Inverter Mistakes! - Why we chose a Budget Inverter for our campervan

[@trevortrevortsr2]

I use a Lvyuan inverter like yours but 1500w (3,000 peak) like yours in our van and it has worked perfectly for 3 years - we have things like coffee maker, kettle, toaster and microwave all in the 600 - 1200 watt range - we have a rule only one on at a time - it draws on a 12v 310 amp battery and there are 280watts of solar - it meets all our needs we never need hook up - we use excess to heat the 4 gallon water tank

[@ExploreVanUK]

That’s great to hear. Thanks for sharing.

[@aaronblueandme8127]

By cheap, buy twice, I think is the motto. I made this mistake with my first solar charge controller. After upgrading to a victron unit, it's like night and day. I understand not throwing money away, but lots of the Chinese stuff is really bad or a fire risk at worst.

[@ExploreVanUK]

I don’t disagree but with this one we can buy 4 times and still have saved money. For how we’re using I just can’t justify the spend on Victron or Sterling. Were it only double it would be a different consideration. As per the video if we were looking for one to use continuously and particularly when we weren’t with it we’d be more worried but so far 6 months in it’s still working well.

[@chuckmaddison2924]

I have a " portable" sure 😢Honda inverter generator . It's brilliant but heavy. I use a lot around the garden instead of long cables and is great for lighting when the power goes out.

[@dustydawson8977]

​@@ExploreVanUKso what you learned from your mistakes is, you went through many inverters to figure out, cheap isn't always a good idea,you learned square, and modified sine wave sucks. But you did not learn the difference between, high frequency, and low frequency. High frequency units do not like the high inrush draw of the of the items you wanted to run, if you want to run 1000w continuous, you need 2500w continuous in high frequency, that's if you want it to last. Low frequency inverters are built like the grid,transformer based and pure sine wave, they are not bothered buy inrush,and will outlast high frequency 5 to one. 1000w will run 1000w day in and day out all day everyday. Last is idol consumption and efficiency, how much is it pulling from the batteries just being on. 30w idol per hr x 24hrs is 720w x 7days is 5 kw a week, that's basically 5 times your battery bank. The victron is around 11w, 11 x 24 = 264w x7 days is 1.8 kw. So you still have much learning to do, but most just settle for cheap, not realizing it's costing you in the end. Victron has already figured all this out for you. I don't work for victron nor do a I own victron. But I do own 2 low frequency solar generators, and they idol at 13w, on 15kw of batteries, luckily I researched first to edumacate(

[@ExploreVanUK]

@@dustydawson8977 Thanks for sharing, whilst we don’t mention frequency specifically we do mention the Waveform which essentially dictates the frequency, so our choice of a Pure Sinewave inverter is Low Frequency (though as you rightly call out it is not a Victron), Just to summarise the differences to make it easier to understand as both have their Pros and Cons:

 Low-frequency inverters: Efficient, particularly with high loads - usually 90%+
 Cope well with surge Bulkier and Heavier Often have higher peak capability compared to continuous capability
 Generally more expensive
 Pure SInewave

 High-frequency inverters
 Still efficient - often 85-90%
 Produce less heat which often gives a longer lifespan Cope less well with surge Lighter and more compact Often have a lower peak capability when compared to continuous capability
 More budget friendly 
 Modified Sine Wave When it comes to idle (note not idol) consumption for us, as it is only switched on when we are actually using it, is irrelevant. We do make it clear in the video that if we were looking for an inverter that we would leave on all the time it may change our decision.

[@FathomlessJoy]

Thanks for this video! Have you tested the sine wave? I have an electric blanket (second one, because I thought the first was broken) trying to run through my inverters on boat, which are modified wave. I need a new inverter with pure sine wave just to run this blanket, which sux (my current inverters run everything except the blanket.). This priced on this Lvyuan are good, I just have to ensure it is PSW. Thanks!

[@ExploreVanUK]

I don't remember actually putting the Lvyuan on an Oscilloscope as it is sold as a Pure Sinewave and we've never had the problems that we have had in the past with Modified Sinewave Inverters. When I get chance I can pop it on one though. Does the blanket have electronic controls? I wouldn't have expected an electric blanket with manual / mechanical control to have any issue with a modified wave inverter.

