High Quality Inverters Designed for High Wattage Loads

In addition to Renogy’s great line up of  pure sine wave inverters and inverter chargers, they are now offering a couple of new high-end, on and off-grid options – a 2000W battery inverter with automatic transfer switch and a high frequency 3000W split-phase inverter charger! Before we dive in, let’s make sure you understand some important terminology as well as the key differences of these devices so that you can purchase wisely.

Which Do I Need: Converter, Battery Inverter, or Inverter Charger?

Converter: Most RV manufacturers install a “converter” into the RV’s electrical system so that your RV house battery bank will charge while you are plugged into shore power – it converts AC power to DC power so that when you leave the campsite (or home), your battery bank is topped off and ready to keep things going until you plug in again. Some modern converters are compatible with LiFePO4 batteries, but many older ones are not. Check your owners manual to be certain.

Battery Inverter: An inverter does the opposite of a converter; it transfers the DC power from your battery to AC power so that you can run AC appliances when you are NOT plugged into “shore power.” Most RV manufacturers do not include an inverter into the factory electrical system – unless designed as an off-grid or overlanding rig.

Inverter Charger: This device is a combination of a converter and inverter in one unit. Inverter chargers can change AC to DC power to charge your battery bank AND change DC to AC, so you can run household appliances while off-grid. In fact, they can do both at the same time. These devices have an automatic transfer switch, so that when you plug into shore power it automatically switches over, allowing 120V power to “pass through” the device to all the AC electrical circuits. At the same time it takes some of the AC power, changes it to DC power, and charges your house battery bank.

Can I Run My RV Air Conditioner and Residential Fridge While I’m Off-Grid?

If we had $1 for every time someone asked us this question! The answer is YES, of course, but it depends. If you are interested in running higher wattage appliances that carry inductive loads (e.g., air conditioners, refrigerators, humidifiers, vacuum cleaners, treadmills, microwave ovens, range hoods, audio equipment, and electric fans, etc.)

Renogy’s 1000W or  2000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Battery Inverter, equipped with a UPS transfer switch, may be your answer. This device serves as an off-grid battery inverter, but also has a transfer switch that automatically switches between on-grid and off-grid, allowing your devices to continue to run smoothly, even during power outages when you are connected to the grid. It will not, however, charge your battery bank. It will just allow your appliances to continue to run using your battery bank when the grid goes down. In certain regions of the country, this is a very common problem during extreme weather days, both too hot and too cold.

Let’s say you are camping at an RV park when a large thunderstorm rolls through and knocks the power out in the campground for a few hours. You are out for lunch or enjoying a bike ride when this happens and have left the family pooch slumbering inside. All of your electrical appliances stop working, including the air conditioner. With this 2000W battery inverter connected to shore power, it automatically switches to using your house battery bank as a power supply, guaranteeing seamless backup power during temporary power outages. You return to cold food in the fridge, lights that work, and the family pooch is still sleeping comfortably inside.

Some other cool features of this new 2000W inverter include:

• > 92% efficiency while power consumption is less than 12W (1000W) and 18W (2000W).
• Minimal noise so that you never hear your inverter running at night.
• Cooling fans and short-circuit protection to protect against overheating and ensure safety.
• Seamless power transition in 15ms (milliseconds).
• Built-in Bluetooth for remote monitoring using the Renogy ONE Core.

Alternatively, you might be seeking an inverter charger that can handle very large loads, higher voltages, and offers lower electromagnetic disturbance for better performance of onboard electronics and wireless communication.

Renogy’s new  REGO 3000W Split-Phase Inverter Charger offers an adaptable high-frequency output (50Hz/60Hz), offers North American split-phase* voltage (120V/240V), weighs 40 pounds less than the original REGO 3000W, and boasts a 9000VA peak power surge.

Note: 240VAC output is only available when the inverter/charger is supplied by a split-phase 120/240VAC source.

Some other cool features of this new 3000W inverter charger include:

• Minimal noise so that you never hear your inverter running at night.
• Output of up to 6000W in on-grid scenarios.
• Cooling fans and short-circuit protection to protect against overheating and ensure safety.
• Automotive grade components.
• Seamless power transition in 10ms (milliseconds).
• Built-in Bluetooth for remote monitoring using the Renogy ONE Core.

