Modern caravans, 4WD setups and off-grid systems often need to power sensitive electronics such as Starlink, CPAP machines, coffee machines, laptops, routers, medical devices and more.
This guide explains what type of inverter you need, how many watts are required, and what can safely be powered from your off-grid system.

1. Pure Sine Wave vs Modified Sine Wave — Why It Matters

✔ Pure Sine Wave Inverters (Recommended)

• Safe for all sensitive electronics

• Handles variable-speed motors, compressors and switching power supplies

• Required for Starlink, CPAP machines and most coffee machines

• Matches mains-quality power

✘ Modified Sine Wave Inverters (Not Recommended)

• Can cause overheating

• May damage power adapters

• Causes buzzing, flickering or shut-offs

• Not suitable for medical devices

If you are powering anything sensitive or expensive → always use a pure sine wave inverter.

2. Can My Inverter Run Starlink?

Yes — with the right inverter size.

Starlink Power Usage (Typical):

Recommended Inverter Size:

✔ 300–600 W pure sine wave inverter is more than enough
✔ Works on 12 V or 24 V systems (with correct inverter)
✔ MPPT + battery must support the load during startup

Important Notes:

• Starlink power supplies draw a brief surge when booting

• Keep inverter away from RF equipment to avoid interference

• Use short, quality AC cables to reduce electrical noise

3. Can My Inverter Run a CPAP Machine?

Yes — but size depends on whether you use the humidifier.

Typical CPAP Power Usage:

Recommended Inverter Size:

✔ 300–600 W pure sine wave inverter
✔ Battery must have enough capacity for overnight use

Tips for CPAP Users:

• Turning off the humidifier reduces power use by up to 60%

• Use DC-compatible adapters when available (avoids AC losses)

• Ensure battery is fully charged before overnight operation

Important Safety Note:

Never use a modified sine wave inverter for medical devices.

4. Can My Inverter Run a Coffee Machine, Kettle or Espresso Maker?

Yes — but these appliances have extremely high power draw.

Typical Coffee Machine Power Usage:

Recommended Inverter Size:

☕ For pod machines:
✔ 2,000 W pure sine wave inverter (minimum)
✔ 3,000 W recommended for comfortable surge handling

? For kettles & high-end espresso machines:
✔ 3,000–5,000 W pure sine wave inverter
✔ Battery bank must support very high currents
✔ 0/00 gauge heavy cabling recommended for 3000–5000 W systems

Important:

Coffee machines pull more power than almost any other small appliance.
Most 12 V systems cannot support a kettle or boiler unless heavily upgraded.

5. Can My Inverter Run Laptops, TVs, Gaming Consoles & Other Electronics?

Yes — these loads are typically low wattage.

Typical Usage Guide:

Recommended Inverter Size:

✔ 300–800 W pure sine wave inverter handles these easily.
✔ Ideal for office setups, TV nights, van-life digital work, etc.

6. Calculating Whether Your Inverter Can Handle the Load

Use this quick formula:

Inverter Size Needed = (Appliance Running Watts × 1.2) + Surge Allowance

Examples:

• Nespresso machine (1,300 W)
  → 1,300 × 1.2 = 1,560 W + surge
  → 2,000 W inverter recommended

• CPAP machine with humidifier (100 W peak)
  → 300–600 W inverter

• Starlink Standard (~120 W peak)
  → 300 W inverter with margin

7. Battery Size Matters as Much as the Inverter

Large appliances can drain batteries quickly.

Example:

A 1,500 W coffee machine on a 12 V battery draws:

1,500 ÷ 12 = 125 amps (before losses)

A single 100Ah battery cannot support this.
For heavy appliances, you need:

• A 200–300Ah LiFePO₄ bank minimum, or

• A 24 V / 48 V system to reduce current

8. When Not to Use an Inverter (and Use DC Instead)

Use DC power where possible for:

• Fridges

• Fans

• Lighting

• CPAP machines (if DC adapter available)

• Phone and laptop charging

• Water pumps

This avoids inverter losses and increases battery runtime.

9. Summary: What Your Inverter Can Safely Run

Need Help Choosing the Right Inverter?

If you're unsure whether your system can run your appliance, we can quickly calculate:

• Inverter size

• Surge rating

• Battery size

• Cabling requirements

Just contact support and include:

• The appliance model

• Wattage or amperage rating

• Your battery & solar setup

• Inverter model

We’ll respond with a safe, accurate recommendation.