Author	[Modern View]
Jiles 07-22-2012 13:14:29 71.207.185.111 Report to Moderator	I have a 120V electric impact wrench that pulls 7.5 Amps. What is the lowest wattage portable generator that I can use to operate the wrench? [Reply]   [No Email]
buickanddeere 07-22-2012 20:07:34 209.240.122.110 Report to Moderator	Re: Wattage needed to operate tool in reply to Jiles, 07-22-2012 13:14:29   Volt amps is what you are talking about, not watts.Then there is starting inrush as previously stated. Burning out the impact wrench and or the generator by running undersized is not a money saver. 2000-2500W would be a minimum. [Reply]  [No Email]
Jon Hagen 07-22-2012 18:21:05 69.26.17.61 Report to Moderator	Re: Wattage needed to operate tool in reply to Jiles, 07-22-2012 13:14:29   For what it's worth, I have one of those little $90(On sale) 800 watt HF gen sets that weigh only 40 pounds. It does a good job on power tools with brush type motors like your impact wrench. I use mine with lights heaters, electric string trimmer electric chain saw , drills grinders skill saw. The thing is cheap, easy to move around and works well for the money. For larger jobs or where I need cleaner power, I have a 3000 watt suitecase inverter generator, but that cost $900 and weighs 75 pounds HF genset. [Reply]  [No Email]
John T 07-22-2012 16:50:30 216.249.82.117 Report to Moderator	Re: Wattage needed to operate tool in reply to Jiles, 07-22-2012 13:14:29   Jiles, I'm unsure of the type of motor it is (repulsion (may well be) ,,,,,induction,,,,,,,repulsion start induction run (I doubt that),,,,,split phase,,,,,,, etc etc etc.) HOWEVER I CAN tell you it takes a lot more to start an AC motor then it takes once its up n running. Not knowing the motor type or its starting inrush current or duration I cant tell you for sure what it takes to start and run it (thats the 900 watts the gents are telling you) but Id venture a guess that a 1000 watt may not (but depends on its design and short term overload capacity) while a 2000 watt with a decent safety factor and good short term overload capacity likey will. John T [Reply]  [No Email]
Jiles 07-22-2012 15:11:52 71.207.185.111 Report to Moderator	Re: Wattage needed to operate tool in reply to Jiles, 07-22-2012 13:14:29   THANKS [Reply]  [No Email]
david G 07-22-2012 13:23:55 205.215.206.18 Report to Moderator	Re: Wattage needed to operate tool in reply to Jiles, 07-22-2012 13:14:29   watts = volts * amps, plus a safety factor for inrush. watts = 120 * 7.5 = 900, I would want 2.0 for inrush, so 1.8KW [Reply]  [No Email]
rufus80 07-22-2012 13:22:12 174.238.199.49 Report to Moderator	Re: Wattage needed to operate tool in reply to Jiles, 07-22-2012 13:14:29   Volts x amps = watts. 900 watts [Reply]  [No Email]