what size inverter.

I have a 300 watt inverter for my TVs, stereo and phone charging. I wouldn't go any smaller.

We had a 2000 watt inverter in our 2001 Alpenlite with 4 batteries. I would not want less than 2000 watts. chevman

1800 watts for single hi draw items such as an induction hob.

300 watts for tv, computers, and cell phone charging.

For small items I recommend 300w. For large items 2000w.
I went with two batteries and 2x 120a BMS. Or consider 200a BMS.

As they said 300 watts for Entainerment/computer only

1500 is the absolute minimum for a Microwave I'd go with 2,000

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

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.

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.

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.

wa8yxm wrote:
As they said 300 watts for Entainerment/computer only

1500 is the absolute minimum for a Microwave I'd go with 2,000

Panasonic true inverter microwaves run just fine on a 1000W inverter if you set power to 50% max. Done that for 8 years now. yes, things take a bit longer (maybe 50%) to heat, but that's it. 50% is drawing about 750-800VA, you can actually go to 70% or so if you have a big enough battery bank and are reasonably charged. 50% works on a set of 4GC2's discharged to around 50-60%.

Now a conventional microwave, yes 1500W minimum.