Tip - Portable 110 power with out a generator - useful tool

[Bdavis]

Over the last couple of years , I have found portable 110 power to be one of the most useful tools you can have when working outdoors in remote areas. I originally bought my xpower 1500 about 10 years ago to operate electronics in the home during electrical outages.

I now find it to be much more useful in the outdoors and remote areas. I am on my third set of batteries and second inverter ( inverter was my fault cut power cord -oops). I also have changed the internal wiring so there is really not much left of the original unit except the case and charger. These units are pretty expensive 400 - 500 . I would encourage designing and building your own unit to suit your needs. I think you could build a nice one for a cost of 250 - 300) .

I load mine in my FEL along with what ever electrical tools I need for the particular job ( electric loppers, electric chain saw, submersible pump, portable AC winch, air compressor - and air tools) and I am off to do some work.

With most tools I wear out before the batteries need charging so it is not a problem (grin) . The specs on the xpower 1500 powerpack are easy to find and would be a great place to start when designing your own power supply. I attached a couple of pictures of my unit. One improvement I would certainly make is bigger all terrain wheels for cutting trails. Also use short extension
chords (15 feet or less) less chance of OOPS !

 

[schmism]

Ive found an inverter on my tractor to be very usefull. Rarely (if ever) have i needed to leave my setup unattended.

 

[Bdavis]

Ive found an inverter on my tractor to be very usefull. Rarely (if ever) have i needed to leave my setup unattended.

I would have never thought a couple of years ago that it would be that useful. I am cutting walking trails through several acres of overgrown pine cutover some of it very low and wet. I try to get my tractor as close as possible. Then I start cutting my way through with the electric loppers and electric pole saw pulling the power supply along by hand. If possible I use chokers and ropes to pull some of the saplings and limbs I cut clear of the trail using the tractor. So far it works pretty well

 

[clemsonfor]

I think i would buy one of those 2 stroke HF generators that are rated at like 800W. I have heard good reviews out of them, if your buying lots of batteries every few years taht gets pricy!

 

[BeezFun]

I have a PTO generator, use it for remote areas and to power the house when we lose power. I guess if the inverter and batteries were mounted on an easy to tow trailer it wouldn't be bad. But that seems like a lot of work to carry around. Also the price is greater than a PTO driven unit. I think I got my 12KW for about $650 used.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I think i would buy one of those 2 stroke HF generators that are rated at like 800W. I have heard good reviews out of them, if your buying lots of batteries every few years taht gets pricy!

Not from me.
It may meet your needs for very lo drain applications. I have bought 2 and returned both. They do not meet their specs. Measured figures
are:
1.5A ,,,,,,,,,110V ,,,,,,,,,165W
3A ,,,,,,,,,,,,109V ,,,,,,,,,327W
4A ,,,,,,,,,,,,110V ,,,,,,,,,440W
5A ,,,,,,,,,,,,104V ,,,,,,,,,520W
5.5A ,,,,,,,,,100V ,,,,,,,,,550W
6A ,,,,,,,,,,,,97V ,,,,,,,,,,,582W
6.5A ,,,,,,,,,96V ,,,,,,,,,,,624W
7A ,,,,,,,,,,,,95V ,,,,,,,,,,,665W
7.5A ,,,,,,,,,89V ,,,,,,,,,,,667W
8A ,,,,,,,,,,,,85V ,,,,,,,,,,,680W

In many situations this output charcteristic will be unusable above 500W
larry

 

[CurlyDave]

Not from me.....In many situations this output charcteristic will be unusable above 500W
larry

Step up to the Honda 2000eu and you will be amazed. They are pricey at around $900-950 if you look around, but they are very quiet, and still less than an inverter and all those batteries.

If you have a second use for them, they are easy to justify. For instance I spend 2 weeks camping in the woods during deer season, and another 5 days during elk season. One of them will power a electric coffee pot, and then a microwave later on. Get the coffee pot with a thermal carafe, and you are in business.

The best part is no battery recharging. After hunting, we run camp lights for 3 trailers and a tent with one, and it makes for great evenings.

 

[PhysAssist]

Ive found an inverter on my tractor to be very usefull. Rarely (if ever) have i needed to leave my setup unattended.

Hey Schmism,

I have considered buying an inverter to use with our tractor in the woods, but wasn't sure of the utility of it, or what it would be capable of powering.

We heard from the OP what he uses for power and the 110v tools he uses.

What is the rating of the inverter you use?

What tools do you use most often?

Thanks,
Thomas

 

[jk96]

Step up to the Honda 2000eu and you will be amazed. They are pricey at around $900-950 if you look around, but they are very quiet, and still less than an inverter and all those batteries.

If you have a second use for them, they are easy to justify. For instance I spend 2 weeks camping in the woods during deer season, and another 5 days during elk season. One of them will power a electric coffee pot, and then a microwave later on. Get the coffee pot with a thermal carafe, and you are in business.

The best part is no battery recharging. After hunting, we run camp lights for 3 trailers and a tent with one, and it makes for great evenings.

Dave,

I've got the Honda 3000eu and would agree. They are pricey but its amazing how quiet they are. You can stand right next to one and carry on a conversation without raising your voice.

Jeremy

 

[Mickey_Fx]

I'm with the others that would prefer a small inverter type generator. Not any larger or heavier than a auto battery and power inverter. Plus these provide true sine wave AC and not the typ modified since wave, i.e. stepped sq wave of the battery powered inverters.

While I can't knock the Honda's, there are a number of other companies that offer similar models at a lower cost. And for the thrifty buyers, one can usually find a used one that is in good condition for about a third to half the price of a new model.

I have a 1kW Kipor inverter generator and one of its uses is for the same kinds of chores as our original poster and their battery powered inverter.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Wait...

