Technical help required re. Inverter?

Where to next?

Where to next?

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Hi all. Still on a steep learning curve before we collect the MH on 11 September. We’re intending to go off grid on a fairly regular basis so have added a second leisure battery and 150w solar panel. But I’m unsure what I need to be able to use the domestic 240v plug sockets in the MH without being on an ehu. Is there an adapter for a domestic plug into the cigarette lighter socket? or do I need an inverter and if so, what size? The main use will be for a Nespresso machine and milk frother - got to keep the better half happy!

any advice would be much appreciated as always.

cheers, Carl
 
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Depends how many watts you need for the Nespresso etc. If its low wattage and you have no intention of using a haridryer, iron, microwave or anything a bit more power hungry you may get away with the cigarette socket type inverter

But if you need anything more then will need a bigger inverter wiring in properly. Using either the socket built into the inverter, fitting an extra dedicated one, or wiring it into you onboard sockets and having some sort of changeover. Manual or automatic
 
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Coffee machines use a lot of power. First job check the wattage of the machine you want to use and report back 👍
 
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We have the smallest Nespresso machine you can get, the mini essenza. It is 1200W and runs fine off a 1500W pure sine inverter and two 90Ah leisure batteries. It might work off non-sine wave but going sine wave means you can safely charge other things like electric toothbrushes.
 
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Thanks guys. It’s a Citiz machine which requires 1260W. Is that too much for a 1500w inverter plugged into the cigarette lighter? it only takes 2-3 minutes to produce the coffee.

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Given that the Nespresso is heating water it will take a lot of power. So I doubt that anything on a ciggy lighter will work. Proper wired in inverter needed with thick cables. And you will need even bigger one if the frother heats up the milk and is being used at the same time as the Nespresso machine. First thing to do is find out what the maximum wattages are for these machines and whether or not they will be used at the same time.

The good news is that I suspect it will not need to be an expensive pure sine wave one for this use.

And finally if it is going to be used several times a day I suspect you will need more than one solar panel to replace the power they are using.

I suggest the best bet would be to buy a proper stove top Italian Mocha Pot instead and a £1 battery whisk from Ikea.

Where to next? said:
Thanks guys. It’s a Citiz machine which requires 1260W. Is that too much for a 1500w inverter plugged into the cigarette lighter? it only takes 2-3 minutes to produce the coffee.
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It can't be plugged into a ciggy lighter. They only take about 150watts at most. The inverter needs to be attached permanently to your battery bank using large diameter cables.
 
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Thanks peterc10. You’re right, the coffee making is followed by the milk frothing!

the cost versus benefit is not looking very favourable as that’s the only thing we’d need the inverter for.

think we’ll have to restrict the Nespresso to the days we‘re on ehu!
 
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1260w at 12v is 105 amps so you'll need about 4 batteries to share the load.. 26 amps each is a lot kinder than 2 batteries with 52 amps each which would shorten their lives.
 
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Where to next? said:
Thanks peterc10. You’re right, the coffee making is followed by the milk frothing!

the cost versus benefit is not looking very favourable as that’s the only thing we’d need the inverter for.

think we’ll have to restrict the Nespresso to the days we‘re on ehu!
Click to expand...

Good luck passing on the information 😃
 
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Blimey. So not only do I need an inverter but I need more batteries!😩. i thought Starbucks was expensive but not when compared to this option!

instant coffee only when off grid. I’ll have to pick my moment to share the news...
 
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DBK said:
We have the smallest Nespresso machine you can get, the mini essenza. It is 1200W and runs fine off a 1500W pure sine inverter and two 90Ah leisure batteries. It might work off non-sine wave but going sine wave means you can safely charge other things like electric toothbrushes.
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Don't see why a tooth brush needs a pure sine wave inverter. The electronics in one of those first rectifies the mains and then chops it into a higher frequency to be more efficient.

Anyway, why not simply use a USB charging toothbrush?
 
