proper sizing of inverter

Typically inverters have 2 110 outlets, 1/2 of inverter power going to each. I have never priced a 220 inverter. What is the surge requirement of your jackhammer?

I have a small inverter. It can handle a 16" electric chainsaw if the saw is sharp and I do not hog it in. I would like to know from anyone if one can merge the 2 110 outlets into a 220 (series) or 110 (parallel) with more amps.

A separate generator may cost less.

Paul in PA

You also need to think in terms of how much can your truck deliver to the inverter. Think in terms of input and output.

I had a 750W model, once. It would just barely run a small hammer drill. A jackhammer, even a small one, will need 2000 watts or more. Check the label on the model you intend to buy.

Its gonna be a BIG inverter or a teeny tiny jackhammer.

If I remember my 'tronicz class, this simple for-moo-la can help in deciding:

The power P in watts (W) is equal to the current I in amps (A), times the voltage V in volts (V):

P(W) = I(A) × V(V)

So watts are equal to amps times volts:

watt = amp × volt

sooo... a 120 volt drill motor that draws 2 amps is equal to 240 watts. I'm sure this formula is very basic. I bet that 'drill motor' probably draws twice as many amps under load as it's rating states.

Standard single phase power is two hots and a neutral. You get 120V between a hot and a neutral and 240V between the two hots. It's not a parallel of series like DC batteries. So if your inverter is built to provide two hots and a neutral you might get 240V. Check the voltage between the two hots of the two 120V outlets. Probably shouldn't use it that way at all if it wasn't built for that.

I am thinking of getting an inverter for my truck and I want to make sure that it will handle a jack hammer

I'd buy a Dodge 1500 or 2500 in that case, it will handle your jackhammer and the inverter.
Don't waste your time with GM products. Those electronics nightmares are one plug-in device away from an expensive mechanic shop bill.

http://exeltech.com/products/inverters/inverters-2k-watt-icx-mcx/

You're also gonna' need at least a single ought set of leads to the battery. The inverter will draw some current.

> I am thinking of getting an inverter for my truck and I want to make sure that it will handle a jack hammer

A lot depends on what you mean by "jackhammer." A 60-lb. Bosch Brute is going to draw a lot more than a 30-lb. demolition hammer. I own both, and each runs fine on a 2500-watt generator, but I don't know how much excess capacity -- if any -- I have with that setup.

How bout a 2K Honda gen set
quite portable
does not way much
can use in on your cruiser also
or rv

Okay, once a year or so, I need to dig up a paved over monument. Typically a 1' sq of ac. This is all of five minutes work using power tools and I am tired of wrecking my elbows..... thanks for you comments i think a 2500 watt inverter will do just fine...

> Okay, once a year or so, I need to dig up a paved over monument. Typically a 1' sq of ac. This is all of five minutes work using power tools and I am tired of wrecking my elbows..... thanks for you comments i think a 2500 watt inverter will do just fine...

For such occasional use,why not just buy a San Angelo bar for less than $20. Oh, and a pair of leather gloves? They do a great job on asphalt pavement and are simple to use. Would recommend. I'll find a photo of one so there is no miscommunication as to what is needed.

> For such occasional use,why not just buy a San Angelo bar for less than $20. Oh, and a pair of leather gloves? They do a great job on asphalt pavement and are simple to use.

I agree that power tools cost a lot and take up a lot of room in a truck, but once you've dug through hard AC with a demo hammer it's hard to go back to hand tools. I don't know about Texas, but here in California there are some AC mixes that are nearly as hard as concrete, and trying to get through them with a bar can take hours and beat up the (aging!) operator enough to make him spring for the power rig. It happened to me about 5 years ago, and I don't regret the purchase.

Most stock alternators won't run a high density light bar much less anything that would need 2500 watts.

0.02

> I agree that power tools cost a lot and take up a lot of room in a truck, but once you've dug through hard AC with a demo hammer it's hard to go back to hand tools.

It would depend in part upon the thickness of the HMAC to be cut through and in part upon the ambient temperature.

In Texas, the ambient temperature of asphalt pavements most of the year tends to be closer to the oven than the freezer. That is, the "concrete" in Hot Mix Asphaltic Concrete is more of a statement of aspiration than reality.

For something that Dane is needing to do only about once a year, though, that digging bar/rock bar parked in the truck sounds like a very practical solution to me.

My experience with inverters on boats is that power tools draw a lot of amps when starting. Without some headroom between the inverter output and the power tool draw, both are likely to fail. Also you need big 12 volt leads and big batteries to avoid voltage drop that will cause failures. I think a generator is better.

I can just barely run a 13 amp skill saw on a 1750/2500 watt inverter hooked to two deep cycle batteries. Occasionally the starting current trips the reset. 13 amps at 117 VAC is takes 130 amps from the 12 V batteries.

My guess it it would be cheaper to buy a 5 KW generator. You can get the 230 volt option with a generator.

Mr McMillian

First thanks for the tip... but I have a digging bar in the truck and I wrexcked my elbow using it and it took nearly a year to recover... it looks as if i may be able to put together a package for under a grand. The rates here would pay for that on 2 jobs and my elbows would thank me...

Mr McMillian

> First thanks for the tip... but I have a digging bar in the truck and I wrexcked my elbow using it and it took nearly a year to recover... it looks as if i may be able to put together a package for under a grand. The rates here would pay for that on 2 jobs and my elbows would thank me...

Having a portable generator would be handy for a few other things as well, I'm sure. Just out of curiosity, how did you injure your elbow with a digging bar? You know to wear gloves and let the mass of the bar do the work, right? That is, you loosen your grip before the bar strikes, right? I don't know how much variation there is in bar weight, but I've never encountered HMAC that the pointed end of a bar wouldn't make a major dent in on every blow.