How can I convert 120 Volts DC into 120 Volts AC???

This is for a project I am working on. I need to run an small air compressor (120V – 15 amps). I know I could use a power inverter that converter 12V to 120V etc, but my friend said since I already have a 10 battery bank, I could build a 120DC to 120AC for a fraction of the cost of a big inverter. can someone tell me how to build one or give me and schematic?

Thanks

A VFD is a variable frequency drive. It uses electronics to rectify AC into DC, generate a frequency, then use output electronics to synthesize an AC waveform. With a battery bank, you need to do only the last part of this. I don’t know if anyone makes just this module. AC motors are generally pretty forgiving of waveform, it doesn’t need to be a perfect sine wave. They generally are made using a pulse width modulated output.

120VAC has 170V peak to peak. I expect your batteries need to be this, or half this, to work directly.

Google to find circuits used for VFD’s. You can leave yours at 60Hz, don’t need to change speed, though this may not make much difference. PIC microprocessor site and others have example VFD circuits. Their application note nicely explain the PWM schemes and tradeoffs. Yours could be fairly simple.

Some VFD’s may also run on DC. Check their specs. A 3HP unit is about $300 USD, so probably not too much cheaper than the inverter. Why not start by checking pricing on a 2000 watt inverter powered by 12V or 24V? Should be able to find for about $200 new. Plus, if you get an inverter, it could be used to drive other loads if needed.

Maybe you can get a used inverter to use or VFD to experiment with on ebay, if you are comfortable working with transistors. I would use 96V, use a MOSFET bridge to allow positive and negative going waveforms, then set up a controller and output transistor to PWM the output. It’s actually a fairly complex project, and the time required may be big compared to the money saved. Maybe your friend can help…

The voltages involved make it a little bit dangerous. Be safe, use caution.

Can i use this AC compressor on DC?

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=9189092

This is a great deal but i need it in the car on 12v dc so i want to use it to power my Air horns at 90 psi. The DC air horn compressors are hundreds of dollars.
I know i need an dc inverter to accomplish it.
Can you recommend a inverter?
How many watts or amps do i need it to be to work in the car?
And how much?
And where can iget one?

Any info , please give me all you know

WILL THIS BE WORTH IT? WILL THE JOB WORK?

I know nothing about this

thanks
LOOK I FOUND A 1 GAL ONE TOO

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=9189093

looks like a good deal. 500 watt or higher will run it. and by the way the idiot that told you to convert a freon tank to a air tank you need to ignore. aside from it being illegel the main reason for not doing this is moisture is in compressed air. The inside of a freon tank is uncoated steel. When moisture and uncoated steel are combined rust forms. the tank will rust from inside out and eventally blow up.Thats why a "freon"tank has a one way check valve on it so they cannot be refilled.

Power inverter question.?

I searched answers but I am still confused. All I know is 75 watt inverter plugged into cigarette lighter will not run my air compressor. So how many watts do I need? Compressor is 120 volts AC, 3.3. Amps. I saw Black and Decker inverters up to 750 Watts. Do I need that much? Wish I had studied better in physics. TY for any help.

You may not need 750 watts but you will need considerably more than 75 watts. Assuming that your air compressor offers a constant resistive load and 3.3 amps is its current draw, it will take
120 V * 3.3 A = 396 watts

In practice, the current rating will probably be for full load and may or may not represent the actual amount of current your compressor takes. The compressor will approach full load only when its air tank is near full pressure.

Reciprocating compressors also take their current in spurts, taking momentarily more power when the compressor is actually in its compression cycle and less when it is drawing more air into the system. If your compressor doesn’t have a flywheel or some other mechanical means of evening out this load, the current draw could vary wildly while the compressor is in operation.

Finally, the load a compressor puts on the line is usually not purely resistive but has an inductive component to it. This reduces the actual power below the theoretical maximum of Voltage * current but the inverter must still supply the full current. Furthermore, the inductive component may have an effect on the inverter’s capacity to deliver power.

With all these different effects are taken into account, the 400 watt estimate is just that – an estimate. The compressor may or may not work satisfactorily and at full capacity on such an inverter.

How many watts does a 5,000 BTU 120V window unit air conditioner pull?

