Which inverter is right for camping/tailgating?
Deciding on an inverter for camping or a power inverter for tailgating can be a confusing process due to the electrical equipment that you plan on utilizing from your camper, trailer, car or otherwise. What’s the best inverter generator for camping? What size inverter do you need for camping? A lot of this comes down to how much power you need for your electrical equipment.
Before purchasing an inverter, it’s imperative to comprehend what size devices you’ll be running off it. Inverters arrive in a scope of sizes from 150 watts through to 6000 watts and yours ought to be generally twofold the measure of the draw you’ll be putting on it. What this means is that your inverter’s wattage scope shouldn’t just cover your equipment’s power needs but should have at least double the available wattage. For a 200-watt draw, you should use an inverter that supplies at least 400; for 1000 watts, an inverter that is 2000 watts or higher and so on. This enables the inverter to work inside its ability and brings down the shot of blowing wires in case of a power surge.
Continuous vs. Peak Rating for Inverters
Inverters have two different ratings: a continuous or consistent rating and a peak rating. The consistent rating indicates what draw can be set on the inverter for a drawn out stretch of time while the peak or pinnacle rating is the greatest load an inverter can deal with for a brief timeframe. The pinnacle rating is ordinarily around twofold the consistent rating and permits machines that require an underlying burst of vitality, for example, coolers to fire up before subsiding into their persistent rating.
The peak or pinnacle rating is necessary for appliances that require a higher maximum power for a short time. This is most common in appliances with electrical motors. Pumps, compressors and air conditioners are three of the most common appliances that require this elevated power rating. While inverters can come with a higher surge in order to compensate for these differences, it’s recommended to select an inverter with a higher continuous rating instead, as to not burn out your inverter prematurely.
Understand Your Power Needs
Ultimately, the best inverter for your camper, trailer or tailgating vehicle will come down to how you plan to use it and how long you’ll be using it for. For small and short applications like tailgating, a lower wattage inverter that plugs into your automobile auxiliary power outlet or cigarette lighter receptacle may do the trick. But for longer usage with more power needed, a larger inverter may be necessary. All it takes to find out is a little math.
Check out our selection of power inverters for camping and tailgating. Also read up on how to select the best power inverter for your RV.
I have a 1,410 AH 12v bank all deep cycle GC2-6V batteries 12 of them in 2 group series then tied in parallel. A 6,000 watt 12kw inverter, hardwired 30 amp RV receptacle box 600 watts of 24v solar on 45 amp mppt controller, 550 watt 19mph rated turbine tied to a 3 phase bridge rectifier 100 amp, I use about 1,500 watt hours for 6 hours for AC unit in camper. Is this system good for running my campers 15,000 btu AC unit that uses 1,336 watts ? Or should I add another 1,000 watt 24v solar? Or will this still charge and run my AC unit?
Based on the information you provided your AC unit is using approx. 1500 Watts per hour, your panels are producing approx. 600 Watts per hour. If you use the AC unit for 6 hours that is 9000 Watts per day. If your solar panels get the US average of 5 hours of direct sunlight per day that is 3000 Watts per day. Your turbine is adding to your production, but I have no way of estimating how much power it would actually produce per day. We would recommend adding more solar to your system to meet your power need as you are currently working at a deficit.
That’s what I think . I average about 3,500 watt hours from turbine per 24 hour cycle.
So what sized solar array should I go with to meet the demand of that power hungry monster all my other uses from bank and system power my onboard house bank charger 235 ah 12v system it draws like 20 amp hours a day, TV 30 ah , microwave 10 ah low usage, oh and my prototype wind turbine tower scorpion tower has an led flood light system that turned on at night uses only .06 amps at 12.6 v or 13.2 what ever my system bank is resting at .