Portable Powerpack options

[myboostedgst]

I am in need of something to power some shop lights (twin head portable light stands) that will be in a storage unit. I dont want to use a generator, so I was thinking of some sort of portable power pack. After some quick searching, I ran across this online....

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TKHMWK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

My question is, what size should I get, the 400 or the 600? Or would you guys suggest something else entirely?

PS- Reason for not wanting a generator is because of the need of gas and mostly, the noise. I have the ability to charge the powerpack after every use, and I would only need the pack to power shop lights for a few hours, or maybe a small power tool (angle grinder/drill) for a few mins.

 

[brewchief]

If your talking about the two headed halogen lights with the 500 watt bulbs that little battery doesn't stand a chance, it's only rated 600 watts output max.

In the little battery life chart they show a 300 watt drill lasting an hour and a half and a 270 watt sander lasting less then a half hour, not sure how that math works?

With LED lights you might get decent run time but I doubt one of those little battery boxes will be all that long lasting with frequent use.

I would look at a Honda inverter generator(I think Yamaha also makes a nice one), a 2000 watt one would probably do what you need and is pretty quiet.

 

[gonefirefighting]

your price point is going to be outrageous if you end up going with a led system.

watch this video and fast forward to 1:05 to see my unit. I am the guy in the bottom of the cave.

that unit is ranging from 3grand and up, I have really shopped around for something that will actually have a decent battery life and is actually worth a hell in the brightness dept.

I bought it for my search and rescue kit and still haven't found anything comparable

 

[ddawg16]

Simple solution......

Install CFL's and use a UPS. Pretty simple to pick the UPS you want.....figure out how many WH's you want....that will tell you what size UPS.

I have a small UPS at home for the main computer.....it will keep the computer alive for about 20-30 min....but a CFL? Several hours. Makes a great emergency light system....

BTW....I opened it up and disconnected the beeper....don't need to hear that when the power is out....I know it's out....

 

[gatchel]

Will your vehicle be there while you are working? Why not use an inverter off of your vehicle battery. Run an extension cord and you can use the rated output of the inverter. You will probably have to start the vehicle every once in a while.

Large CFL bulbs are definitely going to be a better option here. They are the most efficient for the price. You can get a "work light" setup with CFL's in them already.

 

[myboostedgst]

This thread has really dissapointed me. Looks like it wont be quite as easy as I thought.

I willl have to think about CFL's. The car wont be running at times, but I will have my other car right there, so that is always a possibility. I will have to think about this and wait till I get everything in to see how much light I will need.

 

[2manytoyz]

I have the Xantrex Xpower 600HD, same as the Duracell model in the OP's first post.

More details here: http://www.2manytoyz.com/xpower.html

Great product, works well. The 600W inverter does work fine, but that's a peak rating. Actually rated at 480W continuous.

The internal battery is a 28AH sealed lead acid. CFLs use FAR less power, yet provide decent light. I'd recommend using a couple 100W CFLs, which only draw 23W each.

That's about a 2 Amp draw on the battery per bulb. 4 Amps per hour. That'll give you several hours of lighting, and have the ability to run small power tools briefly, but that'll reduce your overall run time.

Has enough capacity to run small power tools (like the drill shown), wouldn't run a circular saw, but didn't expect it to.

 

[ducktapeguy]

x2 on CFL's or LED lights. I have many of those power packs, and I doubt any of them can power Halogen lights for very long. That battery is 28Ah, which is approximately 336 watt-hours, so divide that by the number of watts you need to get approximate runtime. So a 1000 watt light will run about 20 minutes, a 40 watt CFL might run about 8 hours. Realistically figure on about 50-75% of that runtime number because of inefficiencies and other losses. The runtime for those types of batteries isn't linear, if you double the load, you get less than half the runtime.

For that kind of money, I'd suggest using a separate deep cycle battery pack and 1000W inverter for more versatility. 480W can probably run a drill, an angle grinder is might be too much. A deep cycle battery and 1000W inverter will cost about the same or maybe less. The batteries on those power packs are meant to jumpstart cars, so they're designed for high draw for short amounts of time, not really what you're using it for. The advantage of having a separate battery and 1000W inverter is that you can always plug the inverter into your car battery if the power pack dies.

 

[machine_punk]

I think a couple of deep-cycle marine batteries and an inverter would be your best bet. Charge the batteries with a regular charger (or trickle charger) when you leave. You could build your system into a dolly of some sort to make it more portable.

I've seen the solar-charging, 1400-watt systems too (essentially replicates a single, 1500-watt outlet, only portable and charges with solar panels).

M_P

 

[myboostedgst]

I think a couple of deep-cycle marine batteries and an inverter would be your best bet. Charge the batteries with a regular charger (or trickle charger) when you leave. You could build your system into a dolly of some sort to make it more portable.

I've seen the solar-charging, 1400-watt systems too (essentially replicates a single, 1500-watt outlet, only portable and charges with solar panels).

M_P

This is what others have told me to do, and I would do. BUT..... I dont have to any more as there is an outlet right outside my storage unit! Looks like I got super lucky!

Thanks for all the advice though and hopefully someone stumbles across this thread who needs it and updates it with their results.

 

[Rob_b]

This is what others have told me to do, and I would do. BUT..... I dont have to any more as there is an outlet right outside my storage unit! Looks like I got super lucky!

Thanks for all the advice though and hopefully someone stumbles across this thread who needs it and updates it with their results.

The halogen lights are the "worst" light you could use. Take the advice of the members here and go with either CFL or LED. Those halogens create heat, alot of it. Heat is the result of inefficient lights and they have about a 500hr lamp life to boot. LED's= 50 to 100K hrs and work in most temperature variations/ CFL's 5-10K hrs and may take some time to come up to full brightness in colder weather / halogens = garbage.
A good inverter and a large deep cycle battery(31 series) tied to a solar panel (30-90W) will keep you in business for many hours and for years to come. maybe the owner doesn't like the thought of someone putting that stuff on his roof. Well, that could be a problem. You could install a 2nd battery in your vehicle and use an isolator so your starting battery isn't used but your charging system charges up both as you drive....so many options. Those portapaks are good for a campsite or a boost to start your car but hardly worth using it for the purpose you have in mind, besides, those batteries won't take the charge and discharge cycles. I give it 6-9 months at best.
Good luck