Inverter or not?

[deadwood]

I've been in my van 2 years full time now. When I was building it out I really had to ask myself if I even needed an inverter. I don't have a microwave, toaster, hair dryer etc... Everything I use is pretty much 12v. I do have a small 100w inverter I can plug into one of my 12v outlets which I use sometimes to charge my laptop.

When I figured out what my electrical needs would most likely be it was pretty clear that for my use I would not really miss the inverter. And I didn't really want to spend a ton of money on a nice inverter just so I could make toast once in a while. And in the last two years there has not been a time when I even wished I had an inverter.

I have a 260 Ah battery that is charged by either solar or from a voltage sensing relay hooked up to the starting battery. It gives me plenty of power to run a 12v fridge, lights, water pump, fans and usb/12v ports. The biggest draw of all is the 12v fridge but even with that always on I never run out of power.

 

[maki2]

I don't travel with 120v kitchen appliances other than my fridge which runs on 12v but has a dual function for 120v.

I learned how to cook in the mid 1950s. There were no microwave ovens. We did have an electric mixer which was my first introduction to a power tool other than the vacuum cleaner. Using my mom's big electric mixer to make a cake was very exciting to a 5 year old. I was not allowed to cook unsupervised on the gas stove until I was 8.

I don't really understand all this talk about needing to have a bunch of electrical kitchen appliances in a van. I know you don't "need" any of those to be able to make great meals. But it is nice to have the convenience of some type of fuel for cooking foods. However I also understand that some people don't want to use propane or butane or cook with wood and charcoal. That if you already have a large solar and battery system in place then it makes sense to use that solar generated power to cook with rather than buying propane or butane fuel.

It is important to learn to logically analyze our own individual needs, fears, abilities and finances to make educated decisions about our own living situation. But of course that means gathering lots of information if you want to consider an array of options.

So the first question is....what do you need an inverter for? If it is just for a TV then that is not a real need because there are 12v TVs around. I don't need a TV because I have a TV tuner that plugs into my computer. I have a Blue Ray/DVD player for my laptop. My laptop has a 4K screen on it, I have a bluetooth speaker with good sound quality. I have a 12v charger for my laptop. A separate TV would be a waste of space and money.

I do need a small inverter for some tools that don't have 12v power supplies available. I use the tools to make things which bring in income. When I need more power I have an inverter generator for that. Or I go find a camp spot with shore power if I have an 120 power intensive work day to do. The power hookup is tax deductible since I am only there because I need it for work.

 

[bagabum]

I'm actually not a "van dweller". I camp about 50% boondocking / 50% campgrounds. Cook and heat with propane. Would like to add tv. Small toaster oven would be nice, but can live without.

MJRW, have you seen the folding Coleman camp oven you place on top of a burner. I love mine for  those foods that just require an oven.  Coleman Camp Oven

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