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How much power does the inverter consume from my batteries?
The power an inverter uses from your batteries depends on its efficiency and the load it powers. For example, if you have a 1,000 watt inverter and it is 90% efficient, it will consume more power from the batteries than it provides to the load. To calculate this, you use the formula: Battery Power = Power to Charge / Efficiency.
So, if the inverter supplies 1000 watts to the load and has 90% efficiency, it consumes approximately 1111 watts from the batteries (1000 W / 0.90).
At 12 volts, this would equate to approximately 92 amps (1111 W / 12 V).
How to calculate the consumption of an inverter?
An inverter itself consumes a small amount of electricity, called self-consumption or standby power.
This consumption varies by model and size, but is generally between 5 and 15 watts for small and medium inverters. For larger inverters, especially those with advanced features or higher power ratings, this number may be higher. It is important to refer to the specific specifications of the inverter to determine its exact self-consumption.
How to calculate the autonomy of an inverter battery?
The lifespan of a 100 Ah battery with a voltage converter depends on the power consumption of the converter and the efficiency of the system.
For example, if the voltage converter powers a 500 watt load and has an efficiency of 85%, it will consume approximately 588 watts from the battery (500 W / 0.85). At 12 volts, this equates to approximately 49 amps (588 W/12 V).
A 100 Ah battery, in this case, would theoretically last around 2 hours (100 Ah / 49 amps), assuming constant charging and ideal conditions.
The power an inverter needs depends on the power it must provide.
For example, if you need to power devices totaling 2,000 watts, you should choose an inverter with at least 2,000 watts. Additionally, the inverter must be able to handle the peak or surge power needs of devices. It is generally advisable to select an inverter with a power rating higher than the combined power consumption of your devices to ensure reliable performance and to accommodate any unexpected power surges.
For a 1000 watt inverter, a suitable battery will depend on the inverter voltage and desired run time.
In a 12V system, a battery must have sufficient amp-hour capacity to handle current draw and provide sufficient runtime. A 1000 watt inverter at 12V would draw approximately 83 amps (1000W/12V). Therefore, a battery with a capacity of at least 100 Ah would be a good starting point for short to moderate runtimes.
For longer runtimes or extra headroom, a larger capacity battery would be more appropriate.
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