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Is this inverter good for my campervan conversion?

JaseyB

JaseyB

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Sep 22, 2021
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I am looking to add an inverter to my campervan setup and have been looking around.
I looked on here for recommended brands and items but there doesn't seem to be any standout as "standard" and most just say "find a nice one" or similar.

To this end I had a look around and have kinda settled on this one:

3000W - 24V Pure Sine Wave Sunshine Power Inverter - Sunshine Solar - Sunshine Solar Limited

Purchase the 3000W - 24V Pure Sine Wave Sunshine Power Inverter, suited for sensitive electronic equipment, allowing motors to run faster, quieter and cooler
www.sunshinesolar.co.uk

but I don' t know what to look for really.

I have a 24V battery on the way to me (https://roamerbatteries.com/shop/p/24-230ah) and a Victron SmartSolar 150/45-Tr to charge this
I also need to find a dc/dc charger to add in and was also wondering if they have a combined system somewhere maybe but couldn't see anything.

Really I'm hoping that someone can tell me i am not wasting my money and put my mind at ease that this inverter is actually a decent one.

Thanks,
Jason
 
Hey guys, any thoughts on this would be much appreciated. All new to this solar world ;) ? (y)
 
Have you considered how you will charge the batteries other than solar? You can have a separate inverter and (mains) charger, but you can also have a combination inverter/charger. Can save some space and wiring complexity that way. Given that you've already gone victron with the solar charger perhaps one of their 24v options would be appropriate? They have compact 24v options from 800W up to 2000W, and a 3000W if that's crucial.
 
I have no experience with that inverter, but converting your funny money to my American money :p shows me that it's not a terribly expensive inverter for the wattage output. Compared to say a Victron Multiplus 3000va, it's about 1/2 to 1/3 the price. The Victron does add an AC charger as well, in case you want to charge your batteries up using shore power when available.
 
jameshowison said:
Have you considered how you will charge the batteries other than solar? You can have a separate inverter and (mains) charger, but you can also have a combination inverter/charger. Can save some space and wiring complexity that way. Given that you've already gone victron with the solar charger perhaps one of their 24v options would be appropriate? They have compact 24v options from 800W up to 2000W, and a 3000W if that's crucial.
Click to expand...

3000W is "fairly" crucial. I was a bit put off by the price of the combined charger/ inverter. Doesn't seem worth for only the ease of install.
I am planning a charger running through my alternator but haven't tied anything down there yet. There will be no mains charging.

Are these things all pretty much the same?
 
JaseyB said:
3000W is "fairly" crucial. I was a bit put off by the price of the combined charger/ inverter. Doesn't seem worth for only the ease of install.
I am planning a charger running through my alternator but haven't tied anything down there yet. There will be no mains charging.

Are these things all pretty much the same?
Click to expand...
I hear yah. FWIW (and that ain't much) they do also have a transfer switch in the inverter/chargers, so it's sort of 3-in-1, together with software that can interact with the solar chargers etc. But it's definitely more expensive :)
 
time2roll said:
I assume the inverter is fine as long as it is not run near the max for extended periods. Try to stay under 2400 watts.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Is this for all inverters or specifically this one? Is there a better one you might recommend?
 
jameshowison said:
I hear yah. FWIW (and that ain't much) they do also have a transfer switch in the inverter/chargers, so it's sort of 3-in-1, together with software that can interact with the solar chargers etc. But it's definitely more expensive :)
Click to expand...

I feel it might be more suitable for a home install. Feels a bit OTT for a van setup maybe?
 
JaseyB said:
Thanks. Is this for all inverters or specifically this one? Is there a better one you might recommend?
Click to expand...
Not familiar with what is available in the UK. I like my GoPower (USA) inverter and no idea if there is a UK version. Victron and MasterVolt are very good and come at a price premium.

Plenty of junk direct from China that is barely good for half the rated power.

Sorry no actual recommendation. If three links were given maybe something would pop out as good, bad or ugly.

My 80% recommendation is for most inverters depending on the power factor of the load. Even the Victron 3000 watt is just 2400va. So a resistance heater such as to make coffee is easier than driving the magnetron of a microwave due to the power factor and reactance.
 
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JaseyB said:
Thanks. Is this for all inverters or specifically this one? Is there a better one you might recommend?
Click to expand...
That inverter is probably not made by that company and it will just be a rebadged unit. The link below has a unit through Amazon and yes there are some bad reviews on the brand as with all types but for this model there appears to be mostly good reviews.


You can also buy it cheaper from other sellers. If you do buy one then test it right away to make sure it achieves output.
 
I guess you are in the UK with a 230v AC system. If the Install is permanent, feeding multiple appliances and outlets, then to comply with UK regulations for vehicle installations, the inverter must be neutral to protective earth conductor bonded . Not all inverters have this capability. Its also necessary to fit a RCD at the innverter output.
If the instalation could be considered 'portable' with a single double insulated appliance plugged directly into the Inverter then there is a much lower risk of electrocution.
Recommended are inverters from Victron and Sterling Power . The ideal is a Victron Multiplus inverter charger with auto change over when shore power is available.
You may wish to disregard regulations for 230 volt installs, since for private use there is no legal obligation in the UK ( that exists in many other countries) to comply or have system testing.
There are numerous 'van life' you tube installations that are unsafe and unfortunately widely coppied.

An incorrectly installed 230 v AC system could kill you or any one standing outside the van touching the van metal.

Mike
 
mikefitz said:
I guess you are in the UK with a 230v AC system. If the Install is permanent, feeding multiple appliances and outlets, then to comply with UK regulations for vehicle installations, the inverter must be neutral to protective earth conductor bonded . Not all inverters have this capability. Its also necessary to fit a RCD at the innverter output.
If the instalation could be considered 'portable' with a single double insulated appliance plugged directly into the Inverter then there is a much lower risk of electrocution.
Recommended are inverters from Victron and Sterling Power . The ideal is a Victron Multiplus inverter charger with auto change over when shore power is available.
You may wish to disregard regulations for 230 volt installs, since for private use there is no legal obligation in the UK ( that exists in many other countries) to comply or have system testing.
There are numerous 'van life' you tube installations that are unsafe and unfortunately widely coppied.

An incorrectly installed 230 v AC system could kill you or any one standing outside the van touching the van metal.

Mike
Click to expand...
Hi Mike as usual great points that you have picked out. I’m from Australia but visiting the UK at the moment although currently in France.

What I have seen from two friends here is they just run one outlet from the inverter for the 240v and so only use that single outlet. They do not connect to the 240v caravan or mobile home circuit.

What many of us do in Australia is run a lead from the inverter to the caravan 240v inlet but as you know a fault may occur that will not trip the RCD. We therefore install a RVD to overcome this issue.

Of course we still need to be mindful of the wattage of appliances that we use so generally use just one outlet at a time. For larger appliances. My wife sometimes forgets though :rolleyes:.

https://www.rvdsafe.com.au/

Tim
 
Hi Tim, thanks for the comments. I understand in your part of the world there are more stringent regulations regarding inverter use in RVs, following fatalities in the past.
The RVD protection device is not marketed in Europe so we have to rely on RCD and inverter internal bond , neutral to protective earth conductor. This, provided the vans metal is also bonded to protective earth, gives protection.
The trend in the UK, where there is no mandatory testing or need for a professional install, is to throw together a 230 volt sytem, mixing the inverter and shore power with little regard for the regulations. You tubes poor standards just keep being repeated .
The issue is compounded due to low cost badly designed and constructed inverters on Ebay and Amazon.

Regards, Mike
 
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