What size inverter do I need?
Sizing your inverter is a difficult task, and is not made any easier by different brands and manufacturers rating the power of their units at different temperature ratings. The power output of an inverter is dramatically decreased as its internal temperature rises, this is sometimes called its 5, 10 & 30 minute rating; but in reality if the inverter cannot remove the heat quick enough, then the output power will rapidly drop off. Many of the inverter brands on the market are rated to supply full output power up to 25°C and start to de-rate the output power from this point on. Some industrial models with supply full output upto a staggering 40°C.
Basically, add up all of the AC loads you want to run, then determine if you want to run all of these items at the same time. If not, choose the largest load in the system and size the inverter 50% more to cover peak surge loads.
