What size inverter do I need for my Campervan/Motorhome/Boat
An inverter is a device that converts direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity. DC electricity is the type of electricity that is produced by batteries and solar panels, while AC electricity is the type of electricity that is used by most household appliances and devices.
Inverters work by taking the DC electricity from a battery or solar panel and converting it into AC electricity using a process called rectification. This involves using a series of diodes to convert the DC electricity into a pulsing direct current, which is then passed through a transformer to convert it into AC electricity. The AC electricity produced by the inverter can then be used to power household appliances and devices.
Inverters are an important component of renewable energy systems, such as solar power systems, because they allow the DC electricity produced by solar panels to be used to power household appliances and devices. They are also used in backup power systems, where they can provide a source of AC electricity in the event of a power outage.
Inverters come in a wide range of sizes with varying abilities. To understand which size inverter you require, you will need to work out the wattage to match your requirements. To do this you will need to add up the wattage of each 230V appliance you will want to use campervan and find out their rated power draw. Usually the item manual will provide the wattage draw.
It’s likely you’ll want to use more than one appliance at a time, therefore it is important to factor the total wattage into your inverter calculations.
Example:
If you have a laptop which is 50W, a tv which is 60W and a coffee machine which is 1500W then your max power usage would be 1610W
Once you’ve added up the total appliance wattage, add 25%. This will tell you the minimum size inverter you’ll require. In this case a 2000w inverter such as the Victron Phoenix 2000VA would be appropriate. It is important to note that (Victron Energy rate their inverters in Volt Amps (VA).)
Selecting the correct battery capacity for your inverter is also important. If you have a battery bank that is too small for your inverter, the bank will drain quickly, and the batteries may not be able to power the inverter appropriately.