INVERTERS EXPLAINED
The latest motorhomes come packed with electrical goodies, and these days, we tend to carry more devices while touring. From TVs to laptops, games consoles to ebikes, there is always a need for extra power.
But what if you want to run 230V AC power without a hook-up, or you’re wild camping? It’s easy with an inverter – but you need to be aware of a few things to help you pick the right one.
The 12V DC power from leisure batteries powers almost everything in your ’van. The fridge, heater fan, lights, TV, water pump and toilet flush all rely on the battery to work. So being economical with your available power is key to surviving as long as possible without needing to plug into the mains.
Most electronic gadgets run on DC power, but may be partnered with a mains transformer to make them convenient to use in your house. TVs and laptops are common examples of these. While you can simply plug these into an inverter, the process of transforming power from DC to AC, then back to DC inside the device, wastes power (typically 5-20%). Inverters and transformers are not 100% efficient, so energy is lost in conversion. If you can power a TV or laptop, or other device, by buying a 12V adaptor lead, it will save energy.
Equally, if you have a device that runs off gas, such as a fridge, that will let you wild camp for longer than powering
