power inverters?

after witnessing the repair efforts on an s-10 frame at last years challenge, i have been thinking about how to get my welder/ grinder, compressor to work at the track. i was thinking of putting an inverter in my truck for such events.

has anyone hooked up an inverter of this size (2000W+) to their truck with any success? since it wont be working except in rare situations, i was wondering if it would make sense to put a disconnect between the inverter and the battery or if it makes any difference to the life of the inverter if it is left hooked up but isn't powering a load. also, can an inverter this size be run on just the normal vehicle battery? or do i need to run a two battery set up?

any advice would be appreciated!

I would think that being able to disconnect it when not in use would just be one less point of failure for both your truck's electricall system AND the inverter.

I think you would need too much inverter to run those kind of loads properly. A generator would be your best bet.

That 130 amp HTP welder that was talked about here draws 25 amps at 120vac. That's 3000 watts. Careful, there, that's a big draw.

cwh wrote: That 130 amp HTP welder that was talked about here draws 25 amps at 120vac. That's 3000 watts. Careful, there, that's a big draw.

What is that draw in the other side, at 12V?

i actually have an older HTP that runs under 15A draw for most uses. i never tripped a breaker all last year, even when welding 3/16 plate for 5 or so minutes at a time. based on that load, i shouldn't need more than 1800 watts continuous and most inverters i have seen at this watt range are 2000 continuous and up to 4000 peak. other than a frame breakage calamity (which just may happen, hopefully in pre trip testing), i dont see doing any more than 2 or three minutes at a time on 1/8 inch plate max away from my garage.

datsun 1500, do you know what brand of inverter you used? or do you have any you would recommend?

zomby, a 2000w load at 12v looks to be 167 amps. beyond my current alternator production by about 90 at idle. maybe two batteries?

zomby woof wrote:

cwh wrote: That 130 amp HTP welder that was talked about here draws 25 amps at 120vac. That's 3000 watts. Careful, there, that's a big draw.

What is that draw in the other side, at 12V?

Conservatively estimating 90% inverter efficiency, 275 amps.

That will definitely warm up the connecting cables.

Harbor Freight- 5000 watt inverter- 599.00, 2000 watt, 199.00, 300 amp cables, 39.99. FYI.

datsun1500. pm sent!

I run a 5000 watt inverter on two marine deep cycle batteries in my work truck. It's all mounted on a Harbor Freight hand truck so I can haul to events. They are hooked up with 1/0 cable. The power switch on my inverter shuts all the electronics down, but for a permanent truck mount I would still put a disconnect in it. Shorting a 1/0 cable straight off a battery could be kind of exciting even with a fuse in it. You probably wouldn't need that welder.

If you are going to be running a compressor, go oversize on the inverter. My 1.5hp compressor pulls 9.5 amps or 1140 watts. That equates to about 3500 watts starting load. You figure 3 times run load to start an induction motor. The other thing is I think the Chinese inverters are a little generous on their ratings.

That's all I got.

I've seen a Land Rover guy stick-weld with jumper cables. I'm still in awe.

Actually, with a thin rod, the right type, it's not that hard to do. It always impresses the natives, though.

http://www.premierpowerwelder.com/index.html

Keith wrote: I've seen a Land Rover guy stick-weld with jumper cables. I'm still in awe.

We tried that on the way home from BABE 2007, but we only had a coat hanger, not a welding rod. It didn't get the penetration needed to tack weld on an axle nut that kept backing off. Fun pictures of it, though

i only have a very small compressor to bring with me. mostly for inflating tires and such, not running air tools so i think i can work with the 2000W limit.

thanks for the advice from all and the spare inverter from datsun1500! now all i need is some cable, switches, a marine battery, and a day above 35 degrees so i can set it up!

Yeah, I'd do the GRM thing & hang a GM 1-wire alternator somewhere on the engine, get a longer belt & set it up as a dedicaded welder like some if those off-road guys do. Then you could use a smaller homeowner-type generator for your AC power needs.

Personally if it were me I would stick with oxy-acetylene welding. Similar to TIG in process and feel. Portable kits run about $350. Best part is, it is two tools in one when a cutting head is added.