[@FathomlessJoy]

@@ExploreVanUK Thanks for the fast reply! Yes, electronic controls on the blanket. These modern electric blankets are finicky! No rush on the test. I just put in a low bid on the Lvyuan 1000w and it was accepted. So I guess I will wait tell it arrives and see. Another KZbinr tested a Lvyuan 500 on o-scope and it showed pure sine wave. So I am hoping the 1000 model will be similarly trustworthy (inverters on Ebay are like the Wild Wild West). Thanks again!

[@joemorris5288]

Hi, thanks for the quick reply, I think you may be on the right track with the size of the cables. It worked OK with a light, another thought is it seems to be constantly charging.

[@rfitzgerald2004]

Good advice and thanks for sharing your experiences. I can also recommend Flamezum as a brand which appears better than many, I've got a 3500w constant (7000w peak) unit which has works well, I've pushed it as far as 3800w which it was able to sustain for long enough to boil a kettle and it didn't even complain, though goes without saying you need some hefty batteries and cables to run that sort of load (I've got a bank of 4x 12V batteries, plus the van starter battery and the engine running at the same time). Overall, a good way to judge quality is with the weight. Many of the crap ones are light enough to feel like empty boxes, any decent inverter should have a decent weight to it, see if the product listing shows the weight and compare between models. Heavier the better in my opinion!

[@ExploreVanUK]

Thanks for sharing!

[@joemorris5288]

Hi, thanks for getting back to me. it's a Mercury 1000w soft start, tried it on a 600w hoover and various other appliances

[@ExploreVanUK]

Ok there are only really 2 reasons an inverter should trip off. 1. the current you are taking exceeds the limit of the inverter. Most electrical items (like hoovers) have a surge at start up so even though the continuous rating is 600w it could surge as high as maybe 1200w on start up. Most inverters give a peak and surge rating but I can’t see a peak rating for the Mercury 1000w on the Amazon listing so it may be you are exceeding it. 2. The voltage provided to the inverter is too low. This could happen if either batteries are not charged fully or are old or not able to cope with the current demand. It’s also possible the cable to the inverter is under sized and causing the voltage to drop so tripping the inverter. I would start by plugging in something very low wattage such as a light or desk fan and see if it works. If not it could be a faulty inverter. I’d then get a multimeter on the input terminals of the inverter and see what the voltage reads with nothing connected and then as you add the small load and then again when you add something bigger. If the voltage drops below 12 volts it’s probably the voltage triggering the cut off so check your batteries and cabling. If you are not sure how to use a multimeter then. Check out this video. How to use a multimeter - Voltage, Polarity, Resistance and Current kzbin.info/www/bejne/invSe4etmcuWeMU If you’ve not got one then check out this one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZubpWCkbLifga8si=A2fHcYZ2gL6GjA0i Or this one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3jGZaSagct6kNksi=bTejSazXZyjgHt0G

[@miguelsalami]

I like your way of thinking 👍👍

[@harryharker9564]

I have never used an inverter and found this very useful. Iwill return to it again before purchasing one Thanks

[@NCTurbulence]

Great Video and Info, Thanks What I liked was that the video is only 6 minutes long and not 30 or 40+ like some :)

[@robertlee-fp6zo]

I have an 80w panel running through a sergeant unit. I want to add another but NOT running with the one we have. What would you recommend please

[@franklinbruce7121]

❤️ the content …… The realness can be felt …… Helpful in future inverter decisions ……

[@MrX-bp9ty]

You're missing one serious point. These cheap Chinese imported inverters that haven't passed EU/UK regulations are prone to setting on fire. Extremely dangerous. You can't buy twice if you're not here to tell the tale!!!

[@ExploreVanUK]

Hi thanks for watching the video, you may have missed our comment at 5:22 where we say that part of our decision making is based on the fact our inverter is only used while we are present, so if there was a problem it could be isolated quickly exactly for this point. If we were looking for an inverter that was running continuously or when we weren't present then that would probably make us consider a higher-quality option.

[@trevortrevortsr2]

That brand is EU approved

[@UKsebstack]

Thank you, excellent approach to reviewing!

