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jdemaris
12-28-2005 20:29:36
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Harbor Freight 2000/4000 works great in reply to Boyd in Mn, 12-27-2005 22:22:47
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I've experimented a bit while building cabins in remote areas with no grid electricity. I wanted to use power tools but did not want to be starting a d*mn generator everytime I wanted to use something, and also, I didn't want to hear it run all day either. I started out using a lot or cordless tools and bringing lots of batteries. But, for big tools like a circular saw - forget it, it's a waste of time if you want to work all day. I found the best compromise was a battery and inverter. And, if the battery gets too run down, I run the generator to "fast charge" the battery. My Chevy Suburban has two starting batteries for the diesel engine, and one aux. battery in back. I sometimes use that battery. Then, if I drive somewhere, it automatically gets charged. I also bought two 12 volt deep cycle batteries at Walmart for around $55 apiece. Ends up I've never needed the two -since the one usually last me all day on an inverter, running a cirular saw, sawzall, etc. Now, with the inverters themselves - the lesser priced ones are "modified wave" and will not run a battery charger perfectly. Some battery chargers will barely put out half their rated output with the inverter, and most portable generators. Other than that though, you won't notice a difference between the cheaper modified sinewave models, or the high-piced true sinewave models. I have half a dozen small inverters ranging from 400 watts up to 4000 watts. I'll tell you the things I don't like about some of them. Many come with a cooling fan that runs all the time - and I can especially hear it at night if we are using the inverter to watch TV. That is why I don't like the Vectors. Maybe you don't care. But, some inverters come with a thermally activated fan that only comes on when needed - which is much nicer. As far as stand-by power-draw. If they are not automatic, they all, regardless of size, draw pretty close to the same amount of current when turned "ON" but not being used. I've got a couple of big inverters that are automatic - and sense demand - and draw next to nothing until you call for power - and then they turn on. They are very common in solar-electric applications such as the Xantrex/Trace models. If you want a recommendation. Just on a whim, I bought a 2000 watt fulltime/4000 watt surge inverter from Harbor Freight for $139. I expected it to be a piece of junk. Well, I love it. I used the heck out of it all summer, sometimes over the 2000 watt rating, it worked flawlessley, never got hot, and the thermal fan only came on once. I bought a second one just for a spare. The price now is $150 but it's still a bargain. A real pleasant surprise. Link
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