How Do I Size an Inverter for My Energy Needs?

In addition to considering the types of appliances you’ll be running, you need to appropriately size your inverter based on your total AC load. To do this, calculate your AC load, which is the total wattage of your AC appliances that you plan to run all at the same time. Let’s say you want to run your laptop, coffee maker, TV, and blender at the same time and the wattage on these appliances adds up to 1550W. Add an extra 25% of 1550W for a safe margin of error (1550 x 1.25 = 1937.50). You will need to purchase a 2000W inverter to be able to handle this load. If you intend to run air conditioning, and this number adds up to 2400W (2400 x 1.25 = 3000), you’ll need a 3000W inverter. Our downloadable Solar System Sizing Worksheet can assist you with adding up your possible AC load as well as help you size your entire system.

Inverter Installations Considerations: Wire Color, Type, & Gauge

One of the problems that DIYers get into when working on their RV is the confusion about wire colors, types, and sizes between AC and DC wiring. When installing an inverter, you’ll be dealing with BOTH types, so it’s important to understand the differences. Generally speaking, AC wires can be a smaller gauge than DC wiring at the same current load, so it’s important to limit the length of any DC run and maximize the AC (see wire charts). As always, if you don’t feel comfortable with electrical wiring, consult a licensed electrician.

Wire Color

Color coding is important to follow so that you or any other technician can easily determine the wiring in your system. The chart below refers to wires in a DC or AC circuit.

Wire Type

DC wire can be single-strand, or braided copper wire made from many strands, and coated in an insulating plastic. AC wire, like the kind used in homes, is often referred to as Romex (a popular brand name) or NM (non-metallic), which consists of three to four individual copper wires coated with insulated and color-coded plastic, and bundled in an insulated sleeve.

Wire Size or Gauge

As electricity passes through a wire, it heats up. If the wire is too small for the load, it will get too hot and could melt, or worse, cause a fire. This is why it’s important to size wiring correctly AND protect with appropriate fuses. American Wire Gauge scale (AWG) is the standard way to measure wire in North America. Both the maximum current (or load in amps) that will run through the wire, as well as the length of the wire between the source and appliance, determine what AWG wire you'll need in your system. The scale is not intuitive, however, the smaller the AWG number the larger the diameter of wire, so here are two helpful charts to clarify.

Installations Considerations: Location & Additional Parts

• Proximity to Battery: The inverter should be installed close enough to the battery bank to minimize voltage drop over the length of wire. However, if you are using flooded lead acid batteries, do NOT install the inverter in the same compartment because of the potential for fire. Flooded lead acid batteries have the potential to off gas during charging and a spark from the inverter circuitry has the potential to ignite the gas. If you are using Gel, AGM, or Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, you can install these in the same compartment because they are all sealed batteries.
• Ventilation Space: While doing its work, inverters give off heat and need space, especially around the cooling fan intake vents. Each installation has parameters specific to an inverter’s size and power. Be sure to read the user’s manual for space recommendations before purchasing and installing this component.
• Additional Parts & Wiring: Depending on your installation, you may need: AC wiring, household extension cord, fuses, bus bars, transfer switch, split panel, electrical boxes, electrical connections, and any necessary tools. It’s a good idea to work these into your overall schematic, so that there is enough room in your solar cabinet for all of these additional parts.

For more information about installing a battery inverter, inverter charger, and disconnecting your existing converter, check out this blog. While there are many things to consider when deciding which inverter to buy and how to install a pure sine wave inverter in an RV, we hope this guide helps narrow it down to a few simple questions. Consider the following: How often are you going to use your RV off-grid? How many appliances do you want to run while off-grid? And how do you want to integrate your inverter into your RV?

If you’re going to go off-grid with your RV, even for a short time, it simply makes sense to install an inverter. We simply couldn’t manage our off-grid life and small, mobile business in the same way without ours!

Shari Galiardi & David Hutchison have turned their higher education backgrounds, desire for life-long learning, and thirst for adventure travel into writing, photography, video production, and public speaking tours from coast to coast.  Known to their friends as simply Shari & Hutch, you can learn more about their full-time, solar powered adventures on their website at freedominacan.com.  Or, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube as “Freedom in a Can.”  Save an additional 10% off most products using our promo code CANLIFE – even on sale items!