Help Me Solve!

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Fiat500

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Hey all,

So, the problem is that I live in a condo community. I have only one car wash area, and it has no power outlets. I purchased the Da power system from meguiars to use on a cordless drill. It worked ok. Not enough rpm from the drill I have, and it took three batteries to do my little car with just wax!

I really want a porter cable but have no where to plug it in. Help :(

Here's my little guy

2egytega.jpg


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If you have no access to power outlet no much you can do really. Can you use a friends garage to do your car?
 
Yeah, I mean that's an option. I just wanted to be able to take my time and not feel like I'm intruding on someone ya know?

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Rent a space. This could include your friends place, but doesn't have to. That way you aren't intruding. You're paying for it.
Any old folks who have a garage near you. Maybe do their car before you do yours.
Talk with one of the drive in car wash places. See if you can make a deal with them.
There are many creative ways to get what you need.
 
You can use nu finish by hand in the full sun with the best results

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I'm not sure. Probably not a good idea lol

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I would think if you ask the condo association they would add a gfi outlet over there. I'm sure people would want it to plug in a vac as well. What about a really or a few really long extension cords?
 
If you exhaust all options, just have it detailed and maintain it from there. Good washing techniques and a good coat of wax/sealant will take you a long way. Your little guy is cute as a bug.
 
I've buffed out a car using an AC/DC converter from the battery. This will work with a PC. I did it years ago and it does/can work. A few caveats:

1. You need a converter that can handle the watts/amps or whatever from a PC. If your interested, I can give you the details of mine

2. You will need to idle the car (a lot) to keep the battery charged fully.

It can be done successfully and realistically - I've done it. But it seems a better option may be a very long extension cord ran out your window or from wherever. You could buy or rent a generator.
 
swanicyouth said:
I've buffed out a car using an AC/DC converter from the battery. This will work with a PC. I did it years ago and it does/can work. A few caveats:

1. You need a converter that can handle the watts/amps or whatever from a PC. If your interested, I can give you the details of mine

2. You will need to idle the car (a lot) to keep the battery charged fully.

It can be done successfully and realistically - I've done it. But it seems a better option may be a very long extension cord ran out your window or from wherever. You could buy or rent a generator.
Click to expand...

I agree - the AC/DC converter seems to be the best option to solve the immediate problem.
 
Some converters can be plugged directly into the cigarette lighter, but if you want something with extra wattage, generally those you have to hook directly up to the battery. If you don't have any experience with hooking directly to the battery you'll need someone who has experience with that... it may also conflict with any vehicle warranty. Just a note.
 
scrubs147 said:
Some converters can be plugged directly into the cigarette lighter, but if you want something with extra wattage, generally those you have to hook directly up to the battery. If you don't have any experience with hooking directly to the battery you'll need someone who has experience with that... it may also conflict with any vehicle warranty. Just a note.
Click to expand...

The battery is buried in a lot of cars today. I did it on my old BMW. I just know BMW has a "+" access port under the hood on the firewall. That is what I used. One thing is, you have to be how the extension cord sits on the car, as it has to come out of the car someplace. I laid a towel where the cord came out from under the hood.
 
swanicyouth said:
The battery is buried in a lot of cars today. I did it on my old BMW. I just know BMW has a "+" access port under the hood on the firewall. That is what I used. One thing is, you have to be how the extension cord sits on the car, as it has to come out of the car someplace. I laid a towel where the cord came out from under the hood.
Click to expand...

Now that's cool, an access port for direct battery hook up.
 
I'm thinking the generator idea is the best option. If i were to get a very small one, with just enough continuous wattage it would be portable enough and quiet enough to use

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Fiat500 said:
I'm thinking the generator idea is the best option. If i were to get a very small one, with just enough continuous wattage it would be portable enough and quiet enough to use

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Click to expand...

Depends on what you call quiet.
 
MPBGT said:
I would think if you ask the condo association they would add a gfi outlet over there. I'm sure people would want it to plug in a vac as well. What about a really or a few really long extension cords?
Click to expand...

I'm thinking along these ideas also.

Bill
 
Fiat500 said:
Hey all,

So, the problem is that I live in a condo community. I have only one car wash area, and it has no power outlets. I purchased the Da power system from meguiars to use on a cordless drill. It worked ok. Not enough rpm from the drill I have, and it took three batteries to do my little car with just wax!

I really want a porter cable but have no where to plug it in. Help :(

Here's my little guy

2egytega.jpg


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...

Great looking car and nice color. Be sure to find a cool and shady spot.
 
Make friends with your local "self serve" car wash owner, and ask him if its Ok to use one of his bay (during off peak hours) and offer to pay for using the electricity. I have yet to see an owner not want a busy looking bay, especially considering that you will be doing unusual work, which brings even more attention. With that option you get access to a power washer (for a fee), shade, and electrical (for a nominal fee).
 
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