We usually think of 1000-watt inverters when it comes to powering appliances. However, a 400W inverter may effectively power several appliances. Our guide will focus on what will a 400-watt power inverter run. There are countless appliances on the market with varying power consumption.
Key Takeaways:
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The 400-watt power inverter has a restricted power supply capability. Therefore, it’s challenging to determine which appliances you can safely connect to your power inverter. Let’s find out what this 400-watt power supply is capable of if you don’t need to run intensive energy appliances.
What Will a 400-Watt Power Inverter Run?
A 400-watt inverter can handle as many devices as you like. However, ensure their total continuous power consumption is 400 watts. The surge power must be under 800 watts (peak power). Of course, for more power-demanding appliances and power tools, you should look for inverters with considerably more wattage.
A 400-watt power inverter is compact, lightweight, and portable, making them ideal for use in an RV or when camping. It allows you to run 110V AC devices off a 12V battery pack.
Below is a list of typical appliances that a 400-watt inverter can power.
Television (TV)
Watching television is a common thing for some folks. The good news is that the average television only consumes 80–400 watts of power. So you won’t miss any action unless it’s one of those power-guzzler devices.
One of the primary benefits of the most popular LED and LCD TV technologies today is the incredible optimum efficiency with which they operate. There is a significant disparity in consumption, which depends heavily on the screen size of your TV and the type of display technology you’re using. Regarding energy efficiency, LCD and CRT televisions are at the bottom of the heap.
Blenders
A small blender, such as the kind you’d use for making soups and milkshakes, needs between 200 and 400 watts to work correctly. So a power inverter that can handle 400 watts should suffice. Other blenders, however, may require more than 750 watts for more burdensome chores around the house.
Lights
Most modern LED light bulbs are super efficient, last longer, and reduce power consumption by a significant amount. They are compatible with 400-watt inverters. But what’s even more intriguing is the low-wattage bulbs that put out enough light to illuminate an entire house. A 3-watt bulb, for instance, can provide the same illumination as a 30-watt fluorescent.
Laptop
The laptop’s overall power consumption is proportional to its screen size. Power consumption for most small laptops is around 50 watts. However, larger, more powerful ones are around 100 watts. With a 400-watt power converter, you can confidently use your laptop anywhere.
Cell Phones and Tablets
A cell phone uses notably less power than most other electrical appliances. Power consumption during charging is roughly 2 to 6 watts. It’s negligible for an inverter with 400 watts.
Humidifiers
The power consumption of a humidifier ranges from 20 to 50 watts. Therefore, you can power it with inverters of a smaller size.
Food Mixers
The mixer is another essential tool in the kitchen because it helps you whip ingredients quickly and efficiently. A typical home mixer uses only about 300 watts of power. You can use your 400-watt inverter to run it.
Electric Blankets
A 400-watt inverter can run an electric blanket that requires 120V AC. That’s because the average electric blanket uses approximately fifty percent of the wattage—200 watts).
Paper Shredders
A paper shredder destroys sensitive and confidential papers. Given its low power consumption (around 200-250 watts), a 400-watt inverter should work fine.
Household Fan
Different ceiling fan types require 50 to 120 watts and work with a 400-watt inverter. Wall fans need 45 to 60 watts. However, box fans use 200 watts.
What Else Will a 400-Watt Power Inverter Run?
You can also use a 400-watt inverter to power the following appliances:
- Freezers
- Mini fridge
- MP3 Players
- Digital cameras
- Portable stereos
- Low-power tools
- Some gaming consoles
- Some portable coffee makers
- Incandescent lights and LED
How Many Batteries Do You Need to Run a 400-Watt Inverter?
It takes a minimum of a 200ah battery to power a 400-watt load for 5 hours. The number of devices currently loaded into the system will determine the correct answer. Consider the load, desired runtime, and battery depth discharge. Inverter power consumption multiplied by operational time yields battery size.
