AC Appliance Loads for Camping & Off-Grid Setups
Recent improvements to batteries, inverters and solar power, plus the substantially lower price point of these technologies provide incredible opportunities to add utility to our outdoor adventures. What was previously only possible with noisy & smelly generators is now achievable with a power station, or by adding an inverter to our boat or RV’s electrical system to provide the 230 Volts AC (Alternating Current) supply required. Want to take a coffee machine, air frier, or charge an E-bike? No problem! An increasing number of adventurers are also doing away with LPG cooking by using induction cooktops, and even portable air conditioning is now possible when the summer temperatures become unbearable.
Remember the importance of off-grid power conservation
- Wherever possible run loads directly from a battery. Running devices straight from a battery avoids power conversion losses, as an inverter will usually use at least 10% extra energy. A classic example is your electric fridge, which performs best when powered by your battery setup or plugged into your powers station's 12V cigarette socket rather than AC.
- Turn off the AC Power/Inverter when not actually using it. Inverters continue to consumer power whenever they're switched on, even without actively running any devices, so turning them off can save significant energy over time.
- Use fuels like LPG/Diesel wherever possible. Using fuels like LPG or Diesel for heating and cooking, especially for high-energy tasks like water heating, greatly reduces the load on your battery bank and improves overall efficiency.
What size inverter/battery or power station do you need?
These need to be sized to run the highest load piece of equipment and there are three things to consider:
- Normal running load: This is the power consumed for all items running concurrently, measured in Watts (W). The inverter must be powerful enough to supply this without becoming overloaded
- Startup load: Any load with a motor requires a brief high energy burst to start the motor. The startup load is potentially many times higher (2-10x) than the running load. Difficult to measure without specialized equipment, quality inverters will usually deliver 2x their continuous output sufficient for most household appliances. Portable airconditioners require an oversized inverter, as they have very high startup loads, inverter should be sized with peak output at least 7-8x greater than the unit’s run current
- Battery capacity to keep it running: Note: The loads of other items such as fridge, charging cellphones etc all need to be added separately.
Capacity (Watt Hrs, WH) = Average Run Load (W) x Hours of use (H) x 1.2 (this allows for power conversion losses).
Not sure how to measure your AC loads? The easiest options are to check the product’s specifications or use a power meter. Alternatively bring the item to your nearest Burnsco store and we’ll power it from a power station which displays the run current. - Solar panel area for the required Watt Hours during summer use (October to February, average harvest without any shading) and for Lithium batteries (Lead Acid batteries are less efficient so require additional charging energy, March to September have lower solar energy for charging):Solar Panel Watts required = Battery Watt Hrs x 0.25
Example:
We want to use an air fryer while on holiday. Testing has shown peak loading at a steady 1650W while it’s heating to temperature. Once up to heat, power consumption drops, so we’ll assume power consumption is 75% of 1650W for the duration we’re using it.
The inverter required would be a minimum 1800W, and if we allow 15 minutes use per day, additional/battery capacity required would be:
1800W x 0.75 x 0.25 (Hrs) x 1.2 = 405WH
The solar charging/panel required for summer use for this item only is:
405WH x 0.25 =~ 100 Watt panel
Options:
Power station: This can easily be provided by using an 1800-2000W output power station e.g. the Powertech MB4102, Ecoflow Delta 3 Plus, or Bluetti AC180P.
Inverter: Another option would be to add a 2000W inverter to your RV or boat’s system e.g. a Powertech MI5740, or Victron Smart 12/2000. Although the Victron is rated for 1600W continuous, it will run 1900+W for short duration loads.
With the right combination of batteries, inverters, and solar panels, running your favourite AC appliances off-grid has never been more achievable, or more convenient. By understanding your normal and startup loads, conserving power where possible, and sizing your inverter and battery appropriately, you can enjoy modern comforts like coffee machines, air fryers, E-bike charging, or even a portable air conditioner while camping or off-grid. Whether you choose a dedicated power station or integrate an inverter into your RV or setup, careful planning ensures you get the performance you need without running out of juice, making your off-grid adventures smoother and more enjoyable.
