How to choose the right inverter for your boat?
Inverter Size and Cable Calculator
***For Seawatt Inverter Only***
Before using the calculator, make sure to:
- Inventory your electrical needs by listing all appliances and their wattage or amperage requirements.
- Check your battery capacity to ensure it can handle the total power draw.
- Consider the surge power required for starting appliances with motors.
- Select the correct cable size to minimize voltage drop and maximize efficiency.
Inverter size calculator
Cable size calculator
Choosing the right Pure Sine Wave Inverter for your boat
Why a Pure Sine Wave Inverter?
When it comes to powering your boat's electrical systems, choosing the right inverter is crucial. A Pure Sine Wave (PSW) inverter is the top choice for ensuring that your onboard electronics run smoothly and efficiently. Unlike Modified Sine Wave (MSW) or Square Wave (SQW) inverters, a PSW inverter provides clean and stable power, similar to the electricity you get from your household outlets.
Understanding your power needs
Before selecting an inverter, it’s important to understand the power requirements of the devices you plan to use. Electrical devices can be categorized into three types:
- Resistive Loads: These include items like lighting and electric heaters, which have a constant power draw. For these, you should choose an inverter 1.2 to 1.5 times more powerful than the device’s nominal consumption.
- Inductive Loads: Devices like pumps and refrigerators, which require more power at startup, need an inverter 2 to 5 times more powerful than the nominal consumption.
- Capacitive Loads: These include electronics like computers and TVs, which can create high surge currents. An inverter 2 to 7 times more powerful than the nominal consumption is recommended.
Appliance power consumption and surge power requirements
Understanding the power consumption and surge power requirements of various appliances is key to selecting the right inverter. Below is a table that helps simplify your decision-making process:
| Appliance | Running Power (Watts) | Coefficient | Surge Power (Watts) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🧹 Vacuum Cleaner | 600 - 1200 | 2.0 | 1200 - 2400 |
| ☕ Coffee Machine | 800 - 1200 | 1.5 | 1200 - 1800 |
| 🔋 Battery Charger | 50 - 100 | 1.2 | 60 - 120 |
| ❄️ Air Conditioner | 1000 - 2000 | 2.0 | 2000 - 4000 |
| 🚿 Water Heater | 1500 - 3000 | 1.2 | 1800 - 3600 |
| 🔥 Electric Oil Heater | 1000 - 2000 | 1.2 | 1200 - 2400 |
| ⚙️ Air Compressor | 750 - 1500 | 3.0 | 2250 - 4500 |
| 🧊 Freezer | 100 - 800 | 2.5 | 250 - 2000 |
| 🍧 Ice Cube Machine | 200 - 500 | 2.0 | 400 - 1000 |
| 🍦 Gelato Machine | 150 - 200 | 1.5 | 225 - 300 |
| 🔥 Heat Gun | 1200 - 2000 | 1.2 | 1440 - 2400 |
| 🍟 French Fries Machine | 800 - 1500 | 1.5 | 1200 - 2250 |
| 🍕 Microwave | 1000 - 1500 | 1.5 | 1500 - 2250 |
| 🍳 Oven | 2000 - 5000 | 1.2 | 2400 - 6000 |
| 🎶 Hi-Fi System | 200 - 400 | 1.2 | 240 - 480 |
| 📺 TV | 100 - 300 | 1.2 | 120 - 360 |
| 🖨️ Printer | 50 - 100 | 1.5 | 75 - 150 |
| 💻 Computer | 100 - 300 | 1.2 | 120 - 360 |
| 💡 Halogen Light | 300 - 500 | 1.2 | 360 - 600 |
| 🧺 Washing Machine | 500 - 1500 | 2.0 | 1000 - 3000 |
| 🌀 Dryer | 2000 - 4000 | 1.2 | 2400 - 4800 |
| 🔪 Grinder (Meuleuse) | 500 - 1500 | 2.0 | 1000 - 3000 |
| ⚙️ Angle Grinder | 800 - 2000 | 2.0 | 1600 - 4000 |
| ⚡ Electric Motor | 500 - 2000 | 3.0 | 1500 - 6000 |
| 🛠️ Drill (Electric Tool) | 500 - 1500 | 2.5 | 1250 - 3750 |
| 🛠️ Pump | 500 - 1500 | 2.5 | 1250 - 3750 |
| 💧 Industrial Pump | 1500 - 3000 | 3.0 | 4500 - 9000 |
| 😷 Sander | 300 - 600 | 2.0 | 600 - 1200 |
| 📐 Planer | 500 - 1500 | 2.0 | 1000 - 3000 |
| 🔪 Saw | 1000 - 3000 | 2.5 | 2500 - 7500 |
| 🧺 Tumble Dryer | 2000 - 4000 | 1.5 | 3000 - 6000 |
| 🌬️ Fan | 100 - 300 | 1.2 | 120 - 360 |
