Cargo trailer life

candjmc wrote:
Maybe small tv fridge is 88 watts

That is the "run" wattage, startup surge wattage will be pretty close to 700W-800W.

Some folks have had success with 800W inverters but in reality 1,000W-1,200W (2,000W-2,400W SURGE rating)inverter will ensure a successful fridge startup.

To handle the large startup surge current you will also need to use rather heavy ga of wire, something like 2ga or better and keep the 12V side from the inverter to battery as short as possible. The typical 10 ga wires they give with cheap inverters simply will not do when dealing with high surge currents. Minimizing the voltage drop from battery to the inverter is key to keeping the inverter from shutting down under the surge.

I used 1/0 and have no more than 6ft total wire (three feet for positive and three feet for the negative).

Make darn sure you add in a FUSE for the wire FEEDING the inverter, place it close to the battery as possible. Size the fuse to the wire size..

Maybe small tv fridge is 88 watts

Look at the frig for watts used. Then we can give you a better answer. Do you plan on small tv or other 110V items? Lights will be 12v not run by inverter. Would go with led light bulbs for less power draw.

How many watts does the fridge use? You should get a pure sine wave inverter bigger than what the fridge uses. Your lights should be 12 volt LEDs.

Thanks 2lazy4u, I would assume 1000 watt with 2000 watt starting would be ok

I had a 400 inverter and it was fine. I had a 90 watt panel. Am now upgrading to 100w and a 500 inverter. About all I use it for is a few lights, charging my computer and cell phone, and powering my furnace heater when it's cold. No problems yet, but I never tried to run a small fridge.

Only reason I'm upgrading is I sold the other with my old trailer.