I'm diving into my first custom solar setup for my one-bedroom apartment and am pondering whether to go all out with a 3000W inverter. The main heavy-hitter will be my refrigerator, and I'm also planning to run a 65" TV, a fan, and a router. I'm thinking about pairing this with a 12V 300Ah battery, possibly two, and I'm eyeing a 60A MPPT charge controller in case I decide to add panels later down the line. My question is, could I save some cash and stick with a 2000W inverter instead? The most demanding loads I expect to have running at the same time would be the fridge, fan, router, laptop, and maybe charging something. I've got battery-powered lamps for lighting too.
4 Answers
You should be fine with a smaller inverter! A typical fridge uses between 100 to 300W, and yes, it has an extra kick when starting. TVs and similar devices weigh in around that range too. Fans and routers are pretty light, under 50W usually. If you're only using up to 1000W most times, a 2000W inverter should give you some breathing room for unexpected loads. And hey, consider going for a higher voltage setup if that's still on the drawing board; it makes everything easier in terms of wiring and future expansions. Just keep that idle consumption in mind!
Inverters do consume some power on their own, and the bigger the inverter, the higher the self-consumption. You'll want to choose wisely to maximize the runtime you get from your batteries. I recommend snagging a Kill-a-Watt meter to measure your devices. Don't forget that your fridge has a starting surge that can spike well above its continuous wattage. Higher-quality inverters can handle that better. If you're new to wiring, consider an all-in-one power station; it's more straightforward, even if the price is a bit higher.
So, no AC units, heat pumps, water heaters, or heavy kitchen appliances? If that's the case, you might just get away with a really small inverter! Sounds like you’ve got a simple setup planned.
Are you planning on an off-grid system or tying it to the grid? It sounds like you're preparing for outages, which is smart!
It's definitely off-grid; I want to have power during storms when the regular supply goes out. My fridge will be the only thing running continuously when I'm not home, and the router will be on when I'm back, along with a TV or my laptop.