StirCrazy
Kamloops, BC, Canada
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Ok so building another battery and I am wondering what the smallest size inverter people would run in a camper.
I am thinking if I get a 1500 watt inverter and if I decide to put a microwave in at some point then get a smaller 700 watt one. is a 1500 watt inverter practicle for most normal stuff?
the reason I am looking at that size is that is about a 125 amp draw so I can go with a 150 amp BMS and not be running flat out.
Steve
* This post was
edited 10/03/22 06:31pm by StirCrazy *
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joebedford
Home for the summer.
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I have a 300 watt inverter for my TVs, stereo and phone charging. I wouldn't go any smaller.
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larry barnhart
wenatchee. wa usa
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We had a 2000 watt inverter in our 2001 Alpenlite with 4 batteries. I would not want less than 2000 watts. chevman
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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1800 watts for single hi draw items such as an induction hob.
300 watts for tv, computers, and cell phone charging.
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.
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time2roll
Southern California
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For small items I recommend 300w. For large items 2000w.
I went with two batteries and 2x 120a BMS. Or consider 200a BMS.
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wa8yxm
Davison Michigan (East of Flint)
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As they said 300 watts for Entainerment/computer only
1500 is the absolute minimum for a Microwave I'd go with 2,000
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jaycocreek
Idaho
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StirCrazy wrote:Ok so building another battery and I am wondering what the smallest size inverter people would run in a camper.
I am thinking if I get a 1500 watt inverter and if I decide to put a microwave in at some point then get a smaller 700 watt one. is a 1500 watt inverter proacticle for most normal stuff?
the reason I am looking at that siaze is that is about a 125 amp draw so I can go with a 150 amp BMS and not be running flat out.
Steve
I did just that..I just can't get past the idea of spending more than an inverter generator on a decent/known 2k inverter with a 2 yr warranty..I originally was only going to use one 100ah LFP battery in my TC and a 100 amp BMS would be just fine..Now I have two in parallel.
I have a 300 watt Giandel I run most small stuff on like the TV/DVD charging phones and fans..I was looking for a 1500ish PSW in my budget at the time and ran across a Walmart closeout of a Wagan 1500 MSW for $55 so I scooped it up..Still wanting a larger than 300 watt PSW I found a Wagan 1K PSW for a little over $200 so I bought it and couldn't be happier..
It runs my old dial microwave just fine as does the Wagan 1500 MSW/the coffee maker/Instapot/toaster oven and one burner electric cooker..If I need more than 1K I have the 1500 MSW and if I need more than that,I have inverter generators..LOL
I just can't pull the plug on a $300 inverter when I could buy an good Wen inverter gen for close to the same money..With coffee makers/microwaves/toasters and stuff being less than $100,I buy the low watt ones..
Works for me..LOL
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joebedford
Home for the summer.
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I forgot to mention that while a 300w inverter is fine for low current stuff, we have a built-in Onan 5500w for the high current stuff.
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Lwiddis
Southern California :(
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Piano's suggestion of two inverters is a good one. One for high draw items such as microwaves and a 300 watt or so for TV etc.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad
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ktmrfs
Portland, Oregon
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StirCrazy wrote:Ok so building another battery and I am wondering what the smallest size inverter people would run in a camper.
I am thinking if I get a 1500 watt inverter and if I decide to put a microwave in at some point then get a smaller 700 watt one. is a 1500 watt inverter proacticle for most normal stuff?
the reason I am looking at that siaze is that is about a 125 amp draw so I can go with a 150 amp BMS and not be running flat out.
Steve
depends a lot on what you want to run. If it's only a TV or other low draw appliances, 300-500 or even less may be adeqate
Want to run a microwave, 1000W is enough........ ok the flames will begin with "can't run a microwave on a 1000W inverter". Well stop by, I've done it for 8 years now, easy peasy. All it takes is a panasonic true inverter microwave, run it at 50% power and that's what it draws, non of the 100% 0% 100% stuff. And at 50% it doesn't take twice as long, maybe 50% longer. BTW panasonic makes a true inverter microwave that is a drop in fit for the vast majority of RV microwaves, and it's a much better microwave overall than the typical RV microwave and a decent price.
And along with that, we run a 800W Keuring coffee maker on occasion, (the one you often see in hotel rooms) and we have a travel hair dryer with a 750W and 1200W setting, stick with the 750 W when on battery power.
Now if you want to go whole hog, 1500-2000W will cover most anything assuming you can put in a battery bank, wiring, and inverter location to support the 4/0 cabling.
2011 Keystone Outback 295RE
2004 14' bikehauler with full living quarters
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2004.5 Silverado 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison passed on to our Son!
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