Before you can understand what a car inverter is, it’s important to understand the difference between AC and DC power. In simple terms, AC power is what you get from the wall outlets in your home, and DC power is what you get from batteries.
What is a Power Inverter and which inverter do I need? What does a power inverter do?
Since car batteries provide DC voltage and most consumer electronics run on AC, you will need a device known as a car inverter if you want to use AC devices on the road. With a car inverter installed, you can take almost any electronic device from your home or office, plug it into your car, and use it as normal, with a few caveats.
Some of the main limitations you need to consider when using an inverter in your car include factors such as the capacity of the car battery, the rated power of the alternator, and the output power of the inverter.
It is a fact that your car’s electrical system can only provide so much power, and the battery can only provide so much power before it runs out. All of these factors can play a role in determining which devices you can plug into a car inverter and use while on the road.
