Who can recommend a good, cost effective portable power generator. I am looking to get one for when I am on a job, and need electric for power tools, but no where near a outlet.
President, VIP Recycling
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Who can recommend a good, cost effective portable power generator. I am looking to get one for when I am on a job, and need electric for power tools, but no where near a outlet.
George Beale - Founder & President - info@viprecyclingjunkremoval.com
VIP Recycling Junk Removal LLC - Premier Scrap Metal, Junk, & Electronic Recyclers!
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I got a Generac 5000 watt off of craigslist and it's been good so far. The 240v comes in handy for running the air compressor and plasma cutter.
President, VIP Recycling
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I saw some type of cutter (don't remember what kind) in an add for harbor freight. Another tool I need to acquire.
I do admit, I use craigslist for a lot of things, but for this, I would want to buy it brand new, but thanks for the tip. Will keep it in mind.
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http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=583328
Might also check here, mine's a little small but it runs my old sawzall ok, It won't run Snodleys new sawzall, must be more amps. It is nice cause I can plug in a 50 ft. cord and reach most cutting jobs. Like I told Filthy, get a bigger inverter for just a few dollars more that way your not working it to death. If your not running up against the amp limit all the time it will run cooler and last a lot longer. I think he used some heavy stereo power cable and added clamps to hook to his battery, that way it's easy on easy off. I can run my saw for about an hour before I have to start it to charge up.http://www.harborfreight.com/automot...inverters.html
That 5000 looks like a real bad-ass inverter, mine's closer to a 1500 that's why it's a little light. All depends on what all you want to run at a time.
Last edited by Mechanic688; 12-07-2011 at 12:02 AM.
P & M Recycling - Specializing in E-Waste Recycling.
If you enjoy your freedom, thank a vet.
Experienced Scrapper
Just a little input on what I have and use:
1,000 watt (continuous, can't remember what the surge or peak power is) inverter mounted in truck. Will run power tools like sawzall, grinder, drill, 500W halogen flood lights, etc.
400 watt inverter mounted inside the truck (runs laptop computer phone chargers etc)
1500 watt generator- small but very portable, can't handle much more than the inverter but is cheaper to use than idling the truck and more portable. Can carry it into the woods to cut something up if need be.
I also have a slew of cordless power tools that I think are great, the mobility and freedom they allow is spectactular and the longevity of use is limited by the battery life, but I can charge them on the go as well. They save a lot of time and hassle of dragging out extension cords and tripping over them, dealing with the tangles they get inevitably, and the grab n go convenience is great!
President, VIP Recycling
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I mean't to also ask everyone, but what are your generators powered by? I mean, you just flip a switch and they are on, or they run on gas, or what?
I know there is some (the real big ones, that do run on gas) but the smaller ones you guys been showing me, what do they run on?
Experienced Scrapper
Regarding to Georges question "What do they run on?" The Inverters connect to your auto aux. or Battery, the Inverters convert your Auto DC -to- AC current. I'm not sure if thats what you were refering to George.
President, VIP Recycling
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Yeah, I was trying to find out what they use to run. I know the bigger ones that you would use say at a job site that has no electricity to it, would use gasoline.Originally Posted by GreenTruckR
However, I didn't know what the smaller ones would be used for...that you would just used for your corded power tools.
I just know it will be nice to get one that i can have in my truck and not have to worry about electricity being on the job site if I need to pull a tool out for any situation.
The small ones run on rabbit pellets.
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George...your gonna have to start sharing that s hit...pass it around. Small ones run on gas, larger ones for back up power at home can be rigged to run on propane or natural gas.
Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesaler
Certified Zip-Tie Mechanic
"Give them enough so they can do something with it, but not too much that they won't do nothing."
President, VIP Recycling
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So, the ones that scrappers use to tote around in their trucks to plug in power tools run on gas?
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Yes, and like MDG said often times larger ones run on Diesel, like the ones at construction sites. Now an inverter is just converting 12v power from your car/truck battery to 110 ac so you have to be careful not to drain the battery too much that it won't start your truck.
Last edited by KzScrapper; 12-07-2011 at 08:09 PM.
President, VIP Recycling
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Not what I was wanting to hear, but more a less what I expected.
Guess I know what I will be shopping for after Christmas.
Which part? Draining the battery? Wire in a 2nd battery and put an isolator in. Refer to link I just posted.
I subscribe to Family Handyman. This article came up recently. It should answer everything about how to set up an inverter.
http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Pr...to-a-generator
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That's a nice set up. Few different options there depending on funds, I'm sure you could figure out a way to add a solar panel too to help with keeping the extra battery topped off.
Just glanced thru the article. I recall the magazine having more instructions/detail. Maybe it didn't.
Here's a source for inverters.
http://www.donrowe.com/
He comes recommended by a few from another forum. Never dealt with him so I can't say if he is any good.
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There is a small item can be added to your battery system that monitors the condition of your battery and when it gets down to a dangerous level, it will shut off the appliance and sound a warning whistle. It'll leave just enough juice in the battery to start the vehicle. Or buy one of those small jumpstarters to haul around just in case. I think their called a battery monitor, and they used to sell them at camper dealerships; probably get a better deal on the 'net now. I could run 2 florescent lights and a drill or sawzall for around an hour before I'd have to start the car.Now an inverter is just converting 12v power from your car/truck battery to 110 ac so you have to be careful not to drain the battery too much that it won't start your truck.
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M88...I think the battery isolator is in charge of making sure your battery still has some juice left.
You want to go real cheappppp? Get yaself a lawn mower. Rig any old car alternator using a belt to run off the pulley. The old big gm were easy to wire up. One wire to hot to energize it and charging. Now hook any battery and a invertor.
Now you got yaself essentially free genny that can do anything from jump a car on 12v to power your tools. Only cost is the inverter. 1000 watts for like a 100 or less will power most any tools except plasma cutter.
Great thing is a 5 hp mower is perfect and wont cost you more than a gallon or 2 of gas in a 8 hr period running continuously.
I figured this out when I was like 10 years old. Watched the mobile diesel mech come up to get dads truck going. He was otr and hurt bad for a few weeks.n Truck was parked at house and batteries froze. Anyone knows a diesel requires a huge amount amps to start.
Well the mech had a old power washer with the pump removed. Pulley bolted on and alt attached via 1/4 angle iron. Then he ran jumper cables straight from the charging pole of the alt to the truck. Then he had to hook his van up as well to get the truck enough amps to run.
Trust me works and essentially free if your a true scrapper and save any good stuff.
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