I've forgotten the amps conversion formula again.

BTW the machine will be mounted in the van.

What size cable should be used from inverter to batteries which are about 3mts away.

Am I dreaming trying to run the machine through an inverter. Should I just fire up the genny each time but can't always do that in some places.

John,

The amps required to run an inverter from 12V are given roughly by dividing the load wattage by 10. This allows a bit for inefficiency in the inverter. So your washing machine will require about 22 to 26 amps from the battery when running. The big problem is that it may draw much much more (guess 3 or more times that) when starting its motor. A 600W inverter probably won't handle this. Another weak link is the battery - deep cycle batteries don't like delivering over 20 amps for long periods.

Sine wave? No. Generally speaking, only sensitive electronic gear will need a pure sine wave inverter. Motors should be fine on a "modified" sine wave or worse.

Just a thought - does the proposed machine heat its own water? If so, forget the whole project unless you're going to carry a big generator. Heating will require another 1000 to 2000 watts. (That's 100 to 200 amps, about the current drawn by the starter motor or a winch, and not something to draw from any sensible sized battery for very long.)

Generator - probably the best way to go if you really must carry a washing machine.

I like the idea of carrying extra clothes and washing when you get to a coin operated machine. Will cost a lot less than any washing machine plus suitable inverter and enough battery capacity to run it (or a generator).

Sorry to throw cold water on the idea, but it's just not a good one!

HTH

John

Hi John

Can't go wrong with a big enough (500w min.) sine wave inverter provided
it has >1000w surge rating.
But you can do better cost and efficentcy wise with a square wave
if it does the job.

I do not know that exact appliance , but in general a square wave should
do the trick.

In either case I wouldn't buy without checking.

Looking at standard retail options , I would go for something like
Jaycar MI 5108 , which is a 600w square wave , but with 1500w
surge capacity and soft start. ($249)
Check 250w is the full watts and that it doesn't heat its water.

The surge rating should be not less than 5 times the running watts.

In recent post 39850 , I explored other options and would expect
you could easily get a sub $200 inverter.

Leads would be 8 gauge or 8mm2 , no less and with 50amp connectors
in required.

Always run my engine when running much from inverter as only have
one battery and all here is designed for low weight low hassle.

Robin Miller

Hi John, I have a Lemair and I have run it off my caravan inverter and the genny.
If we are washing I usually tend to use the genny when it is charging my batterys but have no trouble with the inverter running it on its own. Mine is 650w continious and 1000w surge, inverters are cheap at the moment I just bought a new one for $299 it is 2000w continious 4000w surge it will even boil the jug if I wanted to.
Wazza