Abacus
Well-Known Member
As title really. Does anyone use an inverter for electricity from 12V batteries? It would be to run LED lights or clippers.
Anyone use an inverter?
- Thread starter Abacus
- Start date
PaddyMonty
Well-Known Member
Inverters tend to drain batteries quickly. Better off getting 12v LED lights to run straight of battery and battery powered clippers.
Abacus
Well-Known Member
I already have the lights and clippers though so it would be expensive to change all that. Looking at solar power instead to charge the batteries... hmmm. Thanks.
The Fuzzy Furry
Living in 🦄 🦄 land
You couldn't really get away with running clippers off an inverter, even if you charge it at home and take to yard as it could well cut as not consistent.
We use one for racing, only for evening lighting tho when mains is not available.
It's portable and charged well at home and can do 2 or 3 evenings.
You'd need a pretty big one, which then wouldn't be portable.
Use an inverter for lighting, but either have generator for electric clippers, or get battery clippers.
We use one for racing, only for evening lighting tho when mains is not available.
It's portable and charged well at home and can do 2 or 3 evenings.
You'd need a pretty big one, which then wouldn't be portable.
Use an inverter for lighting, but either have generator for electric clippers, or get battery clippers.
Suechoccy
Well-Known Member
Yes I've used an inverter to run my mains clippers off my car battery in the car for two trace clips at a time of two horses several times a year for 7 or 8 years now. I park the car one side of the gate, turn engine off, open the bonnet, attach inverter, RCD and then clippers. Then I go to other side of gate, shut it, and have horses tied on same side of gate as me, then get on with clipping them. I've never run the car battery flat, probably 30 minutes maximum for both to be trace clipped. Only thing I have to beware of is dropping the clippers because I've foolishly left them on top of the gate and one horse nudged them off with his muzzle and so I've broke a couple of teeth on a blade.
Mine are Wolseley clippers (full size main clippers, not trimmers). They work absolutely fine off the battery, no inconsistencies of power.
Mine are Wolseley clippers (full size main clippers, not trimmers). They work absolutely fine off the battery, no inconsistencies of power.
AshleyG
Member
With your LED lights it might be possible to modify them to run of the 12V directly.
LED lights run on DC power (like you get out of a 12V Lead Acid Battery) so if you use an inverter it'll most likely go from 12V DC -> 240V AC -> (something like) 12VDC. An inefficient way of lighting - so even if you do go down the inverter route it might be worth looking into running the LEDs without the inverter.
LED lights run on DC power (like you get out of a 12V Lead Acid Battery) so if you use an inverter it'll most likely go from 12V DC -> 240V AC -> (something like) 12VDC. An inefficient way of lighting - so even if you do go down the inverter route it might be worth looking into running the LEDs without the inverter.
Nasicus
Well-Known Member
I run 12v LED Lights straight off a 12v UPS Battery. Just have a small motorbike fuse box joining it all up, works lovely!
mcnaughty
Well-Known Member
Get yourself a generator - a whole lot easier!
Abacus
Well-Known Member
Thanks for all the replies! I'll look into running the 12V lights from a battery - could be a good trick. I do have a generator but it's totally unreliable. Hardly ever worked last year and apparently now needs a new starter and regulator - more than it's worth. I could ebay it for parts and buy a better one, I suppose...