I'm setting up my off-grid camping pod and I currently have an 80W solar panel with a PWM controller and three 50Ah car batteries connected in parallel. I used to rely on an old Honda EX650 generator for extra power, especially for starting my diesel heater. But now that I've relocated the solar panel to the roof, I've stopped using the generator.
I've upgraded to a 200W solar panel with an MPPT, switched to two 110Ah leisure batteries wired in parallel, and added an Eberspacher Handiwash with a switch and relay. I'm considering a 2000W pure sine wave inverter, although I'll only be using it to power a 90W laptop charger, a 24" LCD TV, and possibly my old Xbox 360.
I'm wondering if using a much larger inverter than I really need will cause any issues? Will it damage anything?
3 Answers
Using a bigger inverter isn't going to damage anything, but it could be less efficient. A 2000W inverter gives you room for more loads in the future, which is great for flexibility. Just keep in mind that larger inverters consume more energy even when idle, so if you can power your constant loads directly with DC, that’ll help you save some power and avoid running the inverter unnecessarily. Your setup sounds like it can handle it!
You're good to use a larger inverter! Just remember that inverters basically pull power, so if you're running well below its maximum capacity, it won't harm anything. The only downside is a bit of efficiency loss, especially if you don’t use it often. But definitely not a problem!
Right! Just make sure your batteries can handle the current demand.
One thing to keep in mind is that idle power loss can be a consideration. For a 2000W inverter, expect about 20W lost if you're just running low-power devices like your laptop. It could add up, so just be aware of that when you're calculating your total power usage!
Exactly! Plus, with it being a higher capacity inverter, you'll have peace of mind when adding future gadgets!