[@johnshaw359]

Buy a s/h Antares/Cotek inverter of a suitable size if you want something made for industrial/commercial/daily use without breaking-the-bank.

[@ExploreVanUK]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Theoverthinker81]

I bought cheap so went through 3 solar controllers and 4 inverters. There's just no way I'd do the same again.

[@ExploreVanUK]

Yeah, for solar controllers that are running all the time (and the benefit of MPPT over PWM) I did too. And were we using the inverter continuously or when we weren’t in the Van I probably would have gone for a more expensive brand. But for how we use it, just when cooking, our £95 (currently £68) Amazon 2000 watt. Is still working great 2 years on. amzn.to/3zx2KiG

[@cleversolarpower]

Buy once, cry once 😄, don't forget to add the standy consumption into your calculations.

[@ExploreVanUK]

Agree it is worth considering standby consumption if you plan to leave the unit on all the time. As ours is isolated when we are not using it, it is never on standby.

[@wfdTamar]

I pretty much agree, except I'd get a low powered quality one for stuff like laptops as they aren't very expensive for a good one. I used a Victron Phoenix 250VA for a MacBook Air (now have a MacBook Pro and can use the inverter of a cigarette USB-C).

[@ericklein5097]

There’s no inverting when you turn the 12V DC into a PD charging protocol. It’s still DC

[@wfdTamar]

@@ericklein5097 I think my ‘inverter’ was an autocorrect or tired mistake (it was a while ago, can’t remember). I think it should have been ‘converter in’ or maybe ‘charger in’.

[@FabiodeSaldanha]

Pls go over exactly how you charge a macbook with 12v. would be super helpful!

[@ExploreVanUK]

Depends on the MacBook. Let me know what model you have and I’ll let you know.

[@FabiodeSaldanha]

​@@ExploreVanUK Oh thanks for the quick reply! 1x Macbook pro 14"Apple M1 pro I use it wtih a 17" portable monitor attached to it USB-C 1x Macbook pro 13" 2020 Apple M1 2x phones. 12 and 12 pro

[@FabiodeSaldanha]

Your video was really a eye opener. Made me question the point of inverters. We could literally power nearly everything except maybe our Blender and... Starlink.

[@ExploreVanUK]

@FabiodeSaldanha thanks. They are easier than the older MagSafe charged MacBooks. All you need is one of these for each MacBook. amzn.to/49DVspQ The Phones will be fine from a standard 12v QC USB adapter like these. amzn.to/3JfjigR

[@FabiodeSaldanha]

Thank you!

[@joemorris5288]

Hi, my set up is 2x 115amp, 550 lead acid batteries connected to a 1000 w inverter but when I plug anything into the inverter it trip and cuts out. have onjus bought the van with this system so can't give you any more info.

[@ExploreVanUK]

Hi, what are you plugging into the inverter? Do you know the make of the inverter?

[@David_11111]

nothing with a budget inverter even less if you don't use it much, i am at present looking at usb-c charging for my laptop any suggestions anyone ?

[@ExploreVanUK]

We use one of these for our MacBook Air amzn.to/3VKJvYP

[@ExploreVanUK]

Or if you want a bit more power you could try one of these amzn.to/3EWxEQD

[@pijanysamuraj]

hey men, you my last hope! I need some info/ advice. please help me out. I bought old ducato camper to live full time for few months. Want to get powerstation like AFERIY P210 but its drawing like 1000 from the wall. So if i plug it in to my car main battery with Inventer it could draw too much right? I want to ad solar aswell. but that ac charging gives me hedache! please help 🙏

[@ExploreVanUK]

Hi, I have not used that specific mak and model, but all the Power Stations I have used limit the 12 volt input charging from a car accessory socket to 10 Amps, so that it doesn't blow the fuse in the socket. If you do look to charge it using Mains power via an inverter from your vehicle battery you will need to make sure the Alternator, Cable and Inverter are up to the job. The Allpowers Power stations we use uk.iallpowers.com/?ref=NbiG0yPpKhVEEL can be set to different speeds / levels of charging power from mains in the settings so this could help.

[@pijanysamuraj]

@@ExploreVanUK thanks for the reply, does this R2500 can run the whole van ( fridge, lights etc)?

