Powering my Porter Cable with this????

**Delano5050** · 03-31-2007, 01:15 AM

eBay: 500/1000 Watt Car/Boat Power Inverter/Converter 120V NR (item 150106275084 end time Mar-31-07 11:14:46 PDT)

Would I be able to power my PC with this when detailing someone elses car in an area with no power outlet? How does something like this work (not to sure how these types of things work)? Will my car battery run out of juice a lot faster using this.

P.S. would I also be able to use this when operating a WET/DRY vac.

**velobard** · 03-31-2007, 04:12 AM

I wouldn`t try it, it`s a pretty light-weight unit. It`s also more than I paid for the exact same thing at Sams Club, even before you count shipping.

**JasonD** · 03-31-2007, 08:23 AM

It`s a great idea, but this particular unit is just a little too small, imo. The PC 7424 is rated at 3.7amps, and this inverter is only rated at 4.2amps max. I have a feeling that when you start to figure in heat, or any kind of variance in the power supplying the unit, your demand will be greater than what it can put out, and end up in a hazard.

Personally, I would try to find something around 10amps or more. You never want to be close the max output of anything electrical when safety is a concern.

Here`s an example of the *minimum* size I would buy:

Vector Power Inverter 1200 watt - DonRowe.com

**PhaRO** · 04-01-2007, 01:28 PM

It has enough power to run the PC but look for something with more power if you can. Many places locally will carry inverters (mine came from walmart) and if it`s not strong enough you probably could return it. I have a 700 watts maxx inverter which runs my PC fine. I sometimes start my truck up for a few minutes if I`m using it for over a half hour but I`ve yet to have the battery voltage drop enough to sound the alarm on the inverter. As for running the vacuum I`m pretty sure you won`t be powering a shop vac with that inverter. If you get a larger inverter then you can run many shop vacs. I have a 4gal 5hp rigid which is 9amps. My 700 watt inverter will power the vacuum in a pinch. The vacuum does run slower but once when my generator wouldn`t start it saved the day. I`ve used it a couple of times when I had it set up for the PC and needed to vacuum up something quickly. If I was going to run the vacuum off it regularly though I`d get a larger 1200 watt inverter.

I don`t know that much about inverters. I one time bought a 2000 watt inverter which I returned. I couldn`t get it to work. I wasn`t sure if my battery was insufficient or the inverter was defective. I had got it from a place 40 miles away so trying another one wasn`t something I wanted to do.

I think using an inverter for vacuum is a great idea in that it is quiet, saves gas and wear on a generator. I was talking to a customer that rides bikes and joked around that since most of my work was in an office complex within a mile of my house that I could get a little pull behind thing for my bike and get rid of my truck. A deep cell battery, invertor, vacuum, ONR and I`d be set. Heck I bet there are ways to get the bike to recharge the battery.

**bauerbach** · 04-01-2007, 03:07 PM

might want to look into your cars alternator also... I dont think your car battery will power a PC for more than an hour or 2 before it is unable to start your car.

you could keep your car running; but be sure the alternator can keep up on the long term.

however, a car is not exactly the greatest electrical generator in the world(IE idling 100-300HP to power a small tool...), and DC-AC conversion is just another inefficiency.

good option for your own car, bad option if your looking for a larger scale IMO.