Invertors?

[bikermarl]

I use a portable generator, the only problem is its used so rarely it takes bloody ages to start! I usually get the customer to ask a neighbour if we can run an extension lead from their house.

[vector40]

... how long of an extenion cord do you have? Is it measured in furlongs?

[NKT]

If it's a semi, and it's daytime, and/or someone is around it's not an issue with a 40 yard lead. Or two...

Out in the country, or at a posh detached house, you have no hope.

Depends on your area, but I would rather not look like a divvy in front of the customer.

[taylorgdl]

Yep, thats all greek to me.

Q. Costco have a petrol genny, 65 continuous output, 95 max, is this enough to run a mortice or cylinder key machine off, or do I need the on from Halfords, 1000, 1200 max ?

Halfords one is three times the price.

Will the smaller genny be man enough ?

G.

[CVScam]

I had a 1000 watt inverter in my camper It would run my tv, lamps and other items. One day I hooked up a small drill with 50 feet of extension cord. It work fine for about 5 mins then I started to smell something I had burned up the drill. A friend told the cord had lowered the voltage and the inverter didnt supply the "right" kind of current for motors. I now use an old 2000W uninterruptible power supply from Compuserve with a deep cycle marine battery, it has a digital readout of input battery voltage, output AC voltage, % of max current load, and a countdown till you run out of power.

[toomush2drink]

I had an invertor blow up on me so i replaced it with much better one with electronic protection, absolutely no problems with it to date. Buy cheap and pay dearly in this area, just spend the money and get peace of mind.

[chrisjc33]

i use a 1000 watt inverter in the van with a split charge smart relay to charge the 2 batterys in the back and one in the front, the inverter runs keycutter/bench grinder/angel grinder and a dremmel the other battery runs 3 12volt spot lights
no problems yet (also got a gennie as backup)

[sidpick]

Can anyone specifically name the companies they have gone with (or brands/websites) (UK only!!!) with inverters / second power supplies for vans.

I will only be running a small key cutting machine, lighting and potentially running out a cable for drilling ground anchors / cutting chains.

Good old chat with toomush helped out but if anyone has the time to put down an 'idiot guide' I'm sure more people will benefit from it!

[Firearm]

You can find a tom of useful info on generators and inverters at this site...

http://www.skoolie.net/forum/index.php? ... c120c8daf5

There's even a post of a generator that mounts on the motor like a second alternator. Do a search there for inverter or generator/gen set and you'll find it.