![]() Peak, also known as surge power, is the amount of energy your appliance needs to start. ![]() #5 – Power and Surge Ratings of AppliancesĪn RV inverter needs to supply two types of power. #4 – Amp-HoursĪmp-hours is the main measure of 12-volt battery capacity and will determine how long you will have power the inverter can use to run your RV 120-volt appliances. I know that in my RV I will blow my 30-amp circuit if I start the microwave while running my air conditioner because that will push me over my 30-amp allotment. You also need to know your amps so you know what appliances you can run simultaneously. Wires that are too small for the amps running through them will get hot and can also experience drops in voltage. #3 – AmpsĪn amp is a measure of electrical current at the moment of use.įor RVers, knowing your appliance amps is essential because it determines what size electrical wire you need, especially on the DC side of your inverter. For example, if you use a 60-watt lightbulb for eight hours a day, you use 48 watt-hours. #2 – Watt-HoursĪ watt-hour (or kilowatt hour) is how many watts times how many hours that device is running. For example, a toaster that draws ten amps at 12 volts uses 120 watts. If a device uses 100 watts, that number is the voltage times the amps. Watts are a measurement of how much power a device uses or supplies when on. I will quickly explain the importance of each factor to help you better understand your specific RV power needs so you can purchase and install the correct RV inverter. In simple terms, you need to find your RV wattage and surge power needs then choose an inverter that can handle it. ![]() It’s not so bad once you understand the basics of RV inverters. Power output from your batteries is a primary factor during the selection process, but so is watts, watt-hours, amps, amp-hours, and surge ratings. There is no one-size-fits-all inverter for all RVs. You need to understand your RV power needs and the input voltage, output voltage, and the frequency you run your appliances when you don’t use shore power.Įvery device inside your RV will pull a specific amount of voltage, so you need to install an inverter that can safely handle the load. So how do you know how to select the correct inverter for your RV? But for those RVers who love to boondock and still want to use the microwave or run the air conditioner, the only way to accomplish this is with the right RV inverter and enough batteries to handle your power demands.įor RVers who rely on a bank of batteries to store solar power, the inverter becomes an even more vital component to keep your RV functioning properly.Įvery RV will need different amounts of power to run air conditioners, appliances, and electronic devices like computers, TVs, and radios. If you plan only to camp where you know you’ll always plug into shore power, you won’t need an inverter in your RV. Inverters take the 12-volt from the RV batteries and change it to 120-volt AC power to run your RV appliances and devices.Īll RVs utilize a 12-volt system so you can have at least a minimum of power when you are camping off-grid to run lights, ignite your water heater, and run your refrigerator control panel. While doing my initial research into fulltime RV life, I heard the terms “ converter” and “inverter” but never paid much attention to them.Ī converter changes 120-volt AC power from a campground power pedestal to 12-volt DC to supply power to the RV’s 12v circuits and to charge up the RV’s batteries.Īn inverter does the opposite.
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