If you want to run a 400W inverter with a 200W load for 2 hours, you will require a 12V 35ah battery capacity. The conversion formulas are:
Amps = Watts / Volts
Watts = Volts x Amps
We’re using a 200-watt load in this example. Using a 12V battery results in the following calculation:
16.6 = 200 / 12
A 200-watt inverter load draws 16.6 amp-hours from the battery. You require 33.2 amps to operate your appliance for two hours.
16.6 x 2 = 33.2
The closest size battery available is 35ah. A 35ah 12V battery can power a 200W inverter for 2 hours.
The 24-volt battery option is also available. Batteries with a higher voltage may hold twice as much power as a 12V one, making them perfect for demanding applications.
Suppose you subject the inverter to a 400-watt load for five hours. We need to know how many batteries you’ll need.
2000 watts = 400 watts x 5 hours
166.6 = 2000 / 12
To power a 400-watt appliance for five hours, you’ll need 166.6 amps. Considering there is no such thing as a 166.6 battery, a 12V 200ah is your best choice.
What Is the Best Battery System for RV?
The Battle Born LiFePO4. This RV battery system employs the most advanced lithium-ion deep-cycle battery technology available. The initial cost may be high, but the product’s exceptional longevity will save money over time. One can get between 3000 to 5000 cycles out of it.
Battle Born batteries have an infinite mounting capacity and weigh one-third less than lead acid batteries. They have a battery management system that helps protect your RV against the most prevalent causes of battery failure, like temperature volatility. One more benefit is that they are manufactured from renewable resources that are 100% safe and non-toxic.
Why Do I Need an Inverter in My Pickup Truck?
You need an inverter to transform your truck’s direct current (DC) power into alternating current (AC). It can then power smaller electronic appliances. AC power and DC power are not interchangeable. Therefore, you need to convert it before you plug AC-powered tools into a DC outlet and vice versa (see also power inverters for semi-trucks).
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line inverter for your semi-truck, you’ll want to check out the 5000-watt pure sine wave inverter.
To prevent the car battery from being drained over time, turn off the inverter while no appliances are connected.
Will a 400 Watt Inverter Run a TV?
Earlier, we mentioned that a 400-watt inverter could power several televisions in our homes. A 400-watt inverter should be able to power any television, particularly newer and more energy-efficient inverters. However, you only require that much inverter power if you are trying to operate other appliances, like a PS4.
FAQs
How Long Will a 12V Car Battery Run a 400-Watt Inverter?
A 400-watt inverter runs for around 55 minutes on a 100 Ah AGM Starter battery. A fully loaded 400-watt inverter will have a much shorter run time on a car battery. Car batteries are starter batteries that are not designed to be completely discharged. It is advisable to keep the car engine running when using the inverter on the battery. Thus, the inverter won’t be able to drain the battery to the extent that the car won’t start.
How Many Amps Does a 400-Watt Inverter Draw when Running?
No-load current draw for a 400-watt inverter can be as low as 0.4 to 0.6 amps, depending on the inverter’s layout. Higher efficiency inverters have a much lower battery current drain. The 400-watt inverter should draw 33.3 amps from a 12V battery at full load.
To prevent the car battery from being drained over time, turn off the inverter while no appliances are connected. Make use of the inverter’s power-saving setting, if available. When this power-saving mode is active, the current drawn by some inverters can drop to 0.25 amps or less.
How Long Can a 100AH Lithium Battery Run an Appliance that Requires 400W?
A 100Ah12V Lithium battery could power a 400W device for 2–2 ½ hours at 80% discharge. Also, a 100Ah 12V deep-cycle lithium battery can power a 400W appliance for an hour at the standard 50% Depth of Discharge.
Do I Need a Fuse Between the Battery and the Inverter?
Yes, you need a fuse between the AC/DC inverter and the battery. The fuse will protect the battery from exploding in the event of a short in the inverter. It will break the connection quickly enough to save the wires from overheating and catching fire.
