Many power tools require a lot of electricity while they are being used. This can be difficult to manage with an off-grid solar panel and battery setup, especially when the sun has gone down for the evening. The best time to use a power tool that plugs into an electrical socket would be during the day when the solar panels are in full sun, but this isn't always the most convenient time to use.
I have been using cordless power tools that have a standard 20 volt battery system. Any 20 volt battery pack with this system can be used to power any of the compatible tools. In the picture above you can see the lawn trimmer. The lawn trimmer is useful for trimming the vegetation growth in places where my lawn tractor can't go.
Use power tools when you Need them.
The 20 volt battery packs can be conveniently charged during full sun using an inverter - when there is ample power. Then the charged battery pack and tool can be used whenever it's needed - without worry of draining the off-grid system battery bank or turning on a gas generator.
This 20 volt cordless power tool system has high power chargers available. The low power 20 volt battery trickle charger that comes standard takes about 12 hours to fully charge the bigger batteries - this charger takes too long to charge for the limited hours of solar panel prime time. With the fast charger I purchased, it only takes 1 hour to fully charge the bigger 20 volt batteries - a much better charging pace for a solar panel system.
Mini Chainsaw for Tree Trims
The mini chainsaw power tool has been a landscaping blessing. It quickly cuts through almost any branch smaller than 4 inches diameter. It also chainsaws through dead trees and soft wood easily.
Hard wood is a bit tougher, but you can see from the picture above that this chainsaw will eventually cut through. I would only be able to cut 3 or 4 hard wood logs of that size with one large fully charged 20 volt battery. I only have a half acre forested, so I won't be firewood harvesting. If I was harvesting firewood, a gas chainsaw would be more appropriate.
Cleaner Cuts with a Circular Saw
If you need clean wood cuts for a building or other project, a circular saw is often the best option.
Power Drill
The power drill is one of the most used household and construction power tools. Drill holes of all sizes, drive screws, and tighten bolts. A lot faster than a screw driver or socket wrench, much easier too.
Let there be Light
Flashlights are very useful anytime the sun goes down at night. We have three flashlight attachments, one for each of us. Flashlights can be helpful when fixing or working in dark locations. I also use the flashlight as a lamp if I don't want to draw off the main battery bank at night.
Mini Air Compressor
I purchased this mini air compressor to keep my bicycle, lawn tractor, and car tires full. It takes much less power than a full air compressor, and runs on the 20 volt battery, household plug-in, or car accessories 12 volt plug-in. This mini air compressor would also be useful for inflating air mattresses, sports balls, and water recreation floatables.
High Wattage Power Tools?
Sometimes you need more power than a 20 volt battery power tool system can offer.
The large air compressor pictured above is very useful, but sometimes it can be too much for an off-grid solar power system to handle. A great way to take a load off the off-grid solar power setup is by using a gasoline generator to plug the high power tools into - see the picture below.
I've found this cordless power tool system and gasoline generator very useful for lightening the load on the off-grid solar power setup.
You may find these previous posts useful:
@jackdub/back-acres-how-to-pull-start-a-small-engine
@jackdub/my-solar-powered-cabin-setup