When the RV is away from shore power, the inverter converts DC power from the batteries into AC power for home appliances and equipment on the road. Many motorhome owners wonder if they should always leave the inverter on. In reality, whether or not the inverter is on depends on a variety of circumstances. Let's look at this in more detail below.
Understanding RV Inverters
RV inverters are typically installed in the power distribution system of an RV to convert DC power (batteries, solar panels) to standard AC power for use by electrical appliances in the RV, such as TVs, microwaves, chargers, and so on. There are two common types of RV inverters: pure sine wave inverters and modified sine wave inverters, with pure sine wave inverters producing better quality power and being compatible with more devices.
Should the RV inverter be on all the time?
Caravan inverters should always be switched off when not in use, as even when not in use, caravan inverters can drain the battery, resulting in reduced battery life. This is especially true for high-power inverters used to power high-power-consuming appliances. The inverter will still draw 2-3 amps when it is on but not supplying 120V AC equipment. In addition, continuous operation of the inverter generates heat which can lead to overheating and damage to equipment.
However, if you need to use a device that requires constant power (such as a fridge or security system), you will need to leave the RV inverter on to provide constant power to the device. Also, some inverters have features such as remote control or WiFi connectivity that require the inverter to be left on for proper operation.
Therefore, be sure to turn off the inverter when not actively powering AC equipment.
Advice on whether to leave the inverter on for long periods
If you use your caravan occasionally, it's a good idea to leave the inverter on, especially if it powers basic appliances such as the fridge. However, if you use your caravan frequently or for long periods, it is advisable to switch off the inverter when not in use to conserve battery power. It's also a good idea to check the charge level of your battery and replace it if necessary.
Whether or not to leave your motorhome inverter depends on several factors, including the type of inverter, the power rating, the battery capacity, and how often the motorhome is used. It may be practical to leave the inverter on for occasional use, but for frequent or long-term use it should be switched off when not in use to conserve battery power. Regular monitoring and maintenance of your caravan battery and inverter is essential to ensure optimum performance and safety.
How does an RV inverter work?
An RV inverter utilizes the 12V batteries of the RV to provide power, converting the battery's 12V DC into 120V AC for the outlets. This conversion involves initially boosting the voltage and then adjusting it to alternate, resulting in a 10-fold increase in input amperage. The RV inverter elevates your 12V DC power to a 120V AC power supply. Since the inverter cannot exceed the power provided by the battery bank, the question arises: Should the RV inverter remain operational while connected to a power source?
Some high-end inverters have a bypass circuit function that goes into standby mode when connected to shore power, stops drawing power from the batteries, and uses shore power directly. This helps to reduce the load on the batteries and provides more flexible power management options.
In addition, certain advanced inverters offer hybrid or power-assist features that can draw power from the batteries when load/demand exceeds supply, as well as supplement shore power. Such features ensure that sufficient power is available when needed and protect the batteries from the risk of over-discharge.
When plugged into shore power, should inverter be on?
When you connect to shore power, you can usually switch off the inverter. This is because the motorhome is then powered directly from the shore power without the inverter having to convert the DC power from the 12V battery to 120V AC. The standby mode helps reduce energy waste and protects the inverter and battery. As mentioned above, some inverters can automatically enter standby mode or shut down when the motorhome is connected to shore power.
On the other hand, if your inverter is a dual unit, i.e. a combination of inverter and converter, then you can leave the inverter on when connected to shore power, allowing the converter to work on its own and charge the house batteries for future use. So the answer to the question of whether the inverter should be switched on when connected to shore power depends on the inverter you have.
Use of different RV inverters
You can use different types of inverters, but there is no need to worry. No matter what type of inverter you use, the inverter can't power all the equipment in your vehicle. The power source will depend on how the manufacturer has wired your equipment and whether the RV inverter is intended to remain on when connected.
In the simplest case, the inverter may not be built into the caravan at all. Instead, it may be built into a portable unit, such as a cigarette lighter socket. These portable units are usually low power, around 200-400 watts, and provide one or two 120V AC sockets that can be plugged directly into the unit for use. These portable units are a good choice for some motorhomes that were not originally fitted with an inverter, or for scenarios where only a small number of small devices, such as laptops, need to be powered.
Using a portable inverter is as simple as plugging it into a 12V socket, switching it on, and then connecting any appliances that require 120V AC power. It's important to note that portable inverters usually have a smaller capacity, so they can't be used to power larger appliances.
If your motorhome already has an inverter installed, it should be connected directly to the 12V battery pack and there should be a control panel somewhere in the motorhome from which you can turn the inverter on or off. However, the performance of caravan inverters can vary.
In some cases, your motorhome may be fitted with a less powerful inverter with a capacity similar to that of a portable model, somewhere between 300-750 watts. If this is the case, the inverter may be wired in such a way that it can only supply power to one socket for purposes such as powering TV and DVD players, CPAP machines, charging laptops or computers, etc.
In other cases, your RV inverter may be connected to a dedicated breaker box to manage some of the smaller circuits, such as TVs, microwaves, and all electrical outlets, but cannot handle the electrical side of high-power appliances such as air conditioners, washers, dryers or RV refrigerators or water heaters.
In rare cases, an RV inverter can be installed and connected to provide 120V AC power to the entire RV. In this case, you must take extra care not to run too many appliances at the same time to avoid overloading the inverter. You should pay particular attention to appliances that use a lot of power, especially air conditioners and heat-generating appliances such as the heating element of your RV refrigerator or water heater. You also need to be aware of the capacity of your battery pack to ensure you don't drain it too quickly.
