What Will a 1200 Watt Inverter Run?

A power inverter is an electrical device that converts one form of energy into another.

The most common type of power inverter converts your 12V DC (direct current) power from batteries into 120V AC (alternating current) power that can be used to run electrical devices.

Power inverters are available in a variety of sizes and wattage ratings, from small units that can power a few devices to larger units that can power an entire home.

However, in this post, we’ll be focusing on a 1200-watt power inverter. This is one of the most popular types of inverters in the market today.

They are perfect for cars, RVs, boats, and trucks and can run a variety of appliances and electronics.

If you are in the market for a new inverter, this guide will teach you everything you need to know about 1200-watt power inverters.

What Will a 1200-Watt Power Inverter Run?

If all you have is a 1200-watt power inverter, you can still enjoy AC power while on the go, or when there is a power outage. At 1200W, you can run quite a few things.

It can power a laptop, a gaming system, a small refrigerator, or a lamp. If you have ever been in an RV, you may have seen one of these inverters.

They are a great way to have access to power when you are away from a traditional power source.

Appliances 

Estimated Wattage 

Required Watts 

Coffee maker 450W 900W 
Blender 300W 650W 
Hot plate 500W 1,100W 
Refrigerator 550W1,200W
Laptop 75W 200W 
iPad and Tablet 20W 120W
Fan 120W 250W
TVs LED/LCD 50W to 250W 600W
Sound system 150W 350W

 

Power tools  

Estimated Wattage 

Required Watts 

Jig saw 300W 650W 
Drill  450W 800W 
Band saw 550W 1,200W 
Airless sprayer 500W1,000W
 

As you can see from the table, there are a number of things you can run on a 1200W power inverter. This includes some small appliances, lights, and other devices.

Of course, you’ll need to be mindful of the wattage draw of each item, as well as the total load, to avoid overloading the inverter.

But overall, a 1200W power inverter can be a great way to keep your devices and appliances running during a power outage.

How Much Power Does a 1200-Watt Inverter Use?

It’s most important to know how much power you could go with your 1200W. However, a 1200-watt inverter uses approximately 100 amps of power at 12 volts.

This means that it can supply enough power for around 10 devices that use 90 watts of power each. If you were to use this inverter for a laptop, it would use significantly less power than if you were to use it for a hair dryer.

By calculation:

Let’s say with 1200W ÷ 12 volts = 100 Amps

⇒ 100 Amp ÷ 60 mins = 1.67 Amps per minute

⇒ 1.67 Amps x 1 min use will give 1.67 Amp-hours consumed from the inverter per a minimum of 90 watts appliances used.

Should You Use a 1200-Watt Inverter in The Rv?

Yes! you can use a 1200W inverter for an RV, just that the wattage of the inverter you choose for your RV is important.

If you have a lot of appliances that use a lot of power, you’ll need a higher-wattage inverter.

If you only have a few things such as a coffee maker, a jigsaw, and a TV, you can get away with a lower-wattage inverter (1200W should be fine powering small appliances and tools in your RV).

So, you should always consider how many watts your appliances use and choose an inverter that can handle that much power.

How Much Power Does an Inverter Use at Idle?

The average idle power for an inverter ranges from 1.25 to 4.17 amps. The term idle current is used to describe the amount of current an inverter uses when it is not actively being used to power a device.

The idle current will be listed on the inverter’s label. In most cases, the idle current is a very small percentage of the inverter’s overall power draw.

However, it can still add up over time, so it’s important to be aware of it. If you’re not using your inverter regularly, you may want to consider unplugging it to save power.

How Much Power Does an Inverter Waste?

It may sound somehow to know that inverters do waste power, but how? Efficiency is the ratio of power out to power in, and this is always a percentage.

If the efficiency of your inverter is around 85%, meaning 15% of the power is lost. Nevertheless, the efficiency of an inverter varies with the load.

Typically, it will be highest at about two-thirds of the inverter’s capacity. This is important to consider when choosing an inverter, as a more efficient inverter will cause less power loss and thus lower energy costs.

It is also worth noting that the efficiency of an inverter can also vary depending on the type of load being placed on it.

For example, lighter loads will typically see higher efficiency levels from the inverter than heavier loads.

What Size Battery Do I Need to Run a 1200 W Inverter?

To run a 1200W inverter, you will need a battery that is at least 12V and has a capacity of at least 100Ah. A higher voltage and capacity battery will be able to run the inverter for a longer period of time.

Finally

In conclusion, the 1200-watt inverter can power a total of 600 watts at a time. It’s ideal for small electronics like TVs, microwaves, laptops, and so forth. If you need to power something larger, you’ll need a more powerful inverter.

1 thought on “What Will a 1200 Watt Inverter Run?”

  1. My boat has a 36 volt trolling motor. Its connected to a 36 volt 63 HA battery. My problem is the battery goes dead after 6 hours and I need additional time. This battery is currently being charged by shore power only. This charger is an 8 amp charger. Can I install an inverter to this system connected to my 12 volt onboard batteries; if so what size inverter would I need?

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