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After renting a power generator several times I was ready to finally break down and buy one to save the hassle of picking it up and returning it, plus the expense of the daily rental. Then while I was in Sam's Club one day I ran across a portable rechargeable battery. The name is XPower 600 and is on wheels so it can be easily transported.
It has been one of the handiest tools I have ever had. You simply plug it into an outlet and it recharges in several hours. It has been used to drill all kinds of holes, including over 20 half inch holes into concrete. We have used it to run a Wagner sprayer for almost half a day and lots of other odd jobs without having to recharge it, except at the end of the day.
The best part is that it only cost $135. It has paid for itself several times over by not having to rent a generator. We just sit it in the back of the pickup and then roll it around to whatever job there is to do that needs electricity. It has two plugs, so it can run more than one piece of equipment at a time.
This weekend I also bought a Tormek sharpening station. It works great too, but cost a lot more than the portable battery. I've resharpened all of my chisels and now wonder how I ever got anything done before. It is a has a slow speed, water-bathed stone plus a leather buffing wheel. It's a pleasure to have around.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Ray, is this a 110 volt battery?? Or, does it drive an inverter to produce the 110-V from the DC voltage source. Sounds very nifty to me!!
-------------------- John Smith Kings Bay Signs (Retired) Kissimmee, Florida Posts: 819 | From: Central Florida - The Sunshine State | Registered: Jan 2000
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Yes Ray, I'd like to know the voltage as well. As I understand it, the best way to tell is to lick it. Here is a chart that will be helpful in determining the voltage:
If the Pain is:
Very mild: 9 volts Somewhat painful: ~20 volts Quite painful (like a wasp sting): ~40 volts Extremely painful (tongue bleeds, swells) ~60 volts Excrutiatingly painful (Hair falls out, catches fire) ~120 volts Painful for a brief period, but then no pain at all, followed by euphoric feeling/tunnel with bright light at the end/people with wings & harps walking around: >120 volts
Disclaimer: I am not responsible for anything that happens to you if you try this.
Seriously though, that sounds like a cool device, and it most certainly must have some kind of inverter. I wonder how much different it would be from buying a power inverter, the type which plugs into your cigarette lighter. This would also run the types of tools you have mentioned, and they are small, and the battery will charge up automatically as you drive.
-shane
-------------------- Halo Graphics Clearlake Oaks, CA http://www.halographics.com ntshane1@halographics.com Posts: 308 | From: Clearlake Oaks, CA | Registered: May 2001
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I don't know - you just plug it in and it works. What else do I need to know?
Actually I think it does have an internal converter because it can be used as both AC and 12 volt DC. Since it has both types of outlets it can be used to jump start your car or power your drill. Anything that can be plugged into your car's lighter socket can be run with this battery.
It even has a light that tells you how much charge is left in the battery.
It can be recharged from either an electrical outlet or your car's battery by plugging it into the cigarette lighter.
Aren't new toys fun?
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Im going to knoxville next tuesday, and Ill be looking for one of them Raymond. Thats exactly what I have been needing. SOunds great!
-------------------- Maker of fine signs and other creative stuff. Located at 109 N. Cumberland ave. Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-837-0242 Posts: 4172 | From: Ages-Brookside, Ky. Up the Holler... | Registered: Jul 1999
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Hi guys! I'd be willing to bet the battery is DC (voltage could be almost anything). An inverter (rectifier) is needed to convert the DC into alternating current. It probibly also may have a voltage regulater so that Raymond can have the 12 volt DC output. Sounds like a really cool thing to have around, much cheaper than a portable generater.
Raymond, I'm wondering who makes it and what is the amphour of the battery? I think I gotta get one too!!
-------------------- Mark Neurohr "Ernest" Paintin' Place 141 Sunnyside Road Kittanning, PA 16201
[ June 17, 2002, 10:31 PM: Message edited by: Bob Gilliland ]
-------------------- Bob Gilliland InKnowVative Communications Harrisburg PA, USA
"The U.S. Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself." Benjamin Franklin Posts: 642 | From: Harrisburg, PA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hey Ray, A double whammy! Good tools really help take the work out of this job!!!! Someone said that a tool only needed to be sharp enough to do the job, I always thought they should be sharp enough to take the work, out of the job......How do you like working with sharp tools? hehehehehe
Joe, Makin Chips and Havin Fun! On Mars!
-------------------- Joe Cieslowski Connecticut Woodcarvers Gallery P.O.Box 368 East Canaan CT 06024 jcieslowski@snet.net 860-824-0883 Posts: 2345 | From: East Canaan CT 06024 | Registered: Nov 2001
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