If you plan to live in your RV full-time or even for a few weeks and want the luxury of using your appliances without the need to stay at campgrounds, you need an RV solar inverter. Camper, camper, and RV conversions include a battery bank for charging 12V DC devices.
But what about home appliances like charging laptops, watching TV, or keeping beers cold in the fridge? These need AC power, so an rv solar inverter is essential, especially when you’re taking an offline trip and aren’t connected to a campground’s shoreline power facility.
So what does the RV inverter do, and why would you need one in your vehicle? Let’s take a closer look and learn how to use solar inverters for campervans.
 
What is an RV solar inverter?
In the simplest terms, a camper solar inverter transforms DC power into AC power. But why should you?
Alternating current (AC) cannot be stored, but direct current (DC) can, and we use our campervan’s leisure batteries to maintain it.
You can connect your DC appliances to the battery, and they will run without a problem, such as LED lights, a 12V refrigerator, USB outlets, and fans. Appliances typically plugged into a household outlet need an AC power source.
Appliances like microwaves, laptop chargers, coffee makers, or regular TVs will not work directly from the battery bank.
When a power source is unavailable, such as when you are taking a trip and the RV is not connected to the mains, you only have your battery bank as a power source, providing DC power. But your home appliances won’t run on DC.
You could run your RV’s generator because it produces AC power, but that can be noisy and a bit overkill if you don’t need to use your appliances often.
Instead, you can use a motorhome solar inverter to convert stored DC power from the battery bank to AC so you can go ahead and run your appliances. And if you buy some solar panel companies in UAE, you can have cheap clean energy in your camper.
Why do I need an RV solar inverter?
The short answer is no. You don’t need an inverter if you can avoid running any AC appliances when off the grid. If your RV has a grounded electrical installation, you can still run AC appliances camping.
Battery banks have a finite amount of power. So whatever you use needs to be replaced, either from a solar setup, charging from the camper’s alternator when the engine is running, or running a generator.
Limiting (or eliminating) the use of powerful AC appliances when they’re not plugged in can help keep you off the grid longer, and can avoid the need for a large battery bank.
All of that said, if you still want to run even a small number of AC appliances on batteries alone, you need an RV inverter in your camper.
Some RVs already have an inverter installed. But if your caravan isn’t one of them, the built-in inverter has failed, or you’re building a caravan conversion, you can buy and install a separate inverter.
How can I tell if I have an RV solar inverter?
Suppose you have bought a used caravan, and you are not sure if it already has an inverter installed. In that case, you will have to go hunting to find it.
It should be installed fairly close to the battery bank, so if you know where it is (and you should), start your search nearby.
RVs tend not to be huge, so as long as you know what you’re looking for, you’ll eventually find it if you have one installed. If you canât find the inverter, you need to contact our technicians who can also answer your other questions like the solar inverter price in Dubai, for instance.
How does an RV solar inverter work in a camper?
DC power travels in one direction, apparently in a straight line. AC power oscillates, changing direction between positive and negative voltages.
The inner workings of an inverter consist of a series of switches, diodes, or transformers. As DC enters the inverter, these diodes open and close rapidly, either 50 or 60 times per second, depending on the frequency the supply provides. Itâs helpful to know how a rv solar inverter works if you want to use solar inverters for campers.
What type of inverter do I need?
There are three different types of investors:
- square wave inverter
- Modified Sine Wave Inverter
- Pure Sine Wave Inverter
How to use an RV solar inverter
Once installed, using an inverter in a caravan is very easy. Most rv solar inverter systems have a simple switch to turn your power on. It will be located on the device, or it may have a remote switch.
Once it’s turned on, the inverter is ready to power your AC appliances. Just plug them directly into the inverter (they come with one or two plugs) or your extension cord, and you’re done.
An inverter is an important part of your camperâs solar energy system, so if you want to buy one, get the best RV solar inverter you can afford. If you need help choosing an inverter model, contact our solar equipment one stop shop.