inverter

[shadowdancer]

looking to get an inverter for my boat. wii use some power tools and maybe a small microwave dont want to spend a fortune,, how big should i go ? 2000, 1500, or 1000

[skipmac]

Microwave will suck a lot of amps so don't go too small. I have a 2000 W inverter and wouldn't go smaller.

Be aware that as a rough approximation, it will take ten times more amps at 12V from the battery to the inverter than a 110V AC appliance uses. So a microwave typically pulls 10-12 amps which will pull over 100 amps out of your batteries. Won't be for that long so the amp hours used won't be that great but you will need to size the cables battery to inverter accordingly.

Also, microwaves will need true sine wave so you'll need to get a good (IE expensive) inverter. I have a Victron that has worked well for almost 10 years and love it. Mastervolt also makes good units.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by shadowdancer

looking to get an inverter for my boat. wii use some power tools and maybe a small microwave dont want to spend a fortune,, how big should i go ? 2000, 1500, or 1000

Go the biggest.

[Chotu]

Because of the microwave, “go big or go home”.

[shadowdancer]

maybe ill leave the microwave at home

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by shadowdancer

maybe ill leave the microwave at home

Well it isn't an essential but I find I use mine fairly often. It does suck a lot of amps but usually for such a short time that it doesn't deplete your batteries that much.

For five minutes in the microwave you only use 10-12 amp hours from the battery bank depending on the power setting on the microwave.

I find my Victron inverter also helpful at times when connected to shore power. If the dock has low voltage or amps the Victron can boost the power like using jumper cables to start a car with a low battery. Several times I've been on shorepower that wouldn't start my air conditioner without the boost.