Campervan Inverter Guide: 230V AC Power for UK Van Conversions (2025)
A campervan inverter converts your 12V (or 24V) battery power into 230V AC mains electricity — letting you run household appliances like laptops, phone chargers, hair dryers, blenders, and even coffee machines in your van.
This guide covers everything you need to know: what type of inverter to choose, how to size it, how to wire it safely, and which appliances actually need one. For the complete system overview, see our campervan electrical system guide.
Size your inverter automatically
Our free calculator recommends the right inverter based on your appliance list. No sign-up required.
Do You Actually Need an Inverter?
Not every van needs one. If all your appliances run on 12V or USB, you can skip the inverter entirely and save weight, cost, and complexity.
You DON'T need an inverter for:
- USB charging (phones, tablets, cameras) — use a 12V USB socket
- LED lighting — runs on 12V
- Diesel heater — runs on 12V
- 12V compressor fridge — runs on 12V
- Water pump — runs on 12V
You DO need an inverter for:
- Laptop charging (most need 230V)
- Hair dryer, hair straighteners
- Blender, coffee machine, toaster
- Induction hob
- CPAP machine (some models)
- Any appliance with a UK 3-pin plug
See do I need an inverter in my campervan for the full decision guide.
Pure Sine Wave vs Modified Sine Wave
This is the most important decision when choosing an inverter.
Pure Sine Wave (Recommended)
Produces a smooth, clean AC wave — identical to mains power from your house. Every appliance works perfectly with pure sine wave.
Pros: Compatible with all appliances, no buzzing or interference, safe for sensitive electronics (laptops, CPAP, medical devices).
Cons: More expensive (typically £150–£400 for van-suitable sizes).
Modified Sine Wave
Produces a stepped, approximated wave. Cheaper, but not compatible with everything.
Pros: Budget-friendly (£40–£100).
Cons: Can damage sensitive electronics, causes buzzing in speakers and motors, reduced efficiency, some appliances won't work at all.
Our recommendation: Always buy pure sine wave. The price difference is small compared to the cost of damaging a laptop or CPAP machine. See pure sine wave vs modified sine wave inverter for the detailed comparison.
Modified sine wave risks
Modified sine wave inverters can damage or reduce the lifespan of: laptop chargers, CPAP machines, battery chargers with microprocessors, LED dimmable lights, and any device with a transformer or motor. The £50 you save isn't worth the risk.
Sizing Your Inverter
Continuous vs Peak Power
Every inverter has two power ratings:
- Continuous (rated) power: What it can deliver indefinitely — this is the number that matters for sizing.
- Peak (surge) power: What it can deliver for a few seconds during motor startup — typically 2× the continuous rating.
How to Size
- List your 230V appliances and their wattage
- Identify the highest single load (e.g., hair dryer at 1,200W)
- Consider what runs simultaneously (e.g., laptop 65W + phone charger 20W = 85W)
- Choose an inverter rated above your peak simultaneous load
See what size inverter for a campervan for worked examples, and campervan inverter sizing calculator for the automated approach.
Common Sizes
| Inverter Size | Typical Use | Example Appliances |
|---|---|---|
| 300W | Light use | Laptop, phone chargers |
| 600W | Moderate use | Laptop + small appliances |
| 1000W | Standard | Most appliances except heating elements |
| 1500W | Heavy use | Hair dryer, small induction hob |
| 2000W+ | Full kitchen | Induction hob, microwave, kettle |
The battery reality check
A 2000W inverter draws about 170A from a 12V battery. A 200Ah LiFePO4 battery could run it for just over an hour at full load. Big inverters need big battery banks. See how long will my battery last with an inverter for the maths.
Installation & Wiring
Cable Sizing
Inverters draw enormous currents on the 12V side. A 1000W inverter draws ~95A at 12V. This means you need very thick cables — typically 25mm² to 50mm² depending on the inverter size and cable length.
See campervan inverter wiring guide for the complete installation walkthrough, and our campervan wiring guide for general wiring principles.
Fuse Protection
Every inverter must have a fuse between the battery and the inverter. Size it at 125% of the maximum expected current draw. See campervan fuse sizing guide for the sizing table.
Placement
- Keep cables short: The shorter the cable between battery and inverter, the less voltage drop and the thinner the cable can be.
- Ventilation: Inverters generate heat. Mount in a ventilated space, not sealed inside a cabinet.
- Accessibility: You should be able to reach the on/off switch easily.
Consumer Unit
If your inverter powers 230V sockets, UK regulations require a consumer unit with an RCD (Residual Current Device) and MCBs between the inverter output and your sockets. See campervan consumer unit wiring for the full requirements.
Safety requirement
230V AC can kill. All 230V wiring in a campervan should be protected by an RCD rated at 30mA. If you're not confident with mains wiring, hire a qualified electrician for this part of the installation.
Best Inverters for Campervans
See our dedicated reviews:
- Best inverter for campervans — our top picks across all sizes
- Victron Phoenix inverter review — the premium choice
- Budget campervan inverter options — best value picks
Our Top Pick: Victron Phoenix
The Victron Phoenix range is the most popular choice for campervan conversions. Available in 250W to 3000W, pure sine wave, excellent build quality, and integrates with Victron's monitoring ecosystem.
Inverter vs Shore Power
Both give you 230V AC, but from different sources:
- Inverter: Converts battery DC → 230V AC. Works anywhere. Limited by battery capacity.
- Shore power: Mains hook-up from a campsite. Unlimited power. Only works at campsites with EHU.
Most van builds include both. See our charging systems guide for how shore power works, and shore power vs inverter for the comparison.
Running Specific Appliances
- Can I run a microwave on an inverter? — yes, but you need 1000W+ and a big battery
- Running a coffee machine in a campervan — espresso machines need 1000–1500W
- Induction hob power requirements — typically 1000–2000W
- Running a hair dryer in a campervan — 1200–2200W, big battery drain
12V vs 24V Systems and Inverters
If you have a 24V battery system, your inverter currents are halved — a 1000W inverter draws ~45A at 24V instead of ~95A at 12V. This means thinner cables and less voltage drop. See 12V vs 24V campervan electrical system for when 24V makes sense.
Related Guides
- Campervan electrical system guide — the complete overview
- Campervan battery guide — the power source for your inverter
- Campervan charging systems guide — keeping your batteries topped up
- Campervan wiring guide — wiring safely at 12V and 230V
- Campervan solar setup guide — charging with solar
FAQ
What size inverter do I need for a campervan?
Most campervans do well with a 1000W pure sine wave inverter. This handles laptops, phone chargers, a blender, and most small appliances. If you want to run a hair dryer or induction hob, you'll need 1500W–2000W.
Can I run a kettle on a campervan inverter?
Technically yes, but a kettle draws 2000–3000W — you'd need a massive inverter and battery bank. Most van lifers use a 12V kettle or heat water on a gas stove instead.
How long can I run an inverter on a campervan battery?
It depends on the load and battery size. A 200Ah LiFePO4 battery running a 100W load through an inverter would last about 20 hours. A 1000W load would last about 2 hours. Use our calculator for exact figures.
Does an inverter drain the battery when not in use?
Yes, but very little. Most quality inverters draw 5–15W on standby. Still, it's good practice to switch the inverter off when you're not using it — a 10W standby draw over 24 hours is 240Wh, which is meaningful.
Pure sine wave or modified sine wave for a campervan?
Always pure sine wave. The price difference is typically £50–£100, and modified sine wave can damage laptops, CPAP machines, and other sensitive electronics. It's not worth the risk.