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power source at field?
I sometimes have no power source at events and fields that I fly at.
I need some source of 12 volts. What are you guys using? I was looking into a 100 dollar harbour freight generator or a 12 volt marine battery. What would be better. I normally fly 2200 mah 3 cell batteries. thanks Rich |
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Get a big ASS deep cycle battery or 2.
Don't waste your money on a cheap generator. They are not good for our chargers and your neighbors will hate you for it. |
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I use the Harbor Freight - it works fine for chargers and have used it for many years. It is a bit loud and uses a 2 cycle engine - so no question it makes some noise. I use a good power supply and have no issue with voltage and zero issues with the chargers. At the field nobody will care about the slight noise - the glow engines will drown this out. It works great for fly-in events and this use. Don't expect much else out of it - maybe a few lights or small appliances in a power outage. At events I have power 8 or 9 50-200w chargers. I am not sure when my power supplies will be ruined but I am still going strong. Deep cycle batteries last about 3 years here in the TX heat. And they are VERY expensive and VERY heavy. So save your money. Use a generator/inverter. I would love to have a 2000w inverter but those run about $800-1k. But they are much more useful if you camp or have an RV or want to use it for appliances in a power outage. If you can hack the price the Honda is really tough to beat and puts out very clean AC power. Mike |
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I went with with 2 costco deep cycles. They are 45lbs each so need to watch the back when lifting them. I put them in a milkcrate and use a small fold away dolly. I never discharge them below 50% so I should get 3yrs no prob. AT $85 each and 3yr lifespan, it would take 15+ years to break even on a 2000 watt Honda so I'm pretty happy with my setup for now. Don't get me wrong though.. I would love one of those Honda's. |
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Check your local surplus stores for big lead acid batteries. I have a 100 amp hour battery that cost me $29.99. I've been using it for at least 7 years. The deep cycles I was using in the past would only last a year or so and cost much more.
If you can't find a surplus battery I have been happy enough with this battery that I would buy a new one at full retail. A slightly different battery, but easily available would be the Optima deep cycles. Imthink you can even getnthese at Sam's club. |
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I use a 12 V Pb spare car battery. I know that many will disagree, but it depends what you are flying.
I fly el. gliders using 2200 mAh batteries and I have 3 packs. If I charge them at home I have 3x 30-60 min flights, then I can charge each at the field for another 3x 30-60 min. Enough for a day flying. But if you can afford a deep cycle battery or a generator - it's definitly a better option. |
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My field charging requirements are similar to yours. I'm in my 3rd season using a NAPA garden tractor battery that after rebate, set me back about 22 bucks, and doesn't break my back As soon as I get back home, I hook it up to the little 1.5A Schummacher float charger and it's fully charged for my next trip to the field. Pete |
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An alternator puts out a “pure” sine wave, an inverter does not! Better/expensive inverters get close and are called pure sine wave; most are modified sine wave.
The alternator in a cheap generator still puts out a “pure” sine wave whose frequency is directly proportional to the rpm! The problem is that they have poor/no control of rpm with changing loads. I’m guessing that there something that make an Inverter Generator cheaper & lighter than one with an alternator. And the electronics maintain the frequency better. Also think that they get the DC off a magneto and inject that high into the block diagram shown below. Maybe cheaper inverter generators are modified sine wave; pure from more $$? The question really become – is modified good enough? Most all of us take alternators to the field! In my case 2007 Ford Explorer – it has a 120A unit. Note – switching power supplies run just fine w/o issue off a modified sine wave! So, go for a inverter and PS off your car. I have been using my MasTech 5020 power supply with a Vector 2000W modified since wave inverter for quite. The engine doesn’t flinch or change rpm when doing a 1000W from the inverter . Also use an extension cord from to get the power to the pits. |
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Best piece of field gear I've ever had.
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