Campers and Marine
Renewable electric power is ideal for mobile power when traveling, camping or sailing. When the vehicle engine is not needed,
batteries are still fully charged by sunlight or wind. This allows full time living with
rarely ever needing outside hookup or generator. The power requirements are a lot less in camper and marine living than a
conventional home, because the living space is limited and, unlike most homes, the camper or boat has already been carefully
engineered for utmost energy efficiency.
Usually an inverter is added to a mobile home or boat, to change battery power into standard household type AC electricity so you can plug in a computer, vacuum, larger TV and satellite system, power tools, and other appliances. Small portable inverters costing less than 150Euro will operate some items, but these have quality and durability intended just for occasional portable use. Inverters sized for 600 to 1500 watts are a common mobile choice, because these will run small appliances including computer equipment, large televisions and satellite receivers, vacuum cleaner, handheld power tools, and smaller microwave ovens. If a clothes washer or larger microwave oven are included, an inverter rated 1200-2500 watts might be best.
Many inverters are called standby inverters, which means they also function as a battery charger and automatic transfer switch when power is provided from an outside source, either shore power or a generator. A standby inverter senses when connected to outside power, and switches that power through to your outlets and appliances while also re-charging the battery. When outside power is disconnected, the standby inverter automatically switches back to producing AC power from the energy stored in the batteries. Appliances, lights and outlets always have AC power from the most appropriate source available.