Will an inverter run my compressor!?

[Redranger90]

Hey all! I figured I'd ask the guru's here as you've all probably got the experience to help me out. I'm going on a trip and would like to bring a compressor for air tools, filling tires etc. I have a 1.8hp 120v compressor that does about 4.9cfm. I'm wondering if a 12v to 120v inverter would be able to swing it?

I know 1.8hp is somewhere between 1300 and 1400 watts, so maybe a 1500 way inverter would do? Or should I go bigger for "starting amperage"

Also, I hear horror stories about big inverters causing all kinds of electrical mayhem sometimes. Wether or not they're true or just horror stories.... I dunno. I don't have a lot of experience when it comes to inverters.
Any advice would be well appreciated!

 

[unseenone]

Yes, an inverter will run your compressor.

Will the one you mentioned run it is another question. How long to you plan on running it, and what batteries are you planning on using?

I wouldn't buy a cheesy inverter and run it at is maximum. My personal experience with a cheap mid grade 1500w inverter was it wasn't worth much for most of my purposes. The inverter I have installed now works great.

 

[Airmapper]

I know my response will not be exactly what you had in mind, but what air tools do you need badly enough to take? If I were to venture a guess, I'd say an electric powered equivalent of any air tool you desire will need less wattage than a compressor, especially considering the usually limited usefulness of a portable size compressor.

I'd suggest, for the expense of setting up an inverter of that scale properly, (which is going to be serious coin) you might invest in cordless power tools that share a common battery pack, and a compact 12v compressor for filling tires. I have a cordless impact I carry in my expanded vehicle kit, I love it. Since I torque my own wheel lugs at 100 ft/lbs, it spins them off with ease.

 

[Redranger90]

I know my response will not be exactly what you had in mind, but what air tools do you need badly enough to take? If I were to venture a guess, I'd say an electric powered equivalent of any air tool you desire will need less wattage than a compressor, especially considering the usually limited usefulness of a portable size compressor.

I'd suggest, for the expense of setting up an inverter of that scale properly, (which is going to be serious coin) you might invest in cordless power tools that share a common battery pack, and a compact 12v compressor for filling tires. I have a cordless impact I carry in my expanded vehicle kit, I love it. Since I torque my own wheel lugs at 100 ft/lbs, it spins them off with ease.

Also an option I may look into for the future. The thing is, I already have a compressor. I'm thinking along the lines of being out in the woods and someone's truck breaks down and now we're 2 days from the nearest shop scenario. Obviously using regular hand tools is a thing, but I'd love to have impact, and I already have the tools for that

 

[Yarjammer]

The issue with a larger 120v compressor is the starting amps and the extended duty cycle amps in addition to the losses from DC=>AC=>DC. Unless your compressor is rated for continuous duty or you're bringing a 30+ gallon air tank with you, you are going to see your amps rapidly climb as the compressor heats up until you blow a fuse or worse when running air tools. If it is the kind of unit I think it is, most jobbers run a generator to power it when the grid isn't available.

I'd recommend:
12v compressor with air tank (ARB, Viair)
CO2 tank (Power Tank, CompAir, scuba tank)
Hammer or cheater bar

 

[unseenone]

Get the full experience, go with breaker bars and such. I can think of a lot of stuff I've considered hauling into the woods, a large compressor has never made the list.. And we haven't even gotten into how much battery you will need to run it. The rechargeable battery powered tools seem like the best idea so far if you insist on power tools. For the a lot less than the price of setting up all this, you can buy the tools, save 90% of the weight and space, and be money ahead.

I can't think of many places you can go in the US that you would be two days from civilization, or more than 100 miles from a McD's.

 

[wirenut]

I've run a larger compressor than yours on an inverter but it was a 3,000 watt unit. I doubt you could run yours on anything less than 2,000. You would also need a huge battery bank and a big alternator on the vehicle and you would need to keep the engine running. It's doable. My work truck is set up this way to run tools on the job site. However, for only using it once in a while I don't think it would be worth the trouble, weight, and expense.

 

[Lucky j]

Get an aob system with a tank for reserve. Go with the same size reserve as your portable compressor. Let the air buil up and go.

If you use a portable compressor, your reserve is no that great for power tools either.

Get a 100% duty cycle compressor like a some of the viair, get youre self a junk portable compressor tank for almost nothong at a metal recycler, by the switches. It will be cheaper than the inverter and extra batterie you need power your portable compressor and it will always be ready.

I even use mine at the cabin directly from the jeep for my air hammer! Just need to bring a air hose.