Hi everyone,

At the moment, I'm doing side jobs that require the use of a drill and
a chop saw. I recently purchased an 8 amp Milwaukee 1/2 " magnum drill
and I also bought some a couple of 100 feet worth of extension chords
rated at 13 amp. This is adequate for the drilling I have to do
through plywood and 2X4 boards on the forms set up to hold concrete on
home slabs. The reason why I drill through the forms is to install the
post tension cables.

I'm also looking to acquire a 15 amp Milwaukee chop saw for cutting the
rebar pieces that will serve as concrete reinforcement. But what I
need to get first is a generator, because in a few places where I've
been sent to do jobs, the electricians haven't set the poles up and I
have nothing to plug into. I have to end up borrowing someone else's
generator but I need to get one of my own.

I'm looking to get the smallest generator possible because I have space
limitations in my car. I was looking at the Coleman Pulse that has a
maximum of 1850 watts (surge) but I'm not sure if that's enough. I
guess it may be enough for the drill, but it probably won't be enough
for either a circular saw or the chop saw. What would be the minimum
wattage size of a generator to run something like a 15 amp Milwaukee
chop saw or circular saw? I only play on running one thing at a time
from the generator; I won't be running multiple tools simultaneously
off the current.

Since I was planning or intending to pick up the 15 amp chop saw, I was
wondering if the fact that the extension cords I have are rated at 13
amps or lower could present a problem? What I did today was pick up a
100 foot 15 amp extension cord so it matches the amperage on the chop
saw. It was really expensive...at least over $60. Would it be a
problem, from a safety perspective, if I used the 13 amp extension
cords on the 15 amp chow saw?

thanks

wrote:
What would be the minimum
wattage size of a generator to run something like a 15 amp Milwaukee
chop saw or circular saw? I only play on running one thing at a time
from the generator; I won't be running multiple tools simultaneously
off the current.

Can't say I've tried it, but theoretically, 15 amps at 110 volts should
be 1650 watts. And the chop saw won't be using 15 amps all the time
(maybe just at startup and under very heavy loads), but I'd still
definitely use the 15 amp extension.
I'm sure someone will correct me if this theory doesn't translate
nicely into practice.
Andy

Would it be a problem, from a safety perspective, if I used the 13 amp extension
cords on the 15 amp chow saw?

thanks


On a 100 ft cord the voltage drop will over heat the cord wires,
starve the tool motors and cause them to heat up very fast increasing
resistance. The tool motors require a certain wattage (amps X
volts). If it can't get the volts, it will draw more amps to get it's
wattage, which will heat up wires and the motors more - snow ball
effect. If your lucky, it will only trip the breakers .

Look at what the commercial pros use for cords. They aren't that big
because they like to spend money on wire.

Pete

wrote:

At the moment, I'm doing side jobs that require the use of a drill and
a chop saw.

snip

Let's cut to the chase.

I've been to the movie, don't want the T-Shirt.

You need a "Contractor Generator" which isd a 10HP engine, 5,000W
generator, probably $500-$600 range.

You need #10AWG extension cords, 100 ft MAX for the chop saw.

Use the other cord for the drill. (The generator has a duplex receptacle)

At the end of the day, the job will be done, your tools will be in the
truck, in working order, ready to do the same thing all over tomorrow.

Lew

I previously wrote:

You need a "Contractor Generator" which is a 10HP engine, 5,000W
generator, probably $500-$600 range.


Change the oil (SAE30 Non detergent) every 40 hours.

(I did it last thing Sunday night, every week for over a year)

If you don't, premature engine failure.

(I wore out a couple eng-gen units before I figured that one out)


Lew

the formula for figuring amp output is divide voltage into watt output
and you will have the max amp output like this 4000 watt divided by 110
volt = 36.36 amp, also 12ga wire has a 20 amp capacity and should be
fine on a 100ft. run
if you have a 15 amp chop saw 15amp x 110 volts gives you 1650 amp
draw.
ross

Lew Hodgett wrote in news:FCEug.9180$PE1.1282
@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net:

I previously wrote:

You need a "Contractor Generator" which is a 10HP engine, 5,000W
generator, probably $500-$600 range.


Change the oil (SAE30 Non detergent) every 40 hours.

