Inverter

[mikeskywalker]

I need some suggestions on a inverter for my lock car anything better then the normal i dont want to spen to much.....

[Afisch]

Sounds like auto discusion to me, but as its not actual entry methods, anyone mind explaining what one is? Thanks

[belch]

Hi

Think he want's a inverter to power his key cutting machine's?

[mikeskywalker]

Yes i need it to power my machines

[Afisch]

lol sorry, me being an idiot there, i read "car lock" not "lock car" and now i feel stupid ignore earlier post. Maybe try Ebay http://search.ebay.co.uk/search/search. ... category0= Im not sure how quality goes but 300W should be easily enough.

[Eyes_Only]

Any auto parts store like AutoZone, Pep Boys or Kragens I think would carry a variety of inverters.

[Schuyler]

Don't know what your power requirements are, but mine ran fine off an economical unit I picked up at home depot.

[2octops]

It all depends on what you are wanting to run.

I will not use anything smaller than a 2500 watt in a service van, but then again, I do have a habit of running a mig welder off mine

If you are only going to power up 1 machine I would not go with anything smaller than 800 watts and that is pushing the envelope.

Run the thickest and shortest cables you can afford to your battery for the best performance.

[WOT]

Key machines typically use an induction motor and it is by far the most difficult load for the inverter to start. If you try to start a key machine on a circuit shared with lighting, you get an idea of the inrush current.

Although it only needs around 300W under full load, which would never happen on a key machine, you need to oversize the inverter significantly to cope with the starting current or else the inverter trips out.

Try to find something with 1200W+ surge power.

[zeke79]

I must also add that with items such as these you really do get what you pay for. That 1200W inverter in JC Whitney catalog for $49.95 is not going to put out the same power or same quality of power as a 1200W inverter of good quality. Do your research on this. Spend a bit more money and buy once. It will actually save you money in the long run.

[Shrub]

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[kissnatcher1]

As a truck driver i use inverters all the time i run a 2500 with 3500 peak to run all my things in the truck it is hard wired but what you could do is get a good set of heavy duty jumper cables and connect when you are useing it "BUT make sure it has a low voltage shut off or you will be asking for a jump"and buying new batteries as car batteries are made to drain down that low on a regular basis,hope this helps or if you need more info drop me a line i will try to help

[87ELC2]

You definitely want to have a second battery and isolator set up to run your inverter. That way you'll never drain your main battery and not be able to start your vehicle.

I'm old school and have an 800 watt Redi-Line generator in my service van. My current duplicator and code cutter are both 12vdc; the generator is a hold-over from an older 110vac duplicator. It still comes in handy when I need to run power tools at a remote site or un-powered building, or bring along one of the shop machines like a flat steel cutter or tubular key cutter. Mostly it gets used to run a small vacuum cleaner to clean my van...

The generator and machines are all powered by a deep cycle auxiliary battery connected to the vehicle charging system thru an isolator.

[Raccoon]

I would like an inverter myself, but I'm having difficulty finding any good information on an economy yet lasting inverter. I don't need anything special like "true sine" but I do want one that'll last me for a decade.

Specific brand name reviews would be nice.