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Where to next? said:
Thanks guys. It’s a Citiz machine which requires 1260W. Is that too much for a 1500w inverter plugged into the cigarette lighter? it only takes 2-3 minutes to produce the coffee.
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Dash cig socket 10 amps x 12 volts = 120 watts !! Your coffee will come at some expense but of course possible. Suggest 1800 watt sinewave inverter as some coffee machine electronics don't like non sine-wave mains.
1800 watts / 12 volts = 150 amps therefore inverter should be wired direct to batteries with heavy duty cable, approx 50mm² no longer than 1m.
Alternatively boil 1 mug water in tiny saucepan add 1x tablespoon coffee grounds bring to boil & pour through piece kitchen roll in a sieve, delicious.
 
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thebriars said:
Don't see why a tooth brush needs a pure sine wave inverter. The electronics in one of those first rectifies the mains and then chops it into a higher frequency to be more efficient.

Anyway, why not simply use a USB charging toothbrush?
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Toothbrush chargers are famous for blowing up on modified sine inverters, although we have pure sine inverter we use a USB toothbrush charger.
 
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Where to next? said:
Blimey. So not only do I need an inverter but I need more batteries!😩. i thought Starbucks was expensive but not when compared to this option!

instant coffee only when off grid. I’ll have to pick my moment to share the news...
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You can make a much better cup of coffee with one of these than those awful pod machines.

1598452256013.png

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Thanks Leisure Man. I’ll give the alternative option you suggest a go. Maybe a blind tasting at home to see if she can spot the difference!😉
 
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As Lenny HB says you will need some additional kit, my Nespresso has quite a large startup load but I have never checked what it is as I have 3kw of inversion.
However in your posts this requirement is driven by your wife you will have us believe. Standby for a longer list of power hungry devices. Hair dryer top of that list. You will need a decent inverter and battery bank for her Dyson I am 😨
 
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Why do you need a frother .. try just shaking the bottle vigorously for a few seconds .. instant milk froth straight from the fridge
 
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thebriars said:
Don't see why a tooth brush needs a pure sine wave inverter. The electronics in one of those first rectifies the mains and then chops it into a higher frequency to be more efficient.

Anyway, why not simply use a USB charging toothbrush?
Click to expand...

I b*ggered a toothbrush charger on (what I thought was) a small PSW inverter. I subsequently discovered it was kn*ckered after complaining to the hotel reception that my bathroom power socket wasn’t working. 😳

Ian

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Been there, done that (Nespresso, frother, 2 x leisure batteries, solar, 2k inverter connected with thick welding cables). It is not a good solution because the batteries cannot transfer that much energy for many cycles.

Battery whisk and gas-heated milk produces a reasonable result. For the coffee, I’m quite happy with the Nanopresso. Add hot water from gas-heated kettle. Uses Nespresso capsules and your energy to pump by hand. Same result as the machine. If you like pods, which I do.
1598455226823.jpeg
 
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DBK said:
We have the smallest Nespresso machine you can get, the mini essenza. It is 1200W and runs fine off a 1500W pure sine inverter and two 90Ah leisure batteries. It might work off non-sine wave but going sine wave means you can safely charge other things like electric toothbrushes.
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My Nespresso machine (about 1200W) won't even fire up from a 2000W (4000W peak) modified sine wave inverter. It works fine from the pure sine wave inverter, which is 2400W. It's not the wattage, it's the waveform shape that's the problem.
 
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Motorhoming is about leaving some of those gadgets at home. Yes you want some comfort, but it's also about finding different ways of doing things.

May I recommend an Aeropress?
61BK0MHR6OL._AC_SX522_.jpg
 
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Nespresso, What Else ?

{ The advert doesn't mention solar panels, 3 leisure batteries and an inverter }

Aldi do nice instant coffee sachets for 0.69p for 8 satchets -
just add boiling water and stir.

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As an alternative to the stove-top Italian espresso coffeemaker, we use a French-style cafetiere, with water boiled in a kettle on the gas hob. Most of the ones in the shops are thin glass, but we have a stainless steel one which is double-skinned and insulating. Not true espresso I know, but a good substitute.

But I wouldn't take advice about coffee from someone like me, I'm English after all.:giggle:
 
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Rather than a milk brother we use a microwave to heat the milk and then froth with a battery whisk before dusting with chocolate and then Nespresso coffee, for 8 years our Gel batteries and pure sine inverter have been taking on this task without complaint, we now have a new van with LiFePO4 batteries and they just love the job (y)

The microwave comes in handy for other things as well ;)

Martin
 
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