just gave my Humble opinion (based from experience) to op based on what info he provided

**Leo G** · 11-15-2007, 11:45 AM

Funny, I don't remember calling you an idiot. To each his own. I like the inverter, you like the generator.

I didn't need a new alternator, had a 105 amp one in the truck, sufficient enought to charge the battery or run 10 amps worth of AC with no battery involved. When I got my first battery it was only about $180, now they are about $250. I put a grand or so into my system and some time. I have been using it for 6 years now and the only thing I have to do is charge the battery. I can charge it off of my alternator if need be, but I'd rather charge it off a system that protects the battery than the truck alternator. Still worth if for what I need it for. Sounds like you should stick with the generator.

Bone Saw · 11-15-2007, 12:30 PM

Not to prolong this thread or continue arguing with you, but there is nothing wrong whatsoever with using batteries and inverters for remote power. Back to OP and what was substantiated upon by wallmax, teetor and myself, the whole idea behind a setup like this in an automotive application is to have a self contained, autonomously charging power source. An inverter is only going to be as good as the battery powering it, the battery powering it is only going to be as good as the sytem charging it, the system charging it is only going to be as good as its ability to keep up etc etc etc... Now to go to the extent of building a setup like this for your truck almost seems counterintuitive if you do NOT install an isolator and upgrade your alternater to truely be autonomous, be able to charge everything, not having to worry about draining your engines battery(especially if you have diesel and/or automatic) and still be able to operate with a drained battery with the engine running if you had to, thats all

Tiger · 11-22-2007, 10:42 AM

I have a small portable generator that I've enjoyed using for several years. This information on inverters has been good. I'm not sure if I'd get one, but to answer the OP there is a fair selection from American Van.

Dave