Inverters
- Thread starter jed
- Start date
I don't know much about inverters, but you will need specify what it is you want to run on 240v so that the advice is accurate for you needs.
@jed I would not consider toasters and kettles to be small stuff when it comes to inverters. These items can be in the 700 - 1200 Watts range. At 100% efficiency a 1200W item will draw 100A from your 12V supply, and therefore 100Ahrs would only last an hour. So you will need to list all items that you want to run, determine which ones you want to run at the same time and find out the Wattage. The last point is not as easy as looking on the item as it will depend how accurate that is. Is should be the worst case for the item, so measuring load may be helpful. For all the items you want to run at the same time you will need to add the wattage together for each combination of running the appliances. Then from the individual values and the combined values you need to pick the highest value. (example running laptop (50W) and toaster (950W) together and laptop(50W) and kettle (1150W) inverter would need to be 1200W).
Once you have this value then you can size the inverter. There is a thread on here that posted the current drain of appliances.
Then pick the inverter that will supply your needs.
3 other issues exist and depend on the items that you want to run:
Inverter waveform quality: 240V AC uses a sinewave; however inverters (and generators for that matter) may not produce a sinewave output. This may damage some electrical items (toaster does not care) electrical / electronic components do and the noise may be transfered to other items like tv reception.
Peak loads: Electrical and electronic equipment may have peak loading (at start up for example) and this needs to be factored in. Note that some inverters may quote peak loading and provide a time period for which the inverter is able to cope with the peak.
Power Factor: Electrical AC items run at a specific power factor were the current drawn does not match the power used. Most items run at 1 (toasters, etc) however some do not (motors). For those that do not run at 1 the inverter will be supplying additional current over and above the power consumed. This means that you would need to over rate the inverter to combensate and the inverter would need to be rated to handle power factor. In most cases I would say that this is not an issue with appliances in the caravan other than aircon and 240V compressor fridges.
Hope I have not raved on too much ...
Once you have this value then you can size the inverter. There is a thread on here that posted the current drain of appliances.
Then pick the inverter that will supply your needs.
3 other issues exist and depend on the items that you want to run:
Inverter waveform quality: 240V AC uses a sinewave; however inverters (and generators for that matter) may not produce a sinewave output. This may damage some electrical items (toaster does not care) electrical / electronic components do and the noise may be transfered to other items like tv reception.
Peak loads: Electrical and electronic equipment may have peak loading (at start up for example) and this needs to be factored in. Note that some inverters may quote peak loading and provide a time period for which the inverter is able to cope with the peak.
Power Factor: Electrical AC items run at a specific power factor were the current drawn does not match the power used. Most items run at 1 (toasters, etc) however some do not (motors). For those that do not run at 1 the inverter will be supplying additional current over and above the power consumed. This means that you would need to over rate the inverter to combensate and the inverter would need to be rated to handle power factor. In most cases I would say that this is not an issue with appliances in the caravan other than aircon and 240V compressor fridges.
Hope I have not raved on too much ...
All good info Millers.
Rather than run 240v for toaster and kettle, better free camp alternatives are;
For toast you can get a rack that sits above one of the gas burners of the stove.
For kettle, go old school, and get a stove top one.
You should have plenty of gas to run these for as long as you would feasibly free camp.
Rather than run 240v for toaster and kettle, better free camp alternatives are;
For toast you can get a rack that sits above one of the gas burners of the stove.
For kettle, go old school, and get a stove top one.
You should have plenty of gas to run these for as long as you would feasibly free camp.
You're welcome. Stoves and kettles at BigW or camping stores.Hi guys
Thanks for the excellant information it sure covered everything i needed to know . I think I'll go out tomorrow and buy the toaster thing and stove top kettle lol ,Im glad I asked the question you just saved me a lot of money
Thanks again guys
Toasters are Coleman Brand or a copy of same. Pack flat.
Look for kettle that can travel in your sink, ready for a cuppa on the road. We've got 2 litre one with folding handle.
Thanks Xpandafan ,found both items at Anaconda got the kettle ,$24.99 2.5lt folding handle as well .
Not sure about the "pure" and Mrs XF has just ruled out "genius".
Don't reckon i'd make much of a Post Master, either.
It's amazing what can be communicated with a roll of the eyes...