Adding an inverter to a car, truck, or RV opens up a world of possibilities for the types of electronics you can use on the road, but nothing in life is free. All that power comes from somewhere, and if it happens to be from the starter battery, that world of possibilities can come crashing down into a world of pain with almost no warning.
How fast will an inverter drain the battery?
While the issue of an inverter draining a car battery is quite complex, the general rule of thumb is that an inverter will not drain a battery while the vehicle is moving, and certainly not while it is being driven around. However, using an inverter while the engine is off will drain the battery, and it won’t be long before the engine will not start without a jump or a charge.
The easiest solution to this problem is to stop using the inverter before it gets to that point. However, carrying a separate deep cycle battery for the inverter or carrying a generator with a built in battery charger are both fine options.
When the engine of a car or truck is running, the alternator charges the battery and supplies power to the electrical system. The battery is still important, as alternators need battery voltage to function properly, but the alternator has to do the heavy lifting when the engine is running.
