Hey everyone! I'm looking for advice on the best inverter size for my system. I have two 12V, 206Ah lithium iron phosphate batteries that I'll connect in series, giving me a 24V, 206Ah setup. I'm considering either a 2000W or 3000W pure sine wave inverter for my tiny house. I'll need to power a laptop, modem, fridge, flat-screen TV, and a Switch 2, plus charge some phones and run LED lights. Depending on the weather in Texas, I might also want to use a fan or two. Additionally, I'd like to run small appliances like a mini waffle maker and a sandwich maker. I might install a mini split AC later, but I want to choose an efficient inverter now. Any thoughts?
3 Answers
A 2-3kW inverter is pretty standard for a 24V system. Just keep in mind that you don't want to pull over 100A from your battery if you can avoid it, as that can lead to higher costs for wiring and equipment. You also need to think about the inverter's surge capacity for starting appliances like fridges and power tools, along with the standby power that scales with the inverter's maximum output. Going for extra capacity can help, but it might mean you're paying for higher energy loss when the inverter's on.
I had a 2kW inverter on a similar setup, and it barely covered everything, especially when running the microwave. Now I've upgraded to a 3kW inverter, and it’s much better. My peak load is around 2300W, so you really should assess what you'll be running at once. If you're adding a waffle maker, which pulls a lot, I'd suggest going with the 3000W option!
Definitely go for a 3kW inverter and consider adding more batteries in the future for even more capacity!
Absolutely! I agree with that approach. I want to ensure there's room for future expansion since I’m planning to move this into a skoolie eventually.