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Thread: Power inverter mounting - electric chainsaw use

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    Default Power inverter mounting - electric chainsaw use



    I've had an inverter / electric chain saw combination for several years now. It's been a portable / temporary setup. I'd bring it along in the spring for limb/tree clearing. It has gotten a fair bit of impromptu as well as planned use. It worked well but it had a weakness in that at each use location I'd be opening the hood to connect jumper cables and then undoing the connection when the job was complete. It was a hassle that I wished to change.

    In comes "version 2" of the setup! Here are two pictures of the completed setup. Additional pix are at the link. Enjoy.

    www.JimWilliamson.net/automobile/2018-08-02--tech--power-inverter-mounting/




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    Default Re: Power inverter mounting - electric chainsaw use



    Is the an easily removable mount or are you thinking of leaving the inverter on the mount for longer periods of time?
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    James Orofino
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    Default Re: Power inverter mounting - electric chainsaw use



    FINOCJ previously posted:
    "Is the an easily removable mount or are you thinking of leaving the inverter on the mount for longer periods of time?"

    Was wondering the same...doesn't look like something you would want to get wet (or stolen).

    If it is to be removable, you might want to add some quick connects for the cables.


    Another idea occurred to me that might simply your setup/tear-down... Valve cover wing nuts;
    ___________
    ~Not All Who Wander Are Lost~ (at least not all the time)

  5. The Following Member Says Thanks to Spieg For This Post:

    Jim (August 5th, 2018)

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    Default Re: Power inverter mounting - electric chainsaw use



    It is removable - and that is the plan as theft is the primary concern - no matter if it was water protected or not.

    I first screw into the body the two lower thumb screws - to about the 90% fastened mark. I set the inverter down onto those two thumbscrews. I then install the two top thumbscrews - and tighten all four. Then I route and connect the power cables.

    So, on my last use (where I was planning to try it out), and what is my expected use - it stays in the jeep's trunk until a need is encountered. At that point, it is pulled out and assembled. From that point it is likely to stay ready for use for the rest of the trail unless heavy rain is the issue.

    I considered the heavy duty quick disconnect but am (for now) shying away as with each connection there is energy loss. Moving to the 2/0 gauge cables from the 2 gauge I now know it had been starved for power as the saw now runs with more power and the inverter does not need to be reset nearly as frequently. I don't wish to reduce performance. Attaching with the spin-on wing-nut is quick enough (not as quick as the disconnect - but good enough). Maybe some day I'll change my mind and install a set...

    Other locations I considered...

    1) Outside, atop the hood / or bridge the gap between below the windshield and back area of the hood.
    PRO: Up high / away from wheel splash. Close enough to the battery.
    CON: Interfere with the fold down windshield. The hood is not overly strong (considering the mass while going over bumpy trails). Exposed to rain. External - dust concerns.

    2) Outside, atop the winch
    PRO: The forward end of the jeep is typically where work is encountered. I could mount to the two chrome bars at the top of the winch (I do plan to relocate the solenoid box under the hood and would have more space available). My thinking was that "sufficient" power was already available at the winch (I now see that winch power cables would not be as good as the current setup).
    CON: Exposed to rain. Farther from the battery. External - dust concerns.

    3) Inside cabin - passenger foot well - up high, below the heater
    PRO: Closer to battery. Protected from almost all water. The unit is inside / less dust processing through the unit via its cooling fans.
    CON: Possible foot kicks from a passenger - not a big issue. Warmer location. Exhaust is below the passenger floorboard and it does get warm - specifically during stationary idle while cutting. Cable routing through the firewall with the heater in the way.

    4) Inside cabin - on the hump between shifters and firewall.
    PRO: Protected from almost all water. The unit is inside / less dust processing through the unit via its cooling fans.
    CON: Moving farther from the battery. Routing cables a concern with the heater in the way.

    5) Chosen spot
    PRO: Readily accessible for installation (no digging under the dash to drill holes), mounting / dismounting. Close to the battery. A cool environment.
    CON: Rain / puddle splash a concern. It's external and looks "interesting" / ODD (OK by me - i'm function first, form second [or should I say last]).

    If I wished, with the current spot or any other external spot, make an enclosure that would deal with puddle splashes and rain. `not on my radar.

    But then you say - why go though all of this effort when you could just go with a gas chainsaw! No quibble there. Mainly as I didn't have a gas chainsaw - but I did have this small electric. A plus is that so long as the fuel injected jeep is able to run, the chainsaw should with near 100% certainty, start and run. No issues of stale fuel or starting at different elevations.

  7. The Following 2 Members Say Thanks to Jim For This Post:

    FINOCJ (August 4th, 2018),Spieg (August 4th, 2018)

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    Default Re: Power inverter mounting - electric chainsaw use



    Very nice Jim! Wondering if thicker gauge extension cord would help with the resetting issue?

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    Default Re: Power inverter mounting - electric chainsaw use



    I do have a couple cords to try - I'll give the test a shot at the next opportunity.

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    Default Re: Power inverter mounting - electric chainsaw use



    That's going to be really useful when you go camping!

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    Default Re: Power inverter mounting - electric chainsaw use



    I kinda wanna put mine upside down in the top of the glove box.
    Close to the Batt. Cool, dry and easy to get to.
    ___________
    In a never ending search for the proper mix of dirt & rock !

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    Default Re: Power inverter mounting - electric chainsaw use



    If you want to do some testing, we can do some trending with my meter while you use it. If it's heat rated... I have some spare PC fans you could screw onto it. If it's a low voltage cut off... well... there could be a few solutions.

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    Default Re: Power inverter mounting - electric chainsaw use



    What would you be connecting the meter to - 12vDC side or the 120vAC side?

    I'd be curious to see some stats - max amps on both input and output. Voltage levels too - though I can get those somewhat easily enough.

    I'd also be curious as to max amps on the winch when near stall (I've been there / story listed somewhere here and involves a tree winch job with Rob and Chris's front bumper being pulled out of whack / I was thinking of how close I was to melting the battery terminals out of the battery).

    Do you have access to a tree trunk (8-12" dia) or should I find one?

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    Default Re: Power inverter mounting - electric chainsaw use



    I can only do 10A inline, but voltages, we can trend both in and out, but I have a nice enough clamp meter we can use to see AC and DC amperage up to 600A, albeit, without the fancy graph. My 5ton winch is about 410A max draw, how burly is that winch?

    You supply the stump, I'll bring to do-dads.

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    Default Re: Power inverter mounting - electric chainsaw use



    Warn XD9000

    https://www.warn.com/xd9-winch-28500

    I'll have to see about getting wood to cut...

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    Default Re: Power inverter mounting - electric chainsaw use



    That should work, let me know of you find something, ill keep my eyes and ears open.

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