Inverters

There have been some significant changes in the way inverters look and perform in recent years, with technological advancements allowing for more efficient and practical applications. An inverter, also known as a power inverter or frequency inverter, is an electronic device or circuitry that converts direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) at any frequency or voltage. It may also be possible to use a battery-powered system to power various appliances using standard home wiring. An inverter might be fully electronic or a combination of mechanical and electronic circuitry (such as a rotary component).

How does an inverter work?

The concept of how an inverter works is easy, but putting it into practise is a little more difficult. A mechanical inverter is a switching unit coupled to an electricity transformer, to put it simply. By simply reversing the contacts on an electric motor or other sort of automated switching mechanism, the incoming DC in the primary is flipped back and forth, resulting in AC in the secondary. When connected to power, the switching device magnetises the switch, allowing it to open and close quickly. The switch is then pulled back into position by a spring, which turns it on again, and the process is repeated over and over. An inverter does not generate any energy on its own; it relies on the DC source for electricity. The design of the specific device or circuitry determines the input voltage, output voltage and frequency, and overall power handling.

Why do you need an inverter?

Inverters are used for a wide range of applications in recreational vehicles:

• Systems that use solar energy
• Charging items when you are offgrid that can only use 240v
• Cogeneration and other forms of renewable energy
• Using appliances like a kettle or a microwave
• Changing the power supply
• Wiring up 240v powerpoints in larger motorhomes
• Aerial systems
• Electricity as a backup

Rather than expecting you to wander around trying to find out all of the terms associated with inverters and inverter technology, we thought we'd put it all in one place. When it comes to inverter technology, you will most likely come across the following terms:

• The following are the principal sections of an inverter's main power circuit: A rectifier/converter is a device that converts one voltage to another. When it comes to power flow, the rectifier/converter is the first component. It converts incoming AC voltage to DC voltage. Diodes, silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs), or insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) form the converter portion, which is coupled in a full-wave bridge configuration.
• Alternating current (AC) is a type of electricity that alternates between two states Electric current that changes direction at regular intervals several times per second (typically used in power supplies)
• An alternator is a device that generates electricity.
• An alternator is a device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, which is then sent to the inverter. In cogeneration, for example, an alternator turns the engine's rotational energy into raw, variable electrical energy, which the inverter then converts into grid-synchronized power.
• Current that flows in one direction: A single-direction electric current is one that flows solely in one direction.
• A rotary inverter has an AC generator that is powered by a DC motor.
• Static inverters synthesis an AC waveform from a DC input using electrical power. Because static inverters do not have any moving parts in the power conversion process, they are called "static."

What Caravan Inverter do you need?

The size you choose is determined by the appliances you wish to run and the amount of power they consume. The inverter must first be matched to the load. Consider your typical day in your caravan - which appliances would you like to run at the same time? Then tally up the wattages of all of these appliances. Concentrate on the peak watts, as this is the power demand when they first start up. When you first switch on your coffee machine, for example, it uses anywhere from 1300 to 1800 Watts, depending on the model. 

Anything with a pump, compressor, or motor will have a larger peak power draw than specified in the specifications. Otherwise, the inverter will be damaged if it cannot handle the peak demand, even if it is only for a brief time. The battery is the second consideration when determining the size of your caravan inverter. Make sure your battery bank can handle the inverter's power. The maximum discharge current rating of your battery can be found in its specs (A). The max wattage that your battery can produce at 240V is equal to the size of inverter that your battery can power when this rating is multiplied by the voltage. Therefore 2x  110ah lithium batteries linked in parallel, has a maximum discharge current of 200A and a 12.5 volt average output voltage. 2,500 watts is 200 x 12.5 watts. As a result, this battery set up is an excellent match for a 2000 watt inverter. Finally, choose how long you intend to leave your appliances running. When using an inverter to power an appliance, you must calculate how long your battery will last.

Let's imagine your laptop charger is always drawing 50W from the caravan inverter. At 12 volts, that's around 4 amps, for a total of 96 amp hours during a 24-hour period. You must also consider the inverter's power draw. Converting DC to AC is an energy-intensive procedure. Without any load, a 1000W inverter will consume roughly 1 Amp per hour on standby, so it's best to switch it off completely when not in use which can be done via an isolator switch. Pro Tip: Don't turn on all of your appliances at the same time to keep the inverter's peak power usage from reaching its maximum. Choose from a huge range of inverters from our favourite brands like Redarc to power your appliances whilst on the road. 

Why shop with Outback Equipment?  

• We’re Australian owned and operated – We’re based right here in the south of Brisbane. If you ever need help with an order or a product, you can call straight through to our friendly local team.  

• Plenty of payment options – You can pay via PayPal, MasterCard, Visa, zipMoney, Afterpay, and direct deposit – whichever is most convenient for you.  

• Delivered to your door – You don’t have to worry about darting across town to grab your order. We deliver your goods straight to your door to save you time and energy.  

Order Your Camping and Caravan Inverters Today  

Stay in complete control of your power needs. For the best camping and caravan inverters Australia has to offer, shop online to find the final additions to your recreational vehicle today.