[@silvercamper649]

Hi Sorry bit random Watched your video on 3 router Got one and it's brilliant With out the modified ports but will get the extra ports next year. Thanks for you unbiased videos Now I'm going to invest in a inverter. Are the roamer batteries any good Also saw the one about the budget antennas and brought the pair fir £13 but still yet to try them.

[@ExploreVanUK]

Thanks for the feedback! We’ve found our Roamer battery great, really does take the worry out of having enough power for us and is a different world to the AGMs we’ve had in the past.

[@carolinedeater7391]

Not even worth using an inverter for a laptop, dc dc converter is more efficient

[@johnbuffaloiam9741]

Could you sit in your van all day charging and working on your laptop? What is the best inverter

[@ExploreVanUK]

I would suggest Victron are what most would class as the flagship make. What you can do with it depends on your battery capacity and charging method. Have a look at our 12 volts basic video here for more info. kzbin.info/www/bejne/naGrc5tsedSlfa8

[@dontolhurst9887]

I bought a Renogy 3000 w investor charger and it never worked properly and service sucked.

[@ExploreVanUK]

Thanks for sharing, I have heard similar experiences from others too.

[@SadXAdam]

Hello! Thanks so much for the video. Can I ask what USB-C charger you now have for your laptops since you’ve stopped using the inverter? We need to power a MacBook Pro (2017) and a MacBook Air (2020). Many thanks in advance!!

[@ExploreVanUK]

Hi, we use one of these. amzn.to/3P8V7Dn

[@Homested_Happenings]

I ❤ my Victron. Buy once. Cry once

[@David_11111]

yay

[@MikeJones-rk1un]

We chose this because we don't care if it fails. 😂

[@ExploreVanUK]

👍 thank fully 2 years on ours is still going strong.

[@saxmusicmail]

"Modified Sine Wave" is a very coarse stair step waveform, not as nearly as good as shown in the diagram in this video. Useless for anything more than an circular saw. For any modern electronics you want only "Pure Sine Wave".

[@ExploreVanUK]

Thanks for your comment. Modified Sine wave isn’t a definitive term and the “quality” of the wave depends on the inverter and how much effort has been put into the wave modification. You’re correct that some can be very course and others are more refined. As you can see in the video of the one we demonstrated (the wave form shown is the representation of the actual wave from an oscilloscope) can run a microwave, so I wouldn’t say it was useless for anything more than a circular saw. They are also not very efficient when running an AC motor so not ideal for a circular saw. Toasters, kettles, water heaters etc are fine on even a course Modified Sinewave. I think we’ve made a reasonable representation from our experience of using Square, Modified and Pure Sine wave Inverters and which we feel are best.

[@MrFryfish]

Visitors beware, big time misleading review! sells man review.

[@ExploreVanUK]

How do you mean? Can you share more detail as to what you feel is misleading?

[@MrFryfish]

@@ExploreVanUK you show one model of Victron and no word about Victron, annd looks like you are bashing them.. or any other. Then let me tell, what fits you might not fit others situation. And you do not go at all to that area of explaining to your audience.. You, just try to promote your own stuff. Should I explain more?

[@ExploreVanUK]

Sorry you don’t like the style of our video. As we only endorse products we’ve tried and used ourself we are selective. The video isn’t about specific products it’s about our decision to go with a budget inverter rather than an expensive brand. We also explain if our circumstances were different it might change our decision. We don’t sell any products we just share our opinions and experience of products we use or have been sent to try. Sounds like you might be better off with another channel rather than ours. Safe travels.

[@oz2pe]

@@MrFryfish Maybe you should watch the video a few more times?. I understood very well what he meant by his statements.

[@MrFryfish]

​@@oz2pe thank you for taking your time to reply. ...Could you tell, hand on experience with 1000W puresine wave inverter, what electrical equpiment have you power up successfully and from what state of the battery (charging state, measured capacity, SOH..) and how long you could run/use that certain electrical equipment? After that I will consider a good an reliable answer to me and others. ..Anything else you would say it is a nonsense and with no support to the channel owner.. Above I just express my opinion about the way a product is presented, that of coursedeserve it's presence on the market but as everything else..