My air conditioner in my car isn’t working. I plan to get it fixed latter on, but for now, I have an AC inverter that can handle about 300 watts and 120 volts and I think I can come up with something to catch the water. So would it work or would the fan just come on and the compressor hum and blow the inverter?

it wont work. the inverter isnt big enough,but you can check by looking at the tag.second an ac removes heat from air. now where do you plan on exhausting the thing?if your just gonna throw it in the seat and run it, its going to reach around 130-160.see it absorbs the heat and moves it outside.now if your in the exhaust area, its only gonna recirc the air, while constantly adding more heat from the system.so its like blowing on a tea kettle trying to keep it boiling under med. heat.see it stands to reason, that the heat of electric load. plus the heat of compression,and heat transfer,will far outweigh the benefit of trying to remeove the heat from the cab.its kinda like continuing to trade in a vehicle you owe more on than its worth, sooner or later it will get to the point of tipping balance and not helping but hurting the situation.

What is the head on an air pump called?

My portable air compressor’s hose ends in a standard head for use on tires, it looks a bit like a hammer with a beaver’s tail. The beaver’s tail broke off when it was being recalcitrant, thus I need to replace it. I don’t know however what the part is called or where to buy it, or even if I can replace it myself since it works under high pressure and I haven’t got the official crimping tools. Can anyone help? Who might fix this for me?

Before you suggest I replace the pump, it’s a combination inverter, car battery jumper, air compressor, 12v accessory outlet, and so forth worth a fair piece and I’d rather fix it than toss it.

The way you described the end, it sounds like you are referring to the air chuck. There are two types: a standard chuck that you have to hold on the tire valve; and one that allows you to clamp the chuck on the valve and not hold it. The one you mentioned sounds like the second type. You don’t have to replace the chuck if the release has broken off, but you will have to hold it on the valve. A note of caution: anytime you are doing maintenance work on any part of the compressor, relieve the air pressure from the tank.

What are the advantages of Compress Air Optimization Using Frequency Inverter?

A brewery uses compressed air for its production processes. It employs a compressor driven by an AC motor to produce the required volume and pressure during production days (Monday to Friday). The power consumed by the compressor is just alright during peak load or high plant air demand. Now, during lean days (Saturday and Sunday) only about 20% of the total compressor capacity could be utilized by the plant with the same and only one high power compressor motor. The management wants to cut down operational expenses.

You probably are talking about a screw compressor, which runs continuously. The frequency inverter would be a variable speed drive, I take it. So, when the load is low, it could run at a lower speed. The problem is that VSD (or VFD) are expensive and the kwh savings may not justify installing one.

If it is just a regular compressed air installation, you could try installing larger receiver tanks, i.e., system volume, and try shutting down the compressor while the system pressure holds. IOW, let the compressor cycle.

or,

install a regular reciprocating compressor, which is designed to cycle.

However, while the compressor is idle, the kwh load will be low, regardless.

Finally, remember, management is always right, so, if management wants it, don´t argue. Nobody likes a wise ass, but management loves to look wise.
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How do I find a product on line, Professional Power station, instant mobile power, by POWERLINE?

I have a portable battery jumpstarter, with Built in dc/ac inverter,air compressor,with light that is need of service, how do i find service or manufacturer, for address or phone # for service. Item was purchased at costco 2-1/2 years ago.

try eBay, or enter that in the search section.

Honda Civic Ima: Hybrid Doesn’t Have to be Boring

The call for eco-friendly vehicles has made automakers from the US and Japan to compete for the cash, hearts, and mind of the growing green car buyers. And presently it seems like the Japanese brands Toyota and Honda are leading the green vehicle department.

Honda maker of Honda exhaust system and Toyota have provided green car buyers with solutions in the shaped of modern design hybrid cars which were very much welcomed in both US and Japan reflected by the huge sales that these two hybrid brands have obtained. The success of hybrid vehicles has also reached other countries as a matter of fact the Irish government has responded positively to the arrival of hybrids in their market. It has given 50 percent Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) rebate on hybrids. This is the government’s way of encouraging the Irish people to purchase hybrid vehicles.

Despite the alluring tax incentive that the government is offering it is not enough to convince people to purchase a hybrid vehicle. People buy cars based on three factors and these are looks, performance, and price. Honda Civic and Toyota are very much aware of this and that’s why they have taken the effort to create the Honda Civic IMA and the Toyota Prius in accordance to the preference of their customers.

