Why do I need an inverter?

What is the purpose of an inverter?

An inverter transforms DC electrical power into AC 230V mains power. This allows you to run household appliances from your battery bank. ENERDRIVE | DOMETIC inverters are available in range of wattage outputs from 400W all the way up to 3500W. Having access to AC power in your off grid setup provides you with the option to run a wide variety of household appliances, including induction cook tops, microwaves, air conditioners, air fryers, CPAP machines, laptop chargers, and more.

What are the advantages of running an inverter?

One of the key advantages of using an inverter is that you no longer need to rely on a generator to provide AC power when you are off grid. This can save you space and weight, as you no longer need to carry a generator and its fuel. Unlike generators, inverters are nearly silent in operation and can be used in places where generators are prohibited, such as national parks, anchorages, and caravan parks.

Where are the limitations of an inverter?

The primary limitation of your inverter will be your battery bank. While inverters can be run from batteries of any chemistry, they work best when paired with a lithium battery. This is because lithium batteries excel at supplying high current loads, such as air fryers and induction cook tops, while maintaining their voltage. Under similar circumstances, an AGM or lead-acid battery will steadily decrease in voltage as it is discharged. This decrease in voltage will cause the inverter to draw even more current and may trigger low voltage alarms on the inverter. The size of your battery bank will also be a key limitation. AC appliances can be very power hungry and may drain your batteries quickly. For more information on AC power usage, click here.

Though inverters are highly efficient, there will always be some power lost to heat during the conversion from DC to AC power. The inverter itself will also consume a small amount of power while operating, even when there are no loads connected to it. These power losses mean that it is always best to run DC appliances where possible (such as running a DC fridge instead of a household AC fridge) and to turn off your inverter when not in use.

For more information on inverters, check out our transfer inverter video series here.