By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, we join Sean Michael from the Long Long Honeymoon YouTube channel (one of the winners of our 2024 RV video awards), for a short tutorial about RV inverters. If you are confused about RV inverters versus RV converters, be sure to see this post first.
Sean says inverters are the most affordable way to bring electricity to your off-grid campsite. Full disclosure, Ampeak inverters sponsored the video, but that does not mean there isn’t a lot of valuable information in it.
Why do you need a power converter? To convert the DC power in your RV from your batteries or solar panels into AC power you can use to run appliances and devices. Actual power outlets are built into the inverter.
In the video, Sean shows a small inverter that simply plugs into a 12-volt outlet, such as your vehicle’s cigarette lighter. These are small with small wattage. To power larger appliances, you will need a larger inverter.
Two types of RV Inverters
- Pure sine wave: Safe for even delicate electronics, this produces smooth, safe power similar to your home outlets.
- Modified sine wave: This electricity is “safe” but not as desirable for running electronics; however, it is fine for tools and average appliances.
No matter which type you choose, all inverters have built-in safety features that will cut off the power if it detects an issue.
Watch the video as Sean demos different inverters and how he uses them.
If you just need a small amount of power, the portable inverters are easy to use—just plug and play. At about $20, they are also affordable.
For larger inverters to power your whole RV, you will need a larger inverter that is wired into your RV’s batteries. Sean demonstrates with one wired into his vehicle batteries.
If you are not familiar with inverters, it’s a good demo. However, Sean neglected to talk about an important factor: Running an inverter is going to drain your batteries. The more things you run, the faster those batteries are going to drain. The video presents a rosy, optimistic view, which is great. But you always have to keep in mind, that power is coming from somewhere. You will need to find a way to recharge those batteries!
##RVDT2402
Nice article for information gathering!
Lots of research led me to hardwire a 3000W Giandel Pure Sine Wave inverter into my 5th wheel through an ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch).
I ran the remote on off switch above my electrical panel. All I have to do is flip the battery charger breaker off (to prevent a charging loop) on the house panel and turn on the inverter and the entire RV now has power.
Makes dry camping so civilized! lol.
I ran everything in our camper off a Cobra 2500 watt modified sine wave inverter for YEARS. Computers, phone chargers, hair dryers, you name it. Now we have lithium batteries and a 2000 watt pure sine wave inverter that runs our 120v ac fridge and everything else when boondocking. Works great! I have the inverter mounted in the front pass-through storage area (next to our batteries). I have a heavy duty extension cord plugged into the inverter, and it runs back to the shore power cord where I have a homemade 120v electrical box to plug us into ourselves. It gives us 120v in all the plugs in the trailer. As Leonard mentioned, I have a cutoff switch to shut off the converter when boondocking.
Thank you, Cheri! 🙂 Nice tutorial for newbies. Thanks again and safe travels! 🙂