(I did it last thing Sunday night, every week for over a year)

If you don't, premature engine failure.

(I wore out a couple eng-gen units before I figured that one out)


Lew

Only if that is the oil that the manufacturer recommends. Follow the
manufacturers recommendations for type and weight of oil.

I have never heard of any manufacturer that as disallowed warrantee for too
many oil changes.

wrote:
[snipped for brevity]
I'm looking to get the smallest generator possible because I have space
limitations in my car. I was looking at the Coleman Pulse that has a
maximum of 1850 watts (surge) but I'm not sure if that's enough. I


Those Coleman Pulse generators are not designed to wind up a 15 watt
chopsaw with a 100 ft cord attached to it. ( minimum 12 gauge. 10 ga
MUCH preferred.)
Those 'camper' generators are to power the airmatress inflators and
maybe a a couple lights/fans/radio. They're also basically
disposable... I can't imagine anybody fixing one of them.THE rule is:
only cry once.

To hang your living off a 'toy' generator would be doing yourself a
disservice.

My advice? Listen to Uncle Lew Hodgett.

(Ross Hebeisen) said:

the formula for figuring amp output is divide voltage into watt output
and you will have the max amp output like this 4000 watt divided by 110
volt = 36.36 amp, also 12ga wire has a 20 amp capacity and should be
fine on a 100ft. run
if you have a 15 amp chop saw 15amp x 110 volts gives you 1650 amp
draw.
ross


12 ga, 100 ft, 15 amp is close to the limit but should be OK with
amost 6v drop (5%). 12ga, 100ft, 20 amp is borderline at best with
amost 8v (6.7%) drop. Much better to use 10ga for that load and
distance and suffer less than a 5v (4.2%) drop. (Percentages figured
on 120VAC service)

As someone else said, for a given load, the motor will draw whatever
wattage it needs (volts X amps). So when the voltage drop in the line
is excessive, it will draw more amps to get the needed watts which
increases the voltage drop which increases the amps drawn which
increases the voltage drop which increases the amps, etc.

That said, you will be OK as long as you don't start popping breakers
or, Heaven forbid, let the magic smoke out of the motor. Only you can
decide whether you'd rather spend your money for a for a heaver
extension cord or for a new motor AND a heavier extension cord.

tysteel300 said:
snip
But what I need to get first is a generator, because in a few places where
I've
been sent to do jobs, the electricians haven't set the poles up and I
have nothing to plug into. I have to end up borrowing someone else's
generator but I need to get one of my own.

I'm looking to get the smallest generator possible because I have space
limitations in my car. I was looking at the Coleman Pulse that has a
maximum of 1850 watts (surge) but I'm not sure if that's enough. I
guess it may be enough for the drill, but it probably won't be enough
for either a circular saw or the chop saw. What would be the minimum
wattage size of a generator to run something like a 15 amp Milwaukee
chop saw or circular saw?
snip

Get a Honda.
http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/M...delName=en2500

This little (affordable) generator will fit in your car's trunk and it has
enough power for your requirements.
The Coleman's may be fine for limited use but take it from someone who uses
generators frequently, you will soon grow to hate it.

As with any generator, use the shortest/fattest cord you can and do service
it regularly.

Dave

wrote in news:1153102458.483541.94900@
35g2000cwc.googlegroups.com:

I'm looking to get the smallest generator possible because I have space
limitations in my car. I was looking at the Coleman Pulse that has a
maximum of 1850 watts (surge) but I'm not sure if that's enough.

Probably not enough for the saw. Plus that's a light duty generator
with a Briggs engine, intended for campers and folk like that, it
won't last on a job site. Try the Honda EU2000 - it can probably
handle your chop saw, and it will last for years.

Since I was planning or intending to pick up the 15 amp chop saw, I was
wondering if the fact that the extension cords I have are rated at 13
amps or lower could present a problem?

Yes, especially since the generator is going to be marginal for
the load.

What I did today was pick up a
100 foot 15 amp extension cord so it matches the amperage on the chop
saw.

Don't do that - you're wasting your money. Put the generator where
the saw is, and don't use an extension cord at all. Any cord, even
a thick one, is absorbing some of the power; you have none to spare
with the kind of generator you're looking at.

