I’ve recently replaced the fading gel batteries with 2 x Sterling 100ah lithium and changed the split charge relay to a Votronic 50a BtB. Thanks for all the help on that. With 200w solar all seems to be well. I’m now wondering about upgrading the 500w Victron inverter to a beefier one. At present just use it to charge the electric bike batteries-500w. However, as we have no oven in the James Cook and just a slowish 2 burner hob, I’m wondering whether the new lithium would be enough to run a potable induction hob or an air fryer. If that’s doable, then what size of Inverter? I’d prefer to stick to Victron and space for it is likely to be an issue. Any thoughts? Thanks.
Help with size of Inverter
- Thread starter Adrianlle
- Start date
Have you looked at remoska…? Do a search on here and you’ll see lots of info and then you’ll only need a 1000w inverter. The remoska is low wattage so will be kinda on your batteries and people rave about them on here…
Thanks for this. Yes, I had wondered about the standard size Remoska as an alternative. The gas hob takes ages to boil a kettle so I have been thinking of a Sterling portable induction hob as an alternative. I suspect that would need at least a 1500w inverter. So having got to that point in my rambling thought, next wondered how much bigger an inverter would be needed for an air fryer. Will probably end up with a Remoska and a Victron 1200w as you suggest ( and sell the present Victron 500w on here). But interested in what people think / are doing. Thanks
To small, a 1600va victron will do a induction to about 1200w, I know I had one. But have gone up to a 2000va as we run a 1400w oven as well, and the 1600va was to small for the oven.
The two li batteries can feed about 100A continuous for long cooking, so I would suggest, with what you got, a 1600va victron will be your match, no smaller as you will regret it later.
The two li batteries can feed about 100A continuous for long cooking, so I would suggest, with what you got, a 1600va victron will be your match, no smaller as you will regret it later.
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We run a vango sizzle induction hob off a 1200va Victron. It’s only 800w so not as fast as the bigger ones but does the job fine.
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This is v interesting. The Victron bumph on line says that the C12/1200 has a continuous output of 1200w and the C/1600 a 1600w continuous output. So are you saying that isn’t achieved in the real world and that to get 1200w output I really need the C12/1600? If so there is a case for going for the C12/2000 ifI can fit it in. That’s because there is a huge price jump from the1200 to1600 but a modest price jump from there to the 2000. I only want to do this once and get it right! Thanks
If you read carefully trough the specs the 12/1600va is good for 1380w or 1400w at 25 degC
You are confusing the va with w. They are not the same thing.
The price jump is because the 1200va its a Phoenix inverter only, and the 1600-2000va it’s a multiplus inverter charger, different beast and better in many ways.
They all have overload capabilities but not for long durations. You can overload by 5-10% for 5 mins and also when hot, they derate the power by themselfs,hence a little headroom of 100-200w over you biggest load.
The C12/2000va it’s brilliant, can sustain surge of 4000va and quite long small overload.
The 12/1200 is really good for 980-1000w continuous at 25 degC at 40 will be down to about 750w.
Read the spec properly on victron energy website, you will see the ratings in the data sheet clearly at every temperature. Then you can choose wisely to your needs. They do exactly what is says on the spec, or better.
Thanks Raul. As it happens I was reading through the Victron specs when your message came through. You are absolutely right and I have been confusing W with VA. Looking at the 1600 and 2000va for each there seems to be not only a multiplus( and I think I understand that for the extra money I get a charger and an AC change over switch built in) but also a Pheonix Compact and a Phoenix Smart. The Compact and the Smart both seem to have the same capabilities but are different sizes and are priced differently. Ditto the 2000va. Can you tell me what the differences are so that I can make an informed choice. Wonderyif I’m being too ambitious in thinking about 1500 Sterling inverter with 200ah li because of the size of Inverter needed. Really appreciate the help. Thanks
Meant 1500w Sterling induction not Sterling 1500 inverter!
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I’m not a 100% sure as I never used the smart. All I know it has ve direct like the solar chargers, and smart being the blue tooth connectivity on the app. The compact it’s just that a compact inverter. There are different features on each for various integration. The sterling induction is good if it has power settings. We have a budget power line induction, that has power settings and heat settings. We use mostly the power settings, starts at 400w, then up in 200w steps till 2000w. Mostly is used from 800 to 1400w.
However, a multiplus is much more reach in features for system integration, and has much better residual value. A inverter is only for a very limited market, a multiplus Is used by many more ppl. Boats, off grid, has generator and ehu/ shore power support, it can limit draw in power, it can assist a weak supply to increase power, ve bus coms, and much more solid built. It can synchronise to almost any AC source, and you can use ehu trough it. It has a 4a starter battery charge feature to. And with a raspberry PI and mifi in the van, you can remote turn it on/ off. We do that as we leave the water heater on but inverter of. I just turn the inverter on 1-1,5hrs before we get to the van, and have hot water for shower as we get in. All from the surplus solar power.
However, a multiplus is much more reach in features for system integration, and has much better residual value. A inverter is only for a very limited market, a multiplus Is used by many more ppl. Boats, off grid, has generator and ehu/ shore power support, it can limit draw in power, it can assist a weak supply to increase power, ve bus coms, and much more solid built. It can synchronise to almost any AC source, and you can use ehu trough it. It has a 4a starter battery charge feature to. And with a raspberry PI and mifi in the van, you can remote turn it on/ off. We do that as we leave the water heater on but inverter of. I just turn the inverter on 1-1,5hrs before we get to the van, and have hot water for shower as we get in. All from the surplus solar power.
Thanks Raul. The Sterling induction hob seems to have a default first on draw of 1000w. Turning it down through the presets takes it down in stages to 200w. Turning it up from default on takes it into a Max 1500w power. Recommend inverter power is 1000w for the lower 6 settings and 1600w for the upper two( presumably because of the way induction cycles to maintain a particular setting). So on that basis it looks like it should be a 2000va Victron. Does that sound right? I don’t think I’ve got the space for a multiplus ( the James Cook may be a tardis with 2 big double beds and a huge kitchen but it’s still only 5.6m long so fitting extra devices in is always a challenge) And the water heater is gas only so no benefit there from a multiplus even if I could work out how a raspberry pi utilises the surplus solar for you! Thanks for all the help though. I’m much clearer in my thinking now.
That sounds good. If the sterling has power settings, you can turn it down to your needs. There is a newer model of compact that looks like the multiplus 2, I think it’s the smart model. A very reliable unit.
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