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Inverters

An inverter turns 12V or 24V DC from a battery or DC power supply into 230V mains output, for camping, commercial vans and lorries, or back-up power in a blackout. Mercury soft start inverters come in modified sine wave models from 150W to 2500W and pure sine wave models from 300W to 1000W, with 12V and 24V input versions.

Choosing Inverters

Pick the waveform first, then the input voltage, then a power rating with room for start-up surges.

Modified or pure sine wave

The 652.004UK modified sine wave inverter is made for TVs, lighting, fans, kettles and many other everyday appliances, and the modified sine wave models are rated at over 85% efficiency. For equipment with inductive loads, voltage sensitive devices or audio equipment, a pure sine wave inverter is the recommended choice. The pure sine wave models, such as the 652.102UK, give a high accuracy output wave form with less than 4% THD and add reverse polarity protection.

Input voltage

Match the input to the battery or DC supply, and make sure the correct version is selected for the input power you will use. Several ratings come as a pair: the 600W 652.004UK runs from 12V and the 652.005UK from 24V, and at 2500W the 652.010UK is the 12V version and the 652.011UK the 24V one. In pure sine wave, the 300W 652.101UK takes a 24V input.

Sizing for surges

The power rating should sit well above the load: at least 3 times the device's rated power for models such as the 652.002UK and 652.101UK, to avoid damage to the inverter from a current surge. On the pure sine wave models, allow for fridges and freezers, which can surge up to 7 times their rated power. On the 652.009UK, soft start minimises inverter shutdown when large inductive loads are connected.

Protection and extras

Every model has low and over voltage input protection plus short circuit, overload and overheat protection. The 652.005UK has a built-in 2.1A USB socket, and the pure sine wave 652.102UK and 652.104UK have a built-in 1000mA USB socket. The 652.006UK comes with a pair of 800mm DC power cables and a spare blade fuse.

ModelWaveformInputOutput
652.000UKModified sine12V150W
652.004UKModified sine12V600W
652.011UKModified sine24V2500W
652.101UKPure sine24V300W
652.102UKPure sine12V600W
652.104UKPure sine12V1000W

Related categories

Find a battery or supply to run an inverter in batteries and power supplies, step voltage down with transformers and voltage regulation, compare uninterruptible power supplies, or browse the wider Mercury range.

Brands we stock in Inverters

Mercury.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a power inverter in a van?

Yes, a power inverter can run mains appliances in a van using power stored in the vehicle's battery. Match the inverter's input voltage to the battery, which is usually 12V in vans and often 24V in lorries. Heavier loads usually need the engine running or a separate leisure battery to avoid flattening the starter battery. The range here includes soft start inverters for low-voltage battery inputs.

What is a power inverter?

A power inverter converts DC power stored in a battery into AC mains-style power, so ordinary mains appliances can run where there is no socket. Inverters are often used in vans, on camping trips and for back-up power in a power cut. Sensitive electronics and audio equipment usually need a cleaner output waveform than simple appliances such as lamps.

What size power inverter do I need?

Choose a power inverter with a continuous rating comfortably above the combined wattage of the appliances you plan to run together. Motors, pumps, fridges and other inductive loads can draw several times their rated power at start-up, so they need extra headroom. Check the appliance's rating plate and allow for that surge before picking a size.

  • Established 1975
  • Birmingham trade counter
  • UK-only supply

Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated

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