John

I have used a Honda 2200 watt (104 pounds) for a number of years. It
went to Mississippi for a while after Katrina but is now back. For one
tool at a time it's just barely adequate. Chop saws and circular saws
will run OK with it if they are brought up to full speed first and
don't get bound in a cut or forced into the material. I have a wheel
kit on it.

For what you want to do, it's going to take at least 3500-5000 watts of
generator. I doubt that you will need to go to a 6250 rating. Problem
is, now the thing weighs 150 pounds or more. It's at least a two person
deal unless you can mount it on a 5x10 trailer and bolt it down. It
will need the 4-5 gallon tank, not the little 1.5 gallon tank that goes
empty in the middle of the job.

I use 10 guage cord, 50' long. Otherwise it's 12 guage in either 50' or
100'.

BTW, get the unit with the largest muffler available. Do not get the
4000 watt unit, 1 gallon tank and tiny hot-dog muffler. Your ears will
thank you.

Hi my friend,

These craftsmen have given you a whole lot of good advice..

You have a choice, to buy the right power supply and cables to start
with, or to constantly be buying new saws, drills etc.

The key is to have a generator that will provide at least twice the
largest draw in watts or amps that you will ever expect to use. The
reason is that the 15 amp chop saw that you expect to buy, will use very
much more than 15 amps on start up, up to 3 times that much amperage
on start. The surge rating.

While it is true that that kind of current draw will only be momentary,
it still is enough, that when you are using using a power source that is
not powerful enough, that you will over heat the motor on startup, so
every time that you start the motor, you will be cooking the winding,
and you can only do that just so many times before it fails.

The formulas given already are close enough to put you into the ball
park, but they are for DC current. Those AC current formulas are a bit
different, and I know that you do not want to get into those formulas
that gets you into phase angles etc.

So, take the advice of all these fine craftsmen.

1. Buy the biggest generator that you can get, even if you have to haul
it in a trailer, or tie it on top of your car.
2. Buy the heaviest gage extension cords that you can get your hands on.
That way when you have to extend out 200 feet from the generator that
you will not burn up your saw the first time that you use it.
3. Never use a 100 ft cord when a 25 foot, or 50 foot, cord will do the
job. you can always use 2, 50 foot cords to reach 100 feet, a 25 foot
and a 50 foot cord to reach 75 feet, but a 100 foot cord when used at 25
feet is still 100 feet, with the same resulting voltage drop.
4. Do not ever go below the manufacture's recomendations for size and
length of extension cords.

Take it from those of us who have learned the hard way by breaking one
or more of these rules, and thus burning up our very expensive tools.
Your investment now in the right power equipment will save you $$$$$ in
the future.

Zap

wrote:
Hi everyone,

At the moment, I'm doing side jobs that require the use of a drill and
a chop saw. I recently purchased an 8 amp Milwaukee 1/2 " magnum drill
and I also bought some a couple of 100 feet worth of extension chords
rated at 13 amp. This is adequate for the drilling I have to do
through plywood and 2X4 boards on the forms set up to hold concrete on
home slabs. The reason why I drill through the forms is to install the
post tension cables.

I'm also looking to acquire a 15 amp Milwaukee chop saw for cutting the
rebar pieces that will serve as concrete reinforcement. But what I
need to get first is a generator, because in a few places where I've
been sent to do jobs, the electricians haven't set the poles up and I
have nothing to plug into. I have to end up borrowing someone else's
generator but I need to get one of my own.

I'm looking to get the smallest generator possible because I have space
limitations in my car. I was looking at the Coleman Pulse that has a
maximum of 1850 watts (surge) but I'm not sure if that's enough. I
guess it may be enough for the drill, but it probably won't be enough
for either a circular saw or the chop saw. What would be the minimum
wattage size of a generator to run something like a 15 amp Milwaukee
chop saw or circular saw? I only play on running one thing at a time
from the generator; I won't be running multiple tools simultaneously
off the current.

Since I was planning or intending to pick up the 15 amp chop saw, I was
wondering if the fact that the extension cords I have are rated at 13
amps or lower could present a problem? What I did today was pick up a
100 foot 15 amp extension cord so it matches the amperage on the chop
saw. It was really expensive...at least over $60. Would it be a
problem, from a safety perspective, if I used the 13 amp extension
cords on the 15 amp chow saw?

thanks