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Old 07-01-11, 02:20 PM   #21
MetroMPG
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It's a 1500w inverter, with 2/0 cables to four 225Ah golf cart batteries (that are half worn out, at least). So the system should be OK for light mowing.

But the constant current isn't the problem, it seems to be the starting current.

I already tried a 12A rated mower and 9A rated mower and the inverter wouldn't start either of them. Maybe the staring draw of this 7A one is low enough to work.

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Old 07-01-11, 02:23 PM   #22
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Is your 1500W inverter one of those 'soft start' types?
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Old 07-01-11, 02:34 PM   #23
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Not sure.

I do know it's not a "pure" (sine) wave type (so that makes it a square wave style?). There is a warning in the manual about it not playing nicely with certain motor types.

All I can say is so far it's been OK with these hand tools: a skillsaw; 2 different drills (hand & bench); electric chainsaw; angle grinder; dremel; shop vac.

EDIT: when I tried the other two mowers, it triggered the inverter's overcurrent warning & auto shut-off. One of them almost started up (spun, but didn't reach cruising speed before the breaker tripped). So that's why I assumed it was a starting current issue.
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Old 07-02-11, 08:39 PM   #24
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Mower fleet update!

1) Mower #2 pics (the "before" ones):



It's also a Black and Decker (this one made in China), model LM115, 7A rating.

After working on the handle today, I think the problem was someone backed into it with a car, and bent the crap out of it. Looks like they made several attempts to straighten it, and that's where at least some of the metal fatigue came from.



Yes, it's actually duct taped. And, yes, those are hose clamps holding the handle on. There was also some tin tying the two sides together.



Metal failure at a weak spot.

2) Welded - this AM, I patched up the handle with the little welder and metal from the junk bike pile (head tubes). Just need to bolt it back together now, and touch up with a bit of paint.

3) Inverter test - plugged this one in (briefly) on the solar inverter at the shack and... success! It starts and runs! If it doesn't piss rain tomorrow AM as forecast, I'll try it out.

4) More batts for mower #1? I may have another source for used gel cell batteries: my brother knows someone who works for a company that sells/services those emergency lights (for power failures, eg. in apartment stair wells). He'll ask the guy what they do with the ones they swap out.
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Old 07-04-11, 10:12 AM   #25
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Mower #2 success!

I mowed the lawn with no problems using the inverter. It was even a somewhat heavy (dewy) cut.

Glad this mower came available while I'm waiting to solve the battery situation for Mower #1.

When I was finished cutting, my shack next-door neighbour asked, "how'd you power that mower?" I pointed at the sky and he laughed.
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Old 07-05-11, 08:17 AM   #26
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Haha, very clever. Glad it worked out for ya. Whats the plan once you get the other one running?
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Old 07-05-11, 09:26 AM   #27
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One mower for the shack, the other for the mansion!
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Old 07-05-11, 09:59 AM   #28
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But, you already have another plug in mower, right? Or is that one yours?
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Old 07-05-11, 10:16 AM   #29
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I do, at the mansion. But it's got a 12A motor (power hog ), and it's pretty heavy for an electric. So it'll go into the backup fleet.
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Old 07-13-11, 01:07 PM   #30
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So, one of my battery sources says he's coming through for me with 5 batteries in the near future: three are 7 Ah bricks, two are 12 Ah. All are supposedly in decent shape.

I'll test them for capacity when I get 'em.

---

I've mowed the shack grass twice now with Mower #2 -- the small 7 amp, 110v one using the solar setup. Works fine.

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