240v Supply in a Van

[Spazz]

I am looking to put a 240v supply into a van to charge batteries, run a printer. I am also thinking about having a hook up lead to run power tools on sites where no power is available.
Any Ideas???

I have looked at inverters but the problem is that they are not big enough (Watts)
I have also looked at a Generator, but I wont want this running all the time when just chargers and a printer is on.
I have a big leisure battery which I can use, with a separate charging lead from the alternator so it wont use anything from the main van battery - no flat batteries.

 

[Adam W]

Presumably an inverter would provide sufficient power for the chargers and printer, so you could run those off the battery, then run a generator when you need to use power tools, with the generator also running a charger for the leisure battery - you just need to use the right socket for the right application.
Alternatively you could use the same socket(s) with a changeover switch to switch between generator and battery.

 

[HandySparks]

I have looked at inverters but the problem is that they are not big enough (Watts)

So how much power do you want? You can get inverters of almost any rating you like. More to the point, will your battery cope? For example a 1kW load, will pull about 100A from a 12V battery, allowing for the losses in the inverter.

 

[MTI]

Dont get fooled into those ebay invertors! they are known to melt or even explode if they work in the first place! the sign wave on them is pants too but if you shop about, you can get them. The unfortunate thing is everyone imports nowadays so do your research when you find a chosen model. My mate has a 3kW invertor in his merc and has run power tools of a massive load on it no probs. Hope you find something

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Sine wave. Not sign wave!

 

[Spazz]

More to the point, will your battery cope? For example a 1kW load, will pull about 100A from a 12V battery, allowing for the losses in the inverter.

I have a 175Ah battery that my grandfather bought for his boat, but as he has sold it now he gave it to me, as he has no use for it.

I am aiming for about 2KW of power - think that should be enough.

If the leisure battery runs down all I will have to do is start the engine and that will charge it back up over time.
My Alternator is about 200Ah - not sure exactly, but I know its bigger than 175Ah.

 

[Gerry24]

I have a Silverline 2kw inverter that I run off a 75A/h leisure battery. I have run a 500w drill and 750w angle grinder off it without any problems. It's a fairly cheap and cheerful set up. The inverter cost me £140 off Amazon and the leisure battery was about £80. Most of my power tools and battery powered so it doesn't get a lot of use. I only really have it for back up and it does the job fine.

 

[Spazz]

That sounds great Gerry.

Im the same, but I do general repairs as well, inc plumbing and carpentry so I use wood tools quiet a lot - that would be great as I will only be using 1 at a time at most. Maybe if Im part of a group on site at most 2 tools will be running (Forgot that bit when I did my calculations - lol)


Personally I think the battery chargers and printer will be drawing the majority of the time so they will be handled fine Im sure

 

[Rockingit]

Not any use to the OP (sorry!) but I bought an ex MOD landrover years ago that had been a radio wagon. Apart from being 4" longer than a standard lwb, under the bonnet there was a stuffing big generator instead of the normal alternator. The thing was wired as 24v vehicle circuits (so jump-starts were a no!) and it had something like 20kW of 240v available in the back!! Shame I trashed it green laning one day as it would be brilliant for farm call-outs. Loooong time ago now.

 

[UNG]

There was a company that manufactured 12 / 240v alternators that I came across a number of years ago when installing power in the back of vans can't remember the name of the company though if going this route I would suggest fitting a run-lok unit so you don't have to leave the keys in the ignition to keep the engine running

 

[Spazz]

That sounds great UNG, where I am though it is not a good idea to leave the engine running at all.
I think I will stick to the inverter - easier and cheaper I think.

Thanks everyone

 

[ezzzekiel]

was always going to get inverter for van just to charge batteries for cordless gear but read they destroy the batteries so never bothered

 

[UNG]

That sounds great UNG, where I am though it is not a good idea to leave the engine running at all.
I think I will stick to the inverter - easier and cheaper I think.

Thanks everyone

The Run lock unit allows the engine to run but if the clutch or brake pedal is pressed the engine cuts out see this link EVS - Emergency Vehicle Solutions : Run Lock Relay Unit [Runlock] - £79.99 as it says it's what the emergency services use so they can run all there beacons and radios

 

[Spazz]

was always going to get inverter for van just to charge batteries for cordless gear but read they destroy the batteries so never bothered

I have used small inverters before, and being a trained mechanic - they only destroy batteries when the battery on the car is to small to handle the output required.
i.e. 100mAH required and the battery in question can only supply 70mAH. This will result in the battery overheating and breaking down.

If you use the correct battery, correct leads, correct inverter then you wont have a problem

You just have to do a few calculations.

 

[overskilled]

EDIT: Just realised the date of the previous post, misread it last night...Apologies.

I think the comment referred to the tools batteries not the vehicle battery.
Some of the Li kit doesn't take kindly to inverter supplies particularly cheap inverters....

I have a mate who needed 240v power where only 110v was available...found him a 110v->240v transformer (like a 110v tranny but in blue), then commando plug to BS1363 socket...sorted.

 

[Earthstore]

This thread is 19 months old, maybe he has sorted it by now???

 

[overskilled]

Awww kack...didn't see the date...whoops....

I'd hope he had sorted it by now,