Mobile Electricity

[skitelluride531]

So I've got the perfect solution for mobile washing worked up.

The only thing left for me to work out is the perfect solution for running an extractor, vacuum, and rotary on the road as well (of course, all at different times during the process). Besides a traditional generator, what are my other options?

Is there any option out there that would run off my car battery?

Any advice and input is much appreciated!

[TTWAGN]

The power required to run a buffer, extractor or vacuum would drain a normal battery in 10 minutes to the point where you wouldn't be able to restart the car.

So you would have to leave the car running, consuming fuel.

You may as well then get a small generator. It is by far the best option. In the long run will also be the most cost effective. If you run off your battery, having to jump start the car and miss a booking the money you would loose in the one job would have paid for the generator.

There are heaps for around $100 that will power a rotary and vacuum easily. Hopefully your extractor isn't heated though as they can draw a fair bit of power.

[MobileJay]

get a generator. I have one in the cases that my clients are in an apartment or their house is far away from their driveway(some clients with land). Most of the time I use an outlet from the house, but I wouldn't ever get rid of my gen. Make sure when you are buying one that you look at the amps. Make sure you are going to push out more amps than what your vac, buffer, extractor, ect. is pushing out. Look on craigslist, thats where I found mine and I've had it for over 2 years now and I've used it a lot.

[ajbarnes]

I agree. I have a 3200 watt gen that I primarily use when I go out to office parks, etc. Usually when I am at a house, I just use their electricity. The generator can power everything I have electric (drill, rotary, udm, vac, etc.).

For example, today I am going out to a huge office park and will be doing a few details in the back end of the parking lot. The office building is several hundred feet away from the job area. If I didn't have a generator...no money for me!

[AppliedColors]

Get a Honda EU3000is for $1900 and never look back: electric start, quiet as a whisper, and sips gas.

Yes, it's expensive, but worth every penny.

And don't forget about the air compressor. Get the strongest 110v compressor you have room for.

[beachcities]

I had tried all kinds of different power inverters, and none of them had enough power. I have a cheap generator that cost $299 by a company called Champion. I bought it at kragen auto parts. I have used it every day for the past two years and have never had a problem with it. Only oil changes as maintinance. However, if noise is an issue, then you may want to go with the honda(I will be upgrading to this soon.) Because when you are doing a paint correction that takes a long time, you will not want to be making a lot of noise.