RV living has become a popular lifestyle among most Americans. From offering flexibility and much-needed freedom, more and more people are embracing it. One hindrance of RV living is powering all your devices and appliances. While you can install solar panels, using solar energy requires conversion and storage.
This is where RV inverters come into play. They convert DC to AC power, compatible with most devices. This article looks at how you can choose the right RV inverter.
What is an Inverter?
An inverter is an electronic device that converts direct current (DC) power into alternating current (AC). inverters are used in a wide array of applications such as commercial, residential, and renewable energy power systems.
Ideally, an investor's primary role is to convert direct current from solar panels, batteries, and other sources of power into AC. AC (120V or 230V) is the current that most electronic devices such as refrigerators and washing machines use. It is more stable compared to DC.
So, when using an inverter for your RV, it will convert DC current produced by your solar panels or batteries into AC. You can then connect your appliances. However, you don’t need an inverter when you connect your RV to the shore power since the electricity is from the power grid.
How Does an Inverter Work?
An inverter works in three stages: inversion, Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), and output filtering.
Inversion
The first process is inverting the DC current into AC current. When you connect your solar panels to the inverter, the built-in circuits use insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) or metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) to start the conversion. They will switch on and off in a uniform sequence, modulating the DC current to produce an AC waveform.
Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)
The MOSFET and IGBT switches are controlled by Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). It controls the duration of the switch-on time within each period of the AC waveform. This allows the inverter to control the frequency and magnitude of the output AC signal.
Output Filtering
The resulting AC signal is not always stable. It may contain fluctuations. It is therefore passed through an output filter to smooth out the harmonic distortions. This provides a clean sinusoidal waveform that resembles the AC power used by most electronics.
Types of Inverters
There are three types of inverters you can use in an RV: modified sine wave, square wave, and sine wave.
Modified Sine Wave Inverters
Modified sine wave somewhat resembles a square wave. However, the modified sine wave has an extra step in its waveform. While modified sine wave inverters work with most equipment, its efficiency might be reduced in some applications. You might notice more power consumption when running pumps, fans, and refrigerator motors.
This is because the modified sine wave has higher frequencies, which the motors cannot use. In addition, some light bulbs might not be as bright as they ought to be. The same case applies to digital clocks. They will not operate efficiently.
This is because the modified sine wave is rougher and noisier. It does not produce the 60Hz frequency that most electronics use. As such, timers may not work properly. Modified sine wave inverters can be used in speed drills, old tube TVs, and similar applications.
Square Wave Inverters
While a rarity, square wave inverters can be used in simple applications. They are the cheapest inverters but are seldom seen in everyday applications. Furthermore, they produce a rougher waveform than sine wave inverters. So, if you have appliances that are not sensitive to power fluctuations, you can install a square wave inverter in your RV.
Pure Sine Wave Inverters
A pure sine wave inverter is the most efficient and safest of the three options. It produces AC power that resembles that which is used by appliances. The voltage rises and falls smoothly with a changing frequency. It then changes the polarity when it crosses 0 volts. This allows it to produce cleaner current than that which utility companies produce.
Pure sine wave inverters are ideal for all household appliances such as TVs, digital microwaves, fridges, laptops, medical equipment, and more. The electricity is quieter, smoother, cleaner, and more reliable.
BLUETTI has many pure sine wave inverters you can choose from. Here are three models:
BLUETTI AC500 + B300S | Home Battery Backup
The BLUETTI AC500 is equipped with a 5000W pure sine inverter, allowing you to use all appliances in your RV with ease. The inverter can handle up to 10000W surge, meaning you can plug in your refrigerator or other large appliances. And thanks to its 3,072Wh capacity, you can power your RV through the night on a single charge. But that’s not all, you can expand its capacity to 18,432Wh so you can recharge it at least once a week.
Like other RV inverters, it is compact and lightweight, affording you installation flexibility. Whether you want to install it under your bed or behind the driver’s seat, this inverter got you sorted. With exceptional thermal insulation and a battery management system, you can use it in hot or cold conditions.
This model allows you to recharge it using 6 different ways. They range from AC charging, car cigarette lighter, to solar charging.
BLUETTI AC300 Inverter Module Generator
Another option for your RV is the AC300 inverter module generator. The device is equipped with a 3,000W AC pure sine wave inverter. It also has a 6,000W surge rating ideal for larger appliances. Thanks to the many output ports, you can plug in different devices simultaneously.
And since its capacity is expandable to 12,288Wh, you can use a single charge for many days. This allows you to enjoy off the grid living during any time of the year. Luckily, there are many ways to recharge it. You can use a lead acid battery, solar panels, a generator, or your car. This affords you much-needed charging flexibility and convenience.
Like other BLUETTI inverters, it is compact, lightweight, and easy to install. Furthermore, it is equipped with LiFePO4 batteries, meaning you can use it for 10 years, while offering you exceptional performance.
BLUETTI AC200MAX + 1*B230 | Home Battery Backup
If your energy needs are not many, the AC200MAX can be an ideal option. It comes with a 2,200W AC pure sine wave inverter with a 4,800W surge rating. This rating is ideal for small to medium-sized appliances. It also has a 2,048Wh capacity that can last for a night if not a day.
The AC200MAX is expandable to 8,192Wh ideal when you need ample electricity in your RV. And should it run out of power, you can recharge it using solar panels, a generator, lead-acid battery, or an AC outlet, to mention but a few.
This model is compact, lightweight, and easy to use. With the Smart Control feature, you can monitor how the inverter is performing.
How to Choose The Right Inverter Size for RV?
To identify the right inverter size for your RV, you need to identify the average power consumption. List all devices you’ll be using in your RV. Think of your laptop, gaming console, coffee maker, and mini refrigerator.
List their power consumption in watts. Thankfully, this information is on the appliances’ labels. If it is not in watts, you can convert using the following formula:
Volts (V) x Amps (A) = Watts (W)
Next, identify the starting power of your large appliances. Starting power is also defined as surge power. This is the initial power an appliance needs to start. List all starting power requirements.
Now, add up the power requirements of your appliances. Do not forget to add the surge power too. Finally, choose an inverter that is slightly larger than your total power needs.
For example, if the total running power is 4000 watts and the starting power is 5000 watts, you’ll need an inverter with 20% more capacity than the starting power.
5000 x 1.20 = 6000 watts
What to Consider When Buying An Inverter for RV?
Now that you know what inverter size you need, what other aspects should you consider when choosing an inverter? Let’s find out.
Power Requirements
First, you need to consider the power needs of your RV appliances. As mentioned, calculate the total wattage so that you don’t overload or underutilize your inverter. Here, you should consider the running and starting wattage.
Type of Inverter
Another aspect to consider is the type of inverter. You want an inverter that produces AC current compatible with most RV appliances. For this, a pure sine wave inverter is your best option. It produces smoother, cleaner, and more stable current. While you can opt for a modified sine wave inverter, its waveform is rougher, which is not compatible with most electric devices.
Brand and Reliability
You don’t want to buy an inverter from any manufacturer or supplier. Consider buying from reputable brands such as BLUETTI. The company produces some of the most sought after inverters in the market. Besides, they have a global footprint, which attests to their ingenuity.
Final thoughts
There's no doubt that an inverter is a crucial device for RV living. It converts DC power into AC current, allowing you to charge and run your devices. Pure sine wave inverters are the most practical as they produce smoother and more stable electricity. Consider your power requirements, inverter reliability, and brand when choosing one for your RV.
