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Tony S Special user New York 582 Posts |
Has anyone had any experience with using custom batteries. I'm looking to run a snow machine for just a couple of minutes without having an electrical cord attached. The machine runs on 120 volts.
I'd like to get info on how big the battery or batteries might need to be, where I can get them, or any other useful information you might have. Thanks, Tony |
Dream-Concepts New user UK 95 Posts |
Get a regular 12v sealed lead acid battery (cost you about $30) and hook it up to an inverter (cost $45) to give you a 120v power supply. You should find both in Radio Shack or an equivalent store.
You'll need to do some sums to work out what Amp-Hour battery you'll need but the guys in the store will be able to advise you.
Our annual sale of Costumes & props is now on - view them at www.IllusionExchange.com
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Kevin Ridgeway V.I.P. Indianapolis, IN & Phoenix, AZ 1832 Posts |
DreampConcepts has the right idea..just the wrong price on the invertor. You will need an invertor that produces enough amps at 120 volts. With snow machines running a blower and even more power sucking heater, a $45 invertor will not do it. You most likely will be in the $150-$400 range.
It will be easy to find out what you need. Just look at the amp rating on the snow machine. When choosing your invertor, make sure to get one with the correct amps at the consistant level, not surge or startup. Kevin Kevin
Living Illusions
Ridgeway & Johnson Entertainment Inc Kevin Ridgeway & Kristen Johnson aka Lady Houdini The World's Premier Female Escape Artist www.LadyHoudini.com www.livingillusions.com |
Dream-Concepts New user UK 95 Posts |
You need to hunt around a bit then - over here the equivalent of Radio Shack sells a range of inverters that take 12v up to 220v (european voltage) at up to 6amp for that kind of price.
Check out camping / tent / trailer supplies companies as many of them use 12v battery supplies to generate short bursts of mains voltage.
Our annual sale of Costumes & props is now on - view them at www.IllusionExchange.com
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Kevin Ridgeway V.I.P. Indianapolis, IN & Phoenix, AZ 1832 Posts |
In the US since we use 120 volt, that would be 12amps. That would equate to 1440 watts. That is most likely plenty for the snow machine. A decent 1000 watt inverter runs around $150-$225 here.
kevin
Living Illusions
Ridgeway & Johnson Entertainment Inc Kevin Ridgeway & Kristen Johnson aka Lady Houdini The World's Premier Female Escape Artist www.LadyHoudini.com www.livingillusions.com |
g0thike Special user 722 Posts |
Kevin,
What is the formula for watts, amps, volts, etc.? Personally I have a 400 watt invertor but I have been looking into getting a bigger unit so I can power my 250 watt Fender PA, 2 wireless microphone racks, a laptop and a 500 watt photolight bulb. G0THIKE |
Dream-Concepts New user UK 95 Posts |
Amps = Watts/Volts
Therefore your Photolight Amps = 500/120 = 4.1A Your 400w inverter can happily supply around 3.5A
Our annual sale of Costumes & props is now on - view them at www.IllusionExchange.com
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hugmagic Inner circle 7655 Posts |
See we told you that high school shop class on electricity would come in handy.
Richard
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
Donnie W New user 51 Posts |
Takes a large battery to power a large inverter for very long. Check amp/hr rating of battery. 10 amp/hr will supply 10 amps for an hour ideally, but with the loss in in the inverter figure on about 75-80% also don't skimp on wires between inverter and battery so you don't have a voltage drop. A good source for high power inverters is your local truckstop especially if you need one quickly. 73 Donnie
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Dream-Concepts New user UK 95 Posts |
That's why you want to go for a SEALED LEAD ACID battery - about the best size / power ratio and a lot more stable than other types of battery.
Our annual sale of Costumes & props is now on - view them at www.IllusionExchange.com
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Tony S Special user New York 582 Posts |
Wow - there's a lot of good information here. Thanks for the help everyone. It looks like I've got my work cut out for me.
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robertwong Loyal user Calgary, Canada 212 Posts |
Hi guys:
I am looking at a portable batter unit to power a Fender PD150, ShowTech and a Shure Mic System. What do I have to look for in a power supply to make sure it can run all this. ie. watts, amps, etc. The reason I want a portable battery with an AC outlet is so that I can plug multiple items into it. I have heard of a portable power supply for the Fender, however for my uses I want the flexibility of being able to plug anything electronic into the power unit since I also own a Anchor Audio and Fostex powered speakers. Thanks for your time. Robert. |
g0thike Special user 722 Posts |
Yo,
I found a 2000 watt power invertor for $150.00. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Di......er=92464 Anyone know of some battery with high amp per hour? G0THIKE |
adzimme New user 56 Posts |
The other think you want is the right kind of battery. If you just go buy a car battery, it will not last very long. You need a marine type deep cycle battery (not a starting battery) but what would typically be called a "House Battery". Deep cycle means that it can take multiple full discharges (which a normal lead/acid car battery will not do well). To get the life you want, you may need to put two or more in parallel (same voltage, twice the current/amps). A store like West Marine would have what you need (and they can hook you up with a large inverter too). You will also need a charger to recharge the battery (same sources).
When you factor in the weight and the hassle of recharging the battery it may be easier to go with a small generator. Alan |
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