Inverters Chargers 12V to 220V

A 12V inverter-charger combines three functions in a single unit: it converts the battery’s 12 V into 230 V alternating current, charges the battery bank when mains power is available, and automatically switches between mains and battery power without interrupting the supply. This is the standard setup in campervans, motorhomes and boats.

Charge-inverter or simply ‘inverter’

A inverter A standard one only converts from direct current to alternating current. If you plug into the mains fairly often — at campsites, in harbours, in garages — you’ll also need a battery recharger as well as a system for switching between the two sources.
The inverter-charger combines all three functions in a single unit, takes up less space and eliminates the need for interconnecting cables. In installations where the system is plugged in regularly, it works out cheaper and is neater than buying the components separately.

The PowerAssist function

It is the feature that is used most often, yet is the least well understood. When you are connected to a limited socket — the typical 6 or 10 A found at a campsite — and you switch on something that draws more than the socket can supply, the inverter draws the difference from the battery rather than tripping the circuit breaker.
In practice, this means being able to use a coffee machine or microwave at a campsite with a 6 A socket without cutting off the power to half the pitch.

Which power rating to choose

Regarding maximum simultaneous power consumption, allowing for start-up peaks. At 12 V, the usable range extends to around 3,000 W: above this, the current drawn from the battery — more than 250 A — means that the cable cross-sections become impractical, and it is advisable to switch the system to 24V.
Also take note of the charging current it provides, as this is what will charge your battery bank whilst it is connected: a MultiPlus 12/1600 with a 70 A charger charges a 200 Ah battery bank in around three hours.

What you’ll need to hand

A bank capable of delivering peak current — the 12V lithium batteries they do it without any trouble —, their fuse along with the battery and cable for the correct section, as per the cross-section table.
We distribute the MultiPlus range from Victron. Tell us your power consumption and which socket you’ll be plugging into, and we’ll tell you the model: free advice.