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How Many Watts Do You Need?

To select an inverter from DonRowe.com that has enough power for your application, add the watts for items you may want to run at the same time. Use the total wattage, plus 20%, as your minimum power requirement.

Note: The wattage's given below are estimates. The actual wattage required for your appliances may differ from those listed. Check the nameplate on the appliance to determine the actual wattage required.

* Appliances and tools with induction motors (marked * in tables) may require from 3 to 7 times the listed wattage when starting. The start-up load of the appliance or tool determines whether an inverter has the capability to power it. Be sure to check the specific wattage requirements and operating instructions for appliances / tools to be used. Also, air conditioners are a very difficult load because of the high start-up surge. Use the Locked Rotor Amps to determine the start up surge requirement.

F.Y.I. ..... (conversion formula: Watts รท 120 volts = Amps ........ Amps x 120 volts = Watts)


Common Appliances Estimated Watts Suggested Inverters
Coffee Maker 600-1200 KISAE MW1215
Keurig 1500 (max)
200-400 (continuous)
Samlex NTX-2000-12
Blender 300-1000 Power Bright 1100
Microwave
(600-1000 Watt Cooking Power)
1000-2000 KISAE SW1220
Xantrex PROwatt SW 2000
Waffle Iron 800-1500 Power Bright 2300
Samlex SAM-2000-12
Wagan Slim Line 2000
Krieger KR2000
Hot Plate 750-1500
Electric Skillet 1000-1500
Toaster Oven 1200
Toaster 800-1500
Hair Dryer 1000-1875
Vacuum Cleaner 300-1500
Space Heater 750 / 1500
Clothes Iron 1000-1500
* Refrigerator 500-750
* Chest Freezer 600
* Washing Machine 500-1000 KISAE MW1215
Samlex SAM-1500-12
Power Bright 1500
Furnace Fan 750-1200
Household Fan 50-120 Wagan Slim Line 500
Samlex SAM-450-12
Clock Radio 10-50
Stereo 30-100
Cell Phone Charger 10 Samlex SAM-100-12
Samlex SAM-250-12
Laptop Computer 20-75 KISAE SW1204
Samlex PST-300-12
Wagan Pure Line 400
MacBook Pro 85
iPad / Tablet 10-20 Samlex PST-120-12
KISAE SL1204
Desktop with Monitor 200-400 Samlex PST-600-12
Xantrex PROwatt SW 600
Inkjet Printer 15-75 Samlex SAM-450-12
Laser Printer 500 (continuous)
2000 (peak)
Samlex PST-2000-12
KISAE SW1220
Photographic Strobe
(300 Watt-Second)
1200 (peak) Samlex PST-600-12
Xantrex PROwatt SW 600
Aquarium 50-1000 KISAE Abso 1000
Magnum Energy MMS1012G
TV 32" LED/LCD 50 KISAE SW1206
Xantrex PROwatt SW 600
Wagan Pure Line 700
TV 42" Plasma 240
Home Theater Projector 200
Blu-Ray or DVD Player 15
Satellite Dish / Receiver 20-30
Video Game Console
(Xbox / PS4 / Wii)
40-140

Common Tools Estimated Watts Suggested Inverters
Angle Grinder 900 KISAE MW1215
Samlex SAM-1500-12
Power Bright 1500
Xantrex XPower 1500
Drill (1/4"-1/2") 500-960
Disc Sander 1200
Jig Saw 300-700
Band Saw 700-1200
Table Saw 1800 Power Bright 2300
Samlex SAM-3000-12
Xantrex XPower 3000
Circular Saw 1400-1800
Chop / Cut Off Saw 1500-1800
Shop Vac 6.5 hp 1440
* Electric Chain Saw 14" 1200 Wagan Pro Line 3000
* Airless Sprayer 1/2 hp 750 Krieger KR2000
* Air Compressor 1 hp 2000 Wagan Pro Line 5000

Pumps and Air Conditioners Estimated Watts Suggested Inverters
* Well Pump 1/3 hp 750 (Running)
1400-3000 (Starting)
Power Bright PW3500-12
Wagan Pro Line 3000
* Well Pump 1/2 hp 1000 (Running)
2100-4000 (Starting)
Wagan Pro Line 5000
Xantrex XPower 5000
* Sump Pump 1/3 hp 800 (Running)
1300-2900 (Starting)
Xantrex Freedom XC 2000
KISAE Abso 2000
* Sump Pump 1/2 hp 1050 (Running)
2150-4100 (Starting)
Xantrex Freedom XC 2000
KISAE Abso 2000
* Air Conditioner
(7000 BTU to 10,000 BTU)
1000-1500 (Running)
2200-5000 (Starting)
Wagan Pro Line 5000
Xantrex XPower 5000
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