When you don’t need your RV inverter, you should turn it off to avoid draining your batteries. There are many situations where you’d want to leave your RV inverter on for long periods, but you don’t want to use it 24/7. When you need power for your RV, you can turn on your RV inverter Should I Leave My RV Inverter On All the Time? They’re quieter and more reliable electricity than modified sine waves. New TVs, sensitive devices, appliances with AC motors (like your fridge), and any other device will work great with a pure sine wave inverter. These kinds of RV inverters should only be used for older or simpler electronics, like old TVs.Ī pure sine wave inverter is more expensive but is better in just about every other way. Especially if you have sensitive medical equipment, such as a CPAP machine, make sure to avoid modified sine wave inverters. The abrupt changes of a modified sine wave can cause damage to sensitive electronics. A modified sine wave RV inverter will be cheaper, but it’s also not as effective or efficient. This creates a stair-step pattern, unlike the smooth S curve of a pure sine wave. So, it goes from positive, then abruptly to neutral, then abruptly to negative. Rather than smoothly moving between these three points, it moves abruptly. The current moves smoothly and evenly between these three points, creating the clean S curve of “natural” AC power.Ī modified sine wave RV inverter works a little differently. You can think of the high point as positive, the middle line as neutral, and the bottom as negative. Pure Sine Wave Versus Modified Sine WaveĪ pure sine wave RV inverter outputs current in a sine wave pattern, just like normal AC power. You can also calculate amps or volts if you need them. Watts / Volts = Amps Watts / Amps = Volts So, for example, if a device tells you it needs 4 amps and 120 volts, then you can calculate that you need 480 watts. If you multiply together your volts and your amps, you’ll get your watts. Volts are a number followed by a V, and amps are given as numbers followed by an A. Even when watts aren’t listed, you’ll usually still find volts and amps listed. How to Calculate Wattsīut what if you can’t find the wattage of your devices listed anywhere? Thankfully, it’s fairly simple to calculate wattages.īesides watts, there are two other main electrical measurements: volts and amps. So whatever your power needs, you can find the right inverter. Thankfully, RV inverters rated for 5000w or more are available. This is just illustrative, and you’ll probably want to use more devices than this, and need a larger inverter as a result. Inverter wattages generally go up by a minimum of 100w at a time, so in this case, you’d want a 400w RV inverter. So, let’s add 20% to our 300w, which gives us 360w. For example, the surge power when turning on devices like microwaves and heaters. This helps your system deal with any increases or surges without being damaged. Once you’ve added up the wattages, it’s also recommended to add 10% to 20% on top of that. So, let’s say you want to power a computer that pulls 230w, and a TV that pulls 70w. For example, if you look at your laptop’s power brick, you’ll probably see a wattage rating given as a number followed by a “W.” If you don’t find the wattage on the device or its power supply, check the owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s website. The Difference Between an RV Converter and an RV Inverter?Ī device will commonly list its wattage on a label somewhere on the device or its power supply. Inverters aren’t quite as essential, but if you want to power devices like coffee makers or TVs using your batteries, you’ll be glad you have one. If you don’t have one, it’s highly recommended. ![]() With an inverter, you can put that power to use for all your devices, not just those that use DC power.Īll RVs will have a converter installed. If you’re going to invest in electric systems like these, you’ll want to get the most out of all that extra power. ![]() Without an inverter, you’ll only be able to power these when you have access to shore power, or with a generator.Īn inverter is also a good idea if you have a large battery bank, and/or a solar power system. ![]() This includes things like TVs, coffee makers, microwaves, refrigerators, and other common electronics. Inverters are extremely useful, and there’s a good chance you’d benefit from one.Īn inverter will let you use your batteries to power devices that only run on AC power. Higher-end RVs in the Remote Period of the Modern Era (2020-Present) include inverters due to all of the electrical devices that come with them. Inverters aren’t usually standard equipment.
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