Could I use this to power my Porter Cable and WET/DRY vac?

**Delano5050** · 03-31-2007, 01:11 AM

Would I be able to use something like this to power my PC and WET/DRY vac when detailing A customers car. eBay: 500/1000 Watt Car/Boat Power Inverter/Converter 120V NR (item 150106275084 end time Mar-31-07 11:14:46 PDT) How does something like this work? Will my car battery run out really fast if I use this?

**Brenton** · 03-31-2007, 06:52 AM

I don`t know. I know that 300watts isn`t enough for a small vacuum. Maybe the PC.

**Troy@Protekt** · 03-31-2007, 07:02 AM

Inverters are not powerful enough for a decent vacuum. You might find one to power your Porter Cable but not for very long. I researched power inverters years ago, wanting to use them instead of a generator, and found out it just wasn`t gonna work.

Calculate Watts = Amps x Volts to find the right size generator or power inverter for the job. Triple the wattage needed for induction motors like pressure washers and vacuums.

Troy

**Poorboy** · 03-31-2007, 10:34 AM

It won`t work

Either use your customers power or get a small generator

**justin** · 03-31-2007, 10:44 AM

The PC operates at I believe 3.7 amps, so you need at least 450 watts of continuous power to operate it. My small wet/dry vac (6gal) operates at around 9-10 amps, so I would need at least 1100-1200 continuous watts of power, which a power inverter of that size would cost you the same amount as a small generator.

**TrueDetailer** · 03-31-2007, 11:45 AM

Says it only powers up to 4.2 amps. Only thing you could run with that is a tiny vac. If you want to be a mobile detailer do it right. Buy a generator.

**Delano5050** · 03-31-2007, 07:09 PM

Thanks, It looks like I`ll have to have to find a generator or use the customers electricity. Can anyonw offer info on generators. I`m not to familiar with how they work? Never thaught I would need one, but it looks like a good investment.

**Poorboy** · 03-31-2007, 07:25 PM

check your local Home Depot or Lowes or even Sears when they have a Saturday sale like they had today (20% of all Craftsmen )

**Tex Star Detail** · 03-31-2007, 10:12 PM

Pep Boys usually has cheap generators....

**TrueDetailer** · 03-31-2007, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by Delano5050

Thanks, It looks like I`ll have to have to find a generator or use the customers electricity. Can anyonw offer info on generators. I`m not to familiar with how they work? Never thaught I would need one, but it looks like a good investment.

I`ve been running a 5500 watt porter cable since i started my business. I can run my mytee extractor,vacuum and my rotary all at the same time with no problems. I`m about to upgrade to the 7500 watt one sitting in my garage from the hurricanes a few years back. Only reason will be its a push button start.

I would say the first place you should look is the classifieds in your local papers. You can probably find one cheap in ther. Or check ebay for local auctions, and craigslist would be a good place too.

**Fireball** · 04-22-2007, 02:37 PM

Yeah, if anyone read my "irony" post about the Fireball Detail van catching fire, it was because of the inverter I had set up. Not that the inverter that you buy will catch fire, but well mine did. Ha ha hmmm. Not to mention you would need a very expensive inverter to do the job well.