Although meant to simplify RV living, inverters can cause plenty of headaches for the uninitiated. Here’s the lowdown on inverters – boiled down to the basics:
A Power Inverter changes 12-volt DC battery power to 120-volt AC power
What is an inverter?
A unit that changes 12-volt DC battery power to 120-volt AC power, an inverter allows you to operate your household appliances – from hair-dryer to hot plate, toaster to television, camera to computer – without an auxiliary generator or shore power.
Considerations
If you’re considering purchasing an inverter, decide how much power you’ll need. The inverter should have an efficiency of at least 80% of your maximum anticipated power level. There are two basic types of inverters:
Modified Sine Waveform (MSW) – Less expensive, these inverters will operate most household items without problems. Some complaints include noise in audio-visual electronics, computer equipment getting hot and reduced power pull in microwave ovens. True Sine Wave – Although higher in cost, these commercial-grade power sources are becoming more common. They produce smooth sine lines when viewed on an oscilloscope and don’t cause the above mentioned issues that come with MSW.
Wattage – MSW inverters are available in various wattage, ranging from 200 watts up to heavy-duty units of 6000 watts. Obviously, the more watts, the more expensive and the more power you’ll pull. Keep in mind that the efficiency of some large inverters decreases when operating small loads.
Installation
If you use an inverter below 400 watts, you can probably simply plug it into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter outlet. Larger inverters often rely on large battery banks. Carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions for wiring, but remember when installing a large inverter, it’s important that the inverter and batteries are in close proximity and that you use heavy-duty wires.
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Tags: 5th wheel travel trailer, batteries, battery, camping, fifth wheel travel trailer, heavy duty wire, motor home, motorhome, power inverter, power source, proximity, recreational vehicle, rv, wattage, watts
