Inverters

How wonderful it is to cast anchor after a day of sailing and enjoy a cold drink with some delicious bitterballen. Thanks to modern technology, this can be done very easily: briefly turn on the airfryer for a snack, and make a Nespresso the next morning with the push of a button. These are just a few examples of what you can do with an inverter. An inverter converts the 12V or 24V direct current from your battery into 230V alternating current, so you can use ordinary household appliances.

At Smartmarine, we sell inverters from Victron. These are available as stand-alone inverters or as a combination of inverter and charger. Victron offers several models:

Phoenix models

These are inverters without a built-in charger. They are ideal for those who already have a charger or prefer to use separate components.

Multiplus models

These combine an inverter and charger in one device. The Multiplus can charge both the house battery and the starter battery and is suitable for most situations on board.

Quattro models

These offer the same functionality as the Multiplus, but with the added ability to connect a generator. This is useful when you need more power than your batteries can provide. The Quattro can also charge both the household bank and the starter battery.

Power on board

How do you read model types?

Phoenix models

If you know what the numbers stand for, it becomes easy. Let's start with the Phoenix models, such as the "Phoenix 12/250" or "Phoenix 24/800":

  • "Phoenix" is the model name.
  • "12" or "24" indicates the voltage, suitable for 12V or 24V systems respectively.
  • The latest figures (250 or 800) indicate Volt-Ampere (VA), which is often confused with Watt. A simple way to calculate Watts is to multiply VA by 0.8. For example, a Phoenix 12/250 delivers about 200 watts of continuous power and a Phoenix 24/800 about 640 watts. This is the maximum continuous power, while each device also has peak power for short moments.

Multiplus models

In Multiplus models, it works in a similar way, but with some extra information. Take, for example, the "Multiplus II 12/3000/120/32":

  • "Multiplus II" represents the second generation of this model.
  • "12" indicates that this model is suitable for a 12V system.
  • "3000" is the power in VA, which is about 2400 watts continuous.
  • "120" is the maximum charging current in amps that goes to the battery. (Note that the starter battery is always charged at a maximum of 3 amps).
  • "32" represents the pass-through current in amps, which indicates how much current can be passed to your AC devices when shore power is active.

Victron inverters

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How to choose the right inverter or combi?

Now that you know how to read the numbers, comes the question: how do you know which type of inverter or combi you need? And what else is involved?

First of all, it is important that your batteries are in good condition and can supply enough current. Also make sure you adapt your cabling and fuses to the specifications of your inverter. In the manual of each Victron inverter, you will find advice on the correct cable diameter and fuses. If you have any questions about this, you can always email us for advice. Email: [email protected]

In addition, think about what exactly you want to do with the inverter. If you only want to power a device such as the Starlink router, a 250VA inverter is sufficient.

Check out the chart which will help you estimate the power consumption of different appliances:

DeviceWattHow many VADetails
Starlink75250There is no lower
Boiler8001200Always have hot water on board for showering or washing up
Laptop60250Laptop fast charging on AC
Phone quick charging30250Using your quick charger in normal socket
Coffee machine15002000E.g. a nespresso fluctuates enormously and so can also be fine with a 1600 VA
Kettle20003000Usually 2000 but often also found in 1200 watts
Microwave9001200Are also modes of 250 or 600W of course
Airfryer20003000 
Electric cooking 1 burner20003000Usually you only use the highest setting temporarily and then you are at 20-30% of power
Electric cooking 2 burners30005000On 24V, you can buy a 5000 VA inverter. But you can also have both burners on at low power and use the 3000 VA.

Note: these are only estimates of power consumption. Every situation is different. Do you want to use several devices at the same time? Then you might need a more powerful inverter.

Why choose Victron?

Victron is one of the most reliable brands in on-board power supply. This very Dutch company, based in Almere, the Netherlands, is known for its robust, efficient and innovative products. They also offer excellent support and their products are available worldwide, which is of great importance when you are at sea.

Do you have specific questions or want tailor-made advice? 

Feel free to send us an e-mail. We will be happy to help you make the right choice for your on-board situation. E-mail: [email protected]

Victron

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