We own EVs. Ask Us Anything.

[cyure]

Question for the electricity experts and ‘nerds’. Since we had really bad storms this weekend and power outages, how does one design an optimal electric chainsaw that could be run via the Scouts. I realize cords aren’t the most desirable on a chainsaw but was thinking other than rotating 6 batteries charging on the tailgate plugged into the vehicle, there has to be a way to have a chainsaw easily run consistently while cutting large trees. Our local Lowe’s sold out of chainsaws and the Home Depot came close. Anyone have any great ideas?

Oh no. Why do you need a chainsaw? What happened?

 

[J Alynn]

Oh no. Why do you need a chainsaw? What happened?

Bad storms. Ours was minimal-hundreds of trees in the county came down, cars and house crushed, lots of downed power lines so minimal work and still have power so can’t complain-but had me wondering about options that could spoil up an electric chainsaw. Just our township had 40 roads closed still today and storm was Saturday night.

 

[maynard]

Bad storms. Ours was minimal-hundreds of trees in the county came down, cars and house crushed, lots of downed power lines so minimal work and still have power so can’t complain-but had me wondering about options that could spoil up an electric chainsaw. Just our township had 40 roads closed still today and storm was Saturday night.

Wow - glad you guys are safe…

 

[cyure]

Bad storms. Ours was minimal-hundreds of trees in the county came down, cars and house crushed, lots of downed power lines so minimal work and still have power so can’t complain-but had me wondering about options that could spoil up an electric chainsaw. Just our township had 40 roads closed still today and storm was Saturday night.

Oh my goodness. So glad you are okay!

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Question for the electricity experts and ‘nerds’. Since we had really bad storms this weekend and power outages, how does one design an optimal electric chainsaw that could be run via the Scouts. I realize cords aren’t the most desirable on a chainsaw but was thinking other than rotating 6 batteries charging on the tailgate plugged into the vehicle, there has to be a way to have a chainsaw easily run consistently while cutting large trees. Our local Lowe’s sold out of chainsaws and the Home Depot came close. Anyone have any great ideas?

I’ve been a Stihl and Husqvarna saw owner for nearly 50 years. I have not needed to cut more than a few branches and a couple of small trees in the past five or so years. I have a suspicion that my partner will ask that we install a wood stove for the ambiance sometime in the next year or two.

If that happens, I’ll sell my Stihl MS 391 and get an MSA 300 and a couple of spare batteries. The charging specs on the Stihl batteries are that they’ll return to 80% within 10 minutes, and I believe that’s accurate. The regular sized battery will run the saw for 20-30 minutes at close to 100% duty cycle. A backpack battery could last an hour or more. Half an hour is about all I would get out of a tank of gas anyway, and the lubrication will need to be refilled by then too. With three batteries at 100% at the start of my day, I’m unlikely to run out of charge if they’re recharging from the truck while I’m working. And the lower NVH from the electric would make it a much easier day.

I have a 12” DeWalt electric chainsaw that I use for limbing and etc. It’s almost dangerously easy to use. And I can get at least 30-45 minutes out of a single battery while I’m up in a tree. Since I have a pile of DeWalt tools and batteries, it’s my go-to chainsaw for anything other than felling a large tree.

I usually run a 20” bar on my 391. Stihl claims it can handle a 25” bar, but it bogs down and isn’t any fun at that size.

The MSA 300 (electrict) is rated for a 20” bar. Given the much higher torque at 0 RPM an electric motor has, I suspect it’s fully capable of bucking up a 40-inch diameter tree easily, and larger if you know what you’re doing. I’m itching for an excuse to swap to electric.

 

[J Alynn]

I’ve been a Stihl and Husqvarna saw owner for nearly 50 years. I have not needed to cut more than a few branches and a couple of small trees in the past five or so years. I have a suspicion that my partner will ask that we install a wood stove for the ambiance sometime in the next year or two.

If that happens, I’ll sell my Stihl MS 391 and get an MSA 300 and a couple of spare batteries. The charging specs on the Stihl batteries are that they’ll return to 80% within 10 minutes, and I believe that’s accurate. The regular sized battery will run the saw for 20-30 minutes at close to 100% duty cycle. A backpack battery could last an hour or more. Half an hour is about all I would get out of a tank of gas anyway, and the lubrication will need to be refilled by then too. With three batteries at 100% at the start of my day, I’m unlikely to run out of charge if they’re recharging from the truck while I’m working. And the lower NVH from the electric would make it a much easier day.

I have a 12” DeWalt electric chainsaw that I use for limbing and etc. It’s almost dangerously easy to use. And I can get at least 30-45 minutes out of a single battery while I’m up in a tree. Since I have a pile of DeWalt tools and batteries, it’s my go-to chainsaw for anything other than felling a large tree.

I usually run a 20” bar on my 391. Stihl claims it can handle a 25” bar, but it bogs down and isn’t any fun at that size.

The MSA 300 (electrict) is rated for a 20” bar. Given the much higher torque at 0 RPM an electric motor has, I suspect it’s fully capable of bucking up a 40-inch diameter tree easily, and larger if you know what you’re doing. I’m itching for an excuse to swap to electric.

Never realized the batteries would last that long. Misperception as I assumed gas would give more power than a battery due to assumed battery rundown. Thanks for your insight as usual