Can I use a car battery to power a plug outlet? If so, how?

Question

I need to use an angle grinder to cut locks at a self storage facility (Don't worry, it's legal. I own the facility.). I have looked into cordless grinders but they are expensive, don't provide a whole lot of power and don't last very long.

I want to be able to put a car battery on wheels and plug the 7 amp angle grinder into it.

My first question: Is this possible?

Second question: How do I connect an outlet (or a power inverter) to the car battery?

Third question: How long will a car battery last doing this?

Fourth question: Can I recharge the battery in between uses?

Thanks for your help! Feel free to refer me to another website with the answer.

Answer 1

It's possible using an inverter.

You'll need an inverter with a fairly high wattage capacity to run a grinder and those usually come with clamps to attach directly to a car battery, rather than the cigarette lighter plugs found on lower wattage inverters.

The length of time the car battery will last will depend on the power draw of the inverter and grinder and how long you're using them and on the amp-hour capacity of the battery. These things can vary widely.

You pretty much NEED to recharge the battery between uses if you've run it down.

Answer 2

You do it with an inverter and you get the power you need by buying a big enough inverter. It connects normally to a vehicle battery and is recharged from the vehicle generator and is commonly used in smaller RV's. The outlet is on the front of the box and you just plug in.
Sure you can recharge the battery between uses. Car batteries (except deep discharge like for trolling) do NOT like to be completely discharged - damages their capacity.
In an RV, there is a box with terminals to go to the alternator and to the vehicle and accessory batteries. It allows recharging the accessory, but does not drain the vehicle battery along with the accessory.
With the cost of inverters of this capacity, you may find you would be better off with a 12 volt air compressor and a cheap air drive die grinder with a cut off wheel or
a battery powered reciprocating saw with a tungston carbide blade. the latest hot tool for thieves faced with padlocks, succeeding the old standby of small oxy-acetyline tanks and cutting torch.

Answer 3

Use a properly sized power inverter. No problem at all. Look at the amps on the grinder and the inverter. Leave the car running while using the grinder.

Answer 4

I think the cordless grinder or generator will be cheaper. That's a big inverter you are talking about and very little run time on a battery.

I did like the compressed air idea above but expensive unless you already have the compressor.

Thumbs down to all those that think bolt cutters would work on storage unit padlocks.

Answer 5

probably be easier and cheaper to use an air angle grinder and tote around a 20 gallon air tank. You can hook an inverter up you'll need a pretty big one , like a 1000w inverter, simple hook up though.. Talk to the next guy with a car whose windows are vibrating with the Bass. as those subwoofers use amplifiers that draw about the same current. Ask them how long their stereos last with the car off.

Answer 6

Yes its easily possible. It just requires purchasing a power inverter that is large enough to handle the grinder under load and has battery clips to clip directly to the battery.

If you don't have a power inverter already you can get them at Walmart, Harbor Freight, and most automotive stores also carry them. Also Home Depot carries some pretty nice ones also. I personally have a Husky 750Watt from Home Depot and it is fan cooled dual outlet and has low battery shut-down protection which is great if you use it from your vehicle battery.

If you have further questions email me at [e-mail].

Answer 7

Hooking Up An Outlet

Answer 8

Yes you will have to buy an inverter that converts 12VDC to 120 AC. 7 Amps at 120 volts is going to equal to approximately 840 watts: So you are going to need at least a 900 to 1,000 watt inverter. If you can't find on at your local auto parts dealers you can find them at most TSA truck stops. or travel stores at most big Truck stops. You can also fight them at truck dealers. I mean by that dealers that sell 18 wheelers like Peter Built, Kenworth. Internationals. The biggest I have seen in truck stops was a 5,000 watt unit. That thing could almost power a whole house. 1,000 watt units are fairly common in trucks now days because most drivers have refridgetors in their trucks, entertainment centers and computers in their trucks, and instead of running their engines all night they use electric blankets when it is real cold. Plus a lot of them have small electric stoves so they can cook and not have to pay the high prices at truck stop restaurants. You will also need a battery charger to charge up your battery between uses Not cheap rinky dink one, a good one. It might cost you more money up front but cheaper in the long run. Another place I just thought of you can look is at your local R.V. dealers (Travel trailers) They use a lot of 12 volt self contained appliances like air conditioners, ice boxes, They also do it the other way and have inverters to convert 12VDC to 120 VAC..

Answer 9

A couple of 100' extention cords would probably be
your cheapest solution.
By the time you buy a good auto battery and inverter,
you'd probably be able to buy a good battery driven
cut-off saw.

Answer 10

A $20 pair of bolt cutters will solve all your problems. After that the best thing is to go with a cordless tool.