How Big of an Inverter Can My Car Battery Handle?
Typically, a 12-volt car battery can support an inverter with a power range of about 150 watts to 1500 watts. Please note, however, that
The input voltage of the inverter should match the battery voltage. (For example 12v battery for 12v inverter, 24v battery for 24v inverter and 48v battery for 48v inverter Summary What Will An Inverter Run & For How Long?
Typically, a 12-volt car battery can support an inverter with a power range of about 150 watts to 1500 watts. Please note, however, that car batteries are not suitable for driving high power inverters for extended periods of time, which may cause damage to the battery.
Here are some general guidelines: A 12V 100Ah battery can reasonably power an inverter up to 1000W–1200W for short periods. For continuous loads, 500W–800W is more efficient and battery-friendly. 3. Inverter Efficiency and Battery Runtime No inverter is 100% efficient. Most are 85–95% efficient, which means some energy is lost as heat.
For a 12V 200Ah battery (2.4kWh), a 2000W inverter is ideal. Formula: Inverter Wattage ≤ (Battery Voltage × Ah Rating × 0.8). Factor in surge power needs but prioritize sustained loads. Always check the battery's max discharge rate (C-rate) to avoid exceeding safe limits. When sizing for 24V or 48V systems, recalculate using the higher voltage.
PDF version includes complete article with source references. Suitable for printing and offline reading.
Download detailed product specifications, case studies, and technical data for our off-grid PV containers and mobile energy storage solutions.
15 Innovation Drive
Johannesburg 2196, South Africa
+27 87 702 3126
Monday - Friday: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM SAST