Running Power Tools from a Campervan Inverter
Running mains power tools from a campervan inverter is entirely possible — but the motor startup surge and continuous draw of some tools push a smaller inverter hard. Here is what works and what does not.
The surge problem with power tools
Electric motors (drills, circular saws, angle grinders) draw 2–6 times their rated wattage on startup for a fraction of a second. A drill rated at 700W may pull 2,000–3,000W when you first squeeze the trigger.
Your inverter must handle this startup surge without tripping its overload protection. Quality inverters (Victron Phoenix, Victron MultiPlus) handle short surges well. Budget inverters with limited surge ratings may trip on startup.
Rule of thumb: Your inverter's surge rating should be at least 3× the tool's rated wattage for reliable motor startup.
What a 1,000W inverter can run
| Tool | Rated watts | Startup surge | Works on 1,000W inverter? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cordless drill charger | 50–100W | Low | Yes, easily |
| Drill (corded, light) | 400–600W | 1,500–2,000W surge | Yes, if surge rating ≥ 2,000W |
| Jigsaw | 400–700W | 1,500–2,500W surge | Usually yes |
| Random orbital sander | 180–300W | Low–moderate | Yes |
| 18V–20V battery charger | 50–200W | Low | Yes |
| Rotary tool (Dremel) | 100–250W | Low | Yes |
A 1,000W inverter (such as the Victron Phoenix 12/1200) handles most light trade and DIY tools comfortably.
What needs a 2,000W inverter
| Tool | Rated watts | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Corded drill (heavy duty, SDS) | 700–1,100W | High surge on startup |
| Circular saw | 700–1,400W | High surge, sustained draw |
| Angle grinder (115mm) | 700–900W | High startup surge |
| Angle grinder (125mm) | 900–1,200W | Needs 2,000W+ inverter |
| Bench grinder | 200–400W | Lower surge than handheld grinders |
| Jigsaw (heavy duty) | 700–800W | Borderline on 1,000W |
| Vacuum cleaner | 1,000–2,000W | High surge, sustained draw |
What will not work reliably even on a 2,000W inverter
| Tool | Rated watts | Problem |
|---|---|---|
| Large table saw | 1,500–3,000W | Exceeds typical van inverter |
| Mains compressor (large) | 1,500–3,000W+ | Very high startup surge |
| Welding inverter (mains) | 2,000–5,000W | Far too high |
| Bench drill press (large) | 1,500–2,000W | High surge |
For large workshop tools, connection to mains hook-up at a campsite or industrial park is more practical than relying on battery.
Battery drain during power tool use
Power tools used in short bursts consume less battery than you might expect:
Example: 15-minute drilling session with a 700W drill
- 700W at 12V ≈ 65A draw
- 15 minutes = 0.25 hours
- Draw: 65A × 0.25h = 16Ah
A 100Ah LiFePO4 battery can handle several sessions like this before needing recharge. For sustained cutting or grinding (30+ minutes), battery drain becomes significant.
For sustained power tool use:
- 200Ah LiFePO4 provides comfortable tool use sessions
- A 100W+ solar system or DC-DC charger recharges between sessions
- At a campsite, hook-up removes the battery concern entirely
Practical tips
Test your tool on the inverter before relying on it. Start the tool with no load (not cutting anything) to test startup — if it trips the inverter, either the tool's surge rating exceeds the inverter or the inverter's surge capacity is too low.
Use cordless tools where possible. Mains power tools in a van introduce 230V safety considerations (wet environments, vehicle movement). Quality cordless tools (18V Makita, DeWalt, Milwaukee platforms) avoid this and preserve the battery budget for other uses.
Size your inverter for the largest tool. If you want to run a 1,000W angle grinder, install a 2,000W inverter rather than trying to make a 1,000W unit work — the surge headroom makes a real difference.
Fuse the DC cables correctly. Power tool use puts real sustained current through your DC cables. Ensure your ANL fuse and cable sizes are correct for the inverter rating, not a smaller "typical use" calculation.
FAQ
Can I run a mains welder from a campervan inverter?
Not practically. Even a small inverter welder rated at 140A welding output draws 2,000–3,500W from mains. This is at the limit of a large inverter and would drain a 200Ah battery rapidly. For occasional welding, a campsite hook-up or a dedicated small generator is the better solution.
Will an inverter damage power tools?
A quality pure sine wave inverter produces output indistinguishable from mains — it will not damage any corded tool. A modified sine wave inverter may cause motor heating in some tools over time. Always use a pure sine wave inverter for power tools.
My inverter trips when I start a saw. What should I do?
Either upgrade to an inverter with a higher surge rating, or use a soft-start accessory (available for circular saws and some other tools) that reduces the startup current spike.