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--- electrical:inverter [2024/04/18 00:01]
frater_secessus [Inverters]
+++ electrical:inverter [2025/01/01 11:24] (current)
frater_secessus [differences from shore power 120vac]
@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 Inverting from DC to your local shore power spec will necessarily incur losses.  These might be 10-30%, depending on the inverter, the inverter's efficiency spec, etc.  In the absence of hard information you might use 20% losses as a rule of thumb.  This means it will require 20% more power to run your load than the rating spec.
-w * 0.8 efficiency = 60w demanded from the system
+w / 0.8 efficiency = 60w demanded from the system
 ===== Modified Sine Wave =====
-Originally called "square wave" inverters, MSW inverters are inexpensive and ubiquitous.  If your inverter doesn't say it is MSW or PSW then it is probably MSW.
+Note:  modified //square// wave is more accurate but relatively uncommon in marketing.
+MSW inverters are inexpensive and ubiquitous.  If your inverter doesn't say it is MSW or PSW then it is probably MSW.
 Pro:
@@ Line 44: / Line 47: @@
 > One way that I used to check computer/electronic power supplies... take a [[https://amzn.to/2XKSFfp|Kill-a-Watt meter]] and measure the power factor. If it was >0.9, it probably would work fine -- BB((https://forum.solar-electric.com/discussion/comment/191612#Comment_191612))((power factor is the PF button on the kill-a-watt))
+Appliances with motors tend to run poorly and hotter than usual.
@@ Line 245: / Line 250: @@
 > In fact, the situation with an inverter is very similar to [a] 240 VAC circuit... which has 2 120 VAC lines driven 180 degrees out of phase, i.e., "push-pull."((http://thesurvivalpodcast.com/forum/index.php?topic=63891.msg758502#msg758502))
+===== types of setups =====
+[for simplicity this section assumes 120vac and 12vdc and makes broad generalizations -- secessus]
+Most **campervans** have a simple setup:
+  * battery bank -> 12v loads
+  * battery bank -> inverter -> 120vac outlet[s]
+  * [other forms of charging/power ignored for the purpose of this section]
+Vintage **"conversion" vans** might have
+  * battery bank -> 12v loads
+  * shore power -> 120vac distribution (120vac loads only run when plugged into shore power)
+Since **Class A and Class C RVs** are expected to be on pedestal power at RV parks much of the time and run huge loads like air conditioning, water heaters, and clothes washers they often have robust 120vac setups that can pass through shore power when available and use the inverter when it is not:
+  * shore power((or [[electrical:generator|generator]])) -> **transfer switch**((automatic or manual)) -> 120vac loads
+  * battery bank -> inverter -> **transfer switch** -> 120vac loads
+Very **small RVs** like popups, A-frames, truck campers, etc, with modest loads might have
+  * shore power -> converter/charger -> battery bank
+  * battery bank -> inverter -> 120vac outlets
+There are losses inherent in 120vac -> 12vdc -> 120vac but 1) we're on shore power; and 2) the loads concerned are usually quite light.  This setup might also have a dedicated 120vac outlet that only works when shore power is connected.

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