what size inverter to run circular saw

A Circular Miter Saw- What Size Inverter Do We Need to Operate It?

One of the most tempting things about being a professional carpenter is that you can create innovative designs with wood. And the most faithful companion that you will get in this job is a good circular miter saw with satisfying power wattage.

Now, when you work on an outdoor project, powering up your circular saw with the mains electricity will not always be possible. Sometimes, you might have to bring out your desired power from car batteries or solar panels.

This is where a power inverter comes in handy. What size inverter to run circular saw? If you are still confused about its use, read the rest of the article for a better understanding.

What Is an Inverter?

What is a power inverter? How does it work and help to function as a circular saw? A circular saw requires an AC source voltage to provide the motor with enough torque to rotate the blades, i.e., connecting the saw to the mains electricity.

Apart from the mains electricity, you can get the AC source from your car batteries or solar panels. A power inverter consists of four diodes in the configuration of its electronic circuits, which converts a DC source to an AC source.

Additionally, a carpenter usually encounters two types of inverters- a pure sine wave inverter or a modified sine wave inverter. When it comes to cost analysis, a modified sine wave inverter would be a cheaper choice.

But, in the case of power transfer and efficiency, a pure sine wave inverter is a gem. After our intensive research, we have found out that pure sine wave power inverters are best for operating circular saws.

A little push on the budget will not kill you!

General Power Rating of a Circular Saw

After checking all the power ratings of circular saws in Amazon, we have found that a power wattage in the range of 1000 to 1500 watts is the most suitable for carpenters.

As the power flow is sinusoidal, you will observe a rise in the peak during the startup position of the miter saw. Therefore, a circular saw of 1500 wattage will have a startup peak of 3000 watts.

On top of that, you can always check the power rating using a wattmeter. Additionally, some circular saws come with a reading display on top to show the power consumption during the operation.

Normally, you will find the operating power is slightly less than the rated power, and the tolerance level is 1 per cent. The reason behind this tolerance is due to the internal circuits of the saws, which consume some amount of energy.

Size Of an Inverter Required to Run a Circular Saw

From the car battery to the circular saw, the whole system loses power as it consists of two sub-systems- the car battery to the inverter and the inverter to the circular saw.

As we travel from one sub-system to another, it accounts for the loss of energy. To get the desired amount of power output at the circular saw, you need to account for a greater power rating of the inverter compared to that of the circular saw.

Hence, an inverter with 20 per cent greater wattage than a circular saw will do the trick. So, if you pick a saw of 1500 watts, you will need an inverter of 1800 watts. If you want to round this value to the nearest thousands, the value switches to 2000 watts.

Maintenance Of the Circular Saw and The Inverter

A topnotch inverter and a circular saw are not always enough to maintain a fine wood cutting performance by a carpenter. There are certain maintenance tips to follow which will ensure the highest efficiency in your work.

Keep Your Saw Clean

A clean circular saw ensures smooth energy conversion during the cutting process, and this leads to low energy loss and less time required to finish the job.

Firstly, you should regularly clean the blades so that no rust can form and no debris can make the blades blunt. Then, apply suitable lubricants on the blades to reduce friction, and low friction accounts for low mechanical force from the carpenter.

Lastly, always keep an eye on the power output reading. If your saw is not giving the desired output, consult with an expert or diagnose the internal circuits yourself.

Proper Ventilation

During prolonged working hours, there is a greater possibility that your circular saw and inverter will overheat themselves and the environment. Therefore, letting them cool down during a scheduled break is an excellent practice.

Furthermore, if these electrical appliances overheat, it will damage the internal circuits, which will decrease the longevity of these products. When you are working outdoors, you do not have to worry about ventilation.

But indoor carpentry with a circular saw and power inverter might need suitable exhaust fans installation to decrease the suffocation of the carpenter.

Runtime Of the Inverter and The Saw

This factor naturally depends on the DC power source. For example, if you are using car batteries to run the inverter to operate your circular saw, you must continuously keep your car engine on.

Do not make a mistake by turning the engine off, as this might result in reverse power flow, which can damage the inverter. Additionally, most car batteries are rated as 150 or 200 Ah. If the circular saw operates at 100 amperes current, then you can run your circular saw for a maximum of 2 hours.

We think the number is satisfactory because you do not need to power your circular saw continuously. You can give it a break after 5 – 10 minutes of cutting and allow it to cool down as well.

Car Batteries or The Solar Panel- Which Is Better?

Car batteries will work as a power source for the inverter to an extent because working for a prolonged time will eventually decrease the capacitance of the batteries, and they will require charging for a long time.

On the other hand, solar panels will be more efficient if you have a satisfying sunny weather conditions in your house. The solar panels require charging for a long time as well. But, once they are fully charged, they will supply you with sufficient energy for the whole day.

Regarding portability, car batteries have a more significant advantage as they are more suitable for outdoor projects. Nowadays, the most building comes with installed solar panels on the rooftop.

Therefore, we can assume most carpenters will be the owner of both the DC power source for their carpentry work.

Cordless Circular Saws

If you think an external DC source is a hassle, you can always shift to cordless circular saws, which use a rechargeable battery to power the appliance.

This will also lead you not to buy an inverter after all. But the power wattage may not be satisfying at all. In conclusion, cordless saws are best suited for low-scale household chores such as building a playhouse for your children.

Best Power Inverters for Functioning Circular Saw

Now that you know what size inverter to run circular saw, it is time to look at some best models of power inverters that are suitable for your carpentry task. Point to be noted, all the inverters mentioned below come with a power rating of 200 watts.

Therefore, if you have a 1500 watts circular saw, do not hesitate to choose any inverter from below:

  1. SL Euthtion 2000W Pure Sine Wave
  2. BESTEK 2000W Pure Sine Wave
  3. Renogy 2000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter
  4. AIMS Industrial 2000-Watt Inverter

Frequently Asked Questions


What Is the Maximum Power Rating of an Inverter to Run Circular Saws?

Based on the wattage of the circular miter saw, the power rating of an inverter should be at least 20 per cent greater than the miter saw. For example, if you have 1500 watts circular saw, you will need a 2000 watts inverter to bridge the connection.

How Many Batteries Do I Need to Power a 2000 Watts Inverter?

A 2000 watts inverter normally needs two Lead Acid batteries to account for the desired power rating of the inverter.

What Is the Battery Backup With a 2000 Watts Inverter?

Suppose your lead-acid batteries provide you with 12 volts of voltage. Then, running the inverter with two batteries will give you a battery backup of 1.5 hours.

Is It Necessary to Turn on the Inverter All the Time?

If you are using the battery as a DC source, then turning on the inverter is mandatory to maintain continuous power flow in the system. Otherwise, the battery will go through self-discharge mode.

On the other hand, if you are using car batteries, do not forget to turn the inverter off before shutting down the engine. This is necessary so that the inverter is not damaged during the operation.

Does an Inverter Discharge the Car Batteries?

No, an inverter cannot discharge car batteries unless the engine is turned off or there is not sufficient fuel to keep the engine turned on.

What Are the Types of Losses Take Place Inside an Inverter?

Due to internal circuits, an inverter consists of two types of losses: conduction loss and switching loss.

Conclusion

Setting up an inverter between a DC power source and your circular is an excellent counter to the lack of supply of mains electricity. What size inverter to run circular saw? The goal is to account for a bigger wattage to gain high efficiency.

After reading this article, you will be able to maintain both your inverter and circular saw. Moreover, you will feel like an engineer as well. We hope this guideline was helpful to you.

Have fun in your carpentry works!

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