New Guy, Inverter for power tools?

[dawjr]

Hey, Guys. What's the most inexpensive way to arrive at 110AC for occasional power tool usage on the jobsite? My cart is a 36 volt.

All the best, Don

 

[dougmcp]

Depends on how much power and for how long. An inverter can work well but if you run the batteries down too much, you'll be walking.

 

[dawjr]

Understand. This is just for an occasional use, say to have the opportunity to make a quick cut with a sawzall on some pipe while out in the back forty.

My first instinct is to simply hook up the small inverter I have to a pair of the batteries, 12volts. A switch and fuse inline to turn the thing off. But . . . I read where that can shorten the life of the batteries. Would this be true even in an occasional use situation? Even is you use some of the charge from two batteries, since the pack is wired in series wouldn't the others effectively balance the charge after a bit of sitting?

All the best, Don

 

[dougmcp]

Occasional use is fine, you should have no problems. If you draw down one set of 12v batteries, the charger will run to charge up the lowest ones, effectively overcharging the others. All in all I think it's a non issue in practical terms.