what can i run with a power inverter?

[farmall 55a case]

Hi everyone I was wondering if I could run a small air compressor of a 12v power inverter? For airing up tires and taking wheels off of equipment ect?

 

[dusty3030]

What size inverter?
500 Watt inverter you can run about 4 amps at 120V
1000 Watt inverter you can run about 8 amps at 120V

Most of these little inverters will burn out if you try and run it max, so a 1000 watt inverter should run a little pancake mini air compressor with a 1hp or less motor.
They will probably draw around 3amps running, double that on start up so a 1000 watt should work.

Hope this helps.

 

[pwright]

That's probably not a good path to take. Inexpensive inverters are not very efficient and not tolerant of sustained loads near their rating. If by small air compressor you do mean something like the little Porter-Cable pancake compressors those things actually are closer to 10 amps.

Consider also the drain on your 12-volt source. Assuming the invertor is 100% efficient (it isn't) a 1000 watts at 12 volts is an 83 amp draw on your 12 volt system. Better have some healthy cables to connect it to your source.

You would be better off with a cheap generator like this guy from Tractor Supply:

Champion Power Equipment™ 3500W/4000W Portable Generator - Tractor Supply Online Store

Cheaper than a good inverter.

 

[farmall 55a case]

Its a 1000 watt inverter already have it installed on the truck. Was at rural king the other day just walking around and seen they had a 3 gallon air compressor for around 50 bucks and just thought that could be handy if it would work?! If I was going to need one often I'd buy a gas one just thought it would come in handy on the back 40 thanks for the advice tho!

 

[pwright]

A real small compressor like this 1/3 HP unit from Harbor Freight would probably work:

Pancake Air Compressor - 3 Gallon, 100 PSI

So if that is the kind you were looking at then go for it.

 

[k0ua]

A real small compressor like this 1/3 HP unit from Harbor Freight would probably work:

Pancake Air Compressor - 3 Gallon, 100 PSI

So if that is the kind you were looking at then go for it.

I would be in the "probably work" or "might work" camp.. the load of that little harbor freight compressor is t312 watts.. but I bet the starting load is at least twice that. And I am not sure how the little motor on that compressor will like square wave. Please report back your findings. I am curious to know.

 

[lutt]

This is the solution I come up with for a similar problem. I have never had much luck with inverters. Local John Deere dealer keeps these in stock . I can easily move it from around, it will run a 1/2" impact and air up tires all day. A tank gas last a long time also, lol. LUTT

 

[farmall 55a case]

This is the solution I come up with for a similar problem. I have never had much luck with inverters. Local John Deere dealer keeps these in stock . I can easily move it from around, it will run a 1/2" impact and air up tires all day. A tank gas last a long time also, lol. LUTT

That is really nice!

 

[lutt]

Thanks, I didn't need a full size gas compressor, they take up touch room in the back of a shortbed pickup!. Also northern tool sells something similar, or used to. LUTT

 

[lutt]

Thanks. LUTT