Someone actually has a Black and Decker Alligator?




Hows it work?

 

[Bdavis]

Step up to the Honda 2000eu and you will be amazed. They are pricey at around $900-950 if you look around, but they are very quiet, and still less than an inverter and all those batteries.

If you have a second use for them, they are easy to justify. For instance I spend 2 weeks camping in the woods during deer season, and another 5 days during elk season. One of them will power a electric coffee pot, and then a microwave later on. Get the coffee pot with a thermal carafe, and you are in business.

The best part is no battery recharging. After hunting, we run camp lights for 3 trailers and a tent with one, and it makes for great evenings.

I have 2 generators but not a Honda 2000. If I was going to buy another gasoline generator that is the one I would buy. After the last hurricane I am not a big fan of gasoline powered generators period.

I have a portable 4000 watt propane generator that I really like.
With a propane generator you can put it away in your store room with some propane bottles and
5 years later it will still be ready to go. The Honda's are real fuel efficient but if you can't buy gas or have to wait hours for 5 gallons , not really worth it.

 

[Bdavis]

Someone actually has a Black and Decker Alligator?
How does it work ?

It is by far my favorite tool for cutting a walking trail through heavy saplings and vines. It is the only tool I have found that can easily cut both vines or a 6 inch sapling. It makes short work of low hanging limbs. I am sure there are other tools out there but I have used it for the last 4 years along with the power pack to clear trails through pine cutover and it does a great job for me.

 

[Bdavis]

I'm with the others that would prefer a small inverter type generator. Not any larger or heavier than a auto battery and power inverter. Plus these provide true sine wave AC and not the typ modified since wave, i.e. stepped sq wave of the battery powered inverters.

While I can't knock the Honda's, there are a number of other companies that offer similar models at a lower cost. And for the thrifty buyers, one can usually find a used one that is in good condition for about a third to half the price of a new model.

I have a 1kW Kipor inverter generator and one of its uses is for the same kinds of chores as our original poster and their battery powered inverter.

I agree with the true sine wave power and the 1 KW being okay for some uses. Not sure 100O KW would be enough for the power loppers they pull a lot of amps. I know it is not enough for some circular saws and might not be enough for some air compressors.
The big problem I have with using a portable generator for cutting trails would be starting and stopping the generator as needed. I might only need the power for a minute or 2 while cutting.
Then I have to clean the debris out of the way. This can take some time.
So you either have to leave the generator running and burn more fuel and listen to the noise or stop it and start it as needed.
With the power pack it just stays on and never makes a sound <grin>

 

[CurlyDave]

I have 2 generators but not a Honda 2000. If I was going to buy another gasoline generator that is the one I would buy. After the last hurricane I am not a big fan of gasoline powered generators period.

I have a portable 4000 watt propane generator that I really like.
With a propane generator you can put it away in your store room with some propane bottles and
5 years later it will still be ready to go. The Honda's are real fuel efficient but if you can't buy gas or have to wait hours for 5 gallons , not really worth it.

While I agree that propane stores well, I buy non-ethanol premium, and put a triple dose of Stabil in the can before I fill it. I usually have 10-15 gallons on hand, and the Stabil keeps it fresh for years.

If I have to tap the tank on a car, I can do it, and in a pinch that will power the generator.

I have other generators also, but the one I used for most remote power needs is the Honda.

 

[clemsonfor]

While I agree that propane stores well, I buy non-ethanol premium, and put a triple dose of Stabil in the can before I fill it. I usually have 10-15 gallons on hand, and the Stabil keeps it fresh for years.

If I have to tap the tank on a car, I can do it, and in a pinch that will power the generator.

I have other generators also, but the one I used for most remote power needs is the Honda.

I buy Non E gas and just rotate it every year. I dont keep as much as i should onhand but i dont live in an ice prone area or a hurricane prone area. I keep the genny full usually (5 gallons) and run the carb dry with the cut off. that has kept me going for several years now without fail.

I have a 5kw coleman (i think) genny with a briggs motor. Its loud as all get out, but in the house you dont really notice it.

As for the fuel supply, i to have multiple vehicles. I have 4 vehicles and most are bound to have a good bit of fuel in them. i use to keep the old chevy full but i drive it so rarely i dont much anymore. But full it will hold 32 gallons!!! I also have 2 boats that are pretty full. One holds 12 gallons and is usually half full. Its premix but i would burn it if necessary. The other boat is 24 galons and usually has half that or better in it.



As for cutting vines and 4" sapplings, i just take the small chain saw.

 

[Bdavis]

While I agree that propane stores well, I buy non-ethanol premium, and put a triple dose of Stabil in the can before I fill it. I usually have 10-15 gallons on hand, and the Stabil keeps it fresh for years.

If I have to tap the tank on a car, I can do it, and in a pinch that will power the generator.



I have other generators also, but the one I used for most remote power needs is the Honda.

Man you guys are fortunate to be able to find non-ethanol gas. Very rarely is it available in this area . I hate the ethanol gas even with stabilizer I have trouble with lawn mowers and power equipment.
Never had so many problems before the ethanol. My Dad has got me hooked on using octane boost in my lawn mowers this season and it has helped.

 

[Bdavis]

As for cutting vines and 4" sapplings, i just take the small chain saw.

They actually say in the instructions for the loppers that they should not be used for cutting down small tress. But the heck with that, they work great. I think it is a safety issue because when you use them the cut is flat not angled so a small tree can fall in any direction. The ones I cut usually are wrapped in vines anyway so they don't fall much at all. Also you can cut It at almost ground level with no problem at all and it is a lot safer than a chainsaw . Since you have to use both hands and it actually grips around the tree the chain is not so exposed.