Honda hybrid cars make use of advanced Honda exhaust technology that lessens harmful emissions same with Toyota although it employs a different exhaust system but the end product is just the same. The new Civic IMA hybrid leads in terms of strict engine performance. Its 1.3 liter Honda engine and 10 kW electrical system revs up a total of 115 bhp while the 1.5 liter petrol Prius produces only 76 bhp. The Honda system compared to Toyota produces more torque and can achieve a higher forward speed.

On the other hand the Prius score much higher in terms of acceleration and economy. It’s almost half a second faster in terms of acceleration to Honda—11.5 seconds compared to the 12.1 seconds for the Civic IMA in a 0 to 100 km/hr race. The Toyota Prius is also more economical than the Honda Civic IMA that is despite the fact that IMA is rated as very clean with CO2 output level of just 109 g/km.

At the heart of the Civic IMA is the new Honda Hybrid System which is consists of a new 1.3 liter 3-stage iVTEC engine plus Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) —which explains the IMA in its name. The new Honda Hybrid System makes use of intelligent engine functions plus it is said to give the performance similar to that of a 1.8 liter engine while improving fuel economy, achieving very low levels of exhaust emissions, and reducing the system size by five percent.

The Honda Civic IMA’s 3-stage iVTEC engine utilizes three hydraulic pathways to couple and uncouple five rocker arm assembles, providing three stages of valve control depending on the driving conditions—to achieve a combination of responsive driving and fuel economy. In times of deceleration when the cylinder are idle, the combustion in all four cylinders is stopped and sealed shut, which reduces pumping losses caused by the engine aspiration for a ten percent improvement in recovery of braking energy. Everything has been done on the IMA to reduce friction and that includes the use of aluminum die-cast pistons.

The electric motor system of Honda utilizes coils with high-density windings and high-performance magnets to achieve high output. The inverter that is used to control the motor speed is integrated with the motor’s EGU for more precise digital control which is said to contribute to an even greater motor efficiency and fuel economy.

The battery output of the IMA has also been increased by almost 30 percent. Honda also claims that the IMA’s more compact, custom-designed battery storage box provides better cooling performance as well as vibration resistance for long term reliability.

The regenerative braking system of the IMA is engaged hydraulically to allow optimum braking regeneration along with smooth deceleration that conforms to brake-pedal pressure. IMA’s air conditioner unit features a hybrid compressor that is powered by both the engine and the motor. In case rapid cooling is needed it is powered by the engine and the motor combined. Once the temperature is stable it runs off the motor alone for improved comfort and fuel savings.

The performance of both the Prius and Civic hybrids is almost similar however the Civic IMA is better in styling. Honda’s designers have ensured that the appeal of the IMA would match the tastes of modern audience.

Jerick Brooks
http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/honda-civic-ima-hybrid-doesnt-have-to-be-boring-134361.html

Can i use a power inverter in my truck to run a 4 hp air compressor??

I got a 20 gallon 150 psi air compressor, and woundering if i can run it in my van without having to use a gas generator for power. It’s supposively 5 hp motor, but it’s a cheapy, (harbour freight, mr. seconds), so it’s probobly a true 3.5 hp or around there. Will one of those 1200 watt inverters off my van battery work, (or tell me watt needed) and if so, about how much run time will i get before it auto shuts off to save my battery????? Thanks guys.

Watts is only part of the problem. you also have to make sure it;s going to take the amps that the compressor will draw. I would also recomend that the tank be full prior to you kicking the compressor on. Other wise you may burn the unit up if you have to charge the 22 gallons of air in to that compressor. Also the more full the tank get the harder it needs to work. Take a car battery out of something and rig up a test plat form. If it works then your good. Other wise your not going to be able to do it.

What is the best air compressor for an INVERTER PORTABLE AIR PLASMA CUTTER (1/4"-1" capacity)?

Specifications of the Inverter Plasma Cutter:

Capacity: 1/4"-1"
Output: 20-80 Amps. variable with torch
Input: 230 Volts

Check the airflow rating of the cutter (volume per minute at a certain pressure) and make sure the compressor can produce at least that much volume. If not, you will have to interrupt your cutting periodically.