Power inverter

[FANTM58]

Hey guys , I’m no electrical engineer ...
So here goes . I want to have 120 volts in my utility trailer
For tool ETC. I have a remodeling company and want to outfit
A utility trailer. To run power tools and a micro wave
Like for a RV. Any help appreciated !
Thanks
Robert

 

[frankush]

Small inverter generator will be the simplest. Fairly light, quiet and simple. Sips fuel.

 

[dreamingmuscle]

https://m.lowes.com/pd/Eaton-15-Amp-125-Volt-Silver-3-wire-Grounding/3568994

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E6N0XFI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Run a 10 gauge extension cord and your done.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

You will need a large inverter to run a microwave.

Better to go generator route.

 

[6PTsocket]

You will need a large inverter to run a microwave.

Better to go generator route.

Not to mention the fact that a high wattage inverter will **** the battery dry in nothing flat if the engine is not running. A generator is the best bet and an inverter generators are the better type for noise and performance.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[theoldwizard1]

You will need a 2000W inverter or generator at a minimum. The inverter really needs to be a "pure sine wave" inverter. Even with 2000W, it might NOT run some tools like a miter saw or table saw. Forget any kind of a compressor over about 1/2hp.

 

[ForceFed70]

I don't think 12V and an inverter would be practical for you.

It can be done, but you'll need a big expensive inverter - one that'll actually do 2000W out of a SINGLE OUTLET. Most of them advertised as 2000-3000W range only deliver that amount of energy if spread over multiple outlets.

Then you'll need batteries. Yes, more than one. You'll need 2 big deep cycle batteries at a minimum and that's assuming you'll only spend 15-20min with a 1000W+ load attached. Batteries are big, heavy, expensive, and need to be replaced every 5 years.

As others have suggested, a good quality inverter generator is a much better option for you.

 

[FANTM58]

OK thanks guys , I’ll stick with the 2000k inverter generator

 

[Bretny]

1800w is 15a. Most corcular saws need way more than that at start up. Now you add a tiny compressor running and a saw...

You should really look into how much battery capacity you will need and the price of all this. A vehicle alternator will most likely not keep up with this kind of load. The alternators dont put out there rated amps at idle. In the end its cheaper to put gas in a generator.

 

[Falcon67]

OK thanks guys , I’ll stick with the 2000k inverter generator

You'd do better with something like the 3500 Predator inverter from HF. The 700w microwave in our race trailer pulls 10A when heating water. You also have inrush current for starting motors that might kick the breaker on a 2000. You would want to wire your trailer with something like a 6 place breaker panel and place a 30A RV style connection on the exterior. 25' of 30A RV cord and the generator, all set.

 

[Mortimer452]

As others have said things like power tools and a microwave are probably too much for an inverter on batteries. Generator is definitely the way to go.

 

[dcg9381]

You can certainly get them that big, they exist in the RV interest area, but by the time you run the wire, buy the batteries, setup a charge system - not to mention maintaining those batteries, you're far better off with a generator....

 

[nadogail]

Batteries will require almost constant attention. Generators will need a little less. If you keep the gas tank fresh or empty you can occasionally let the attention slide.

 

[BigWarehouse]

There seems to be a lot of misinformation about inverters and watts here.

A normal microwave will consume about 1000 watts. A smaller one less than 800. They sell 12v inverter/microwave kits for truckers because nobody makes a 12 volt microwave. They are very common in trucks with sleeper cabs.

2000-3000 watt inverters are rather cheap these days. A 2kw inverter will typically support a 4kw startup load. A 3kw will bump up to 6kw startup load. That is more startup surge than a gas generator can support! The better the inverter, the longer it will provide the extra boost. You will have no problem at all running almost anything you can plug into a normal household 15A outlet into a 2kw power inverter.

Pure sine wave inverters are better, and getting cheaper. Modified sine wave inverters are DIRT cheap, and generally have no problem with microwaves or power tool motors. I used to run a pretty hefty drill off an 800w inverter and small 17AH battery (before lithium tools got so good) and it ran great this way. Intermittent loading would last a very long time.

As for how much power it draws, that depends. A pair of deep cycle batteries will give you 24 volts and it is better to use a 24v inverter at higher wattages. (Half as many amps coming in) A microwave might draw a lot of power but you do not use it for hours on end. Most things only take a couple minutes, that's the whole point of a microwave. Same thing with most power tools - how long do you actually use them continuously? 5 or 10 minutes at 2000 watts is not that much in the way of amp hours from your battery.

Don't expect to plug in a 2kw heater and let it run all day, but intermittent loads are no problem for an inverter system.