What Size Inverter Do I Need to Run a Blender?

Blenders are staples be it at houses or motorhomes for a good many reasons. It is versatile, affordable and makes food preparation easier. But how much inverter power do you need? This guide explains the essentials.

A typical blender consumes 400 to 600 watts, but some models require twice that to start the motor. A 1000W inverter with 2000W surge watt capacity is enough to run almost any modern blender today.

How to Calculate Blender Power Requirements

To find out what inverter size your blender needs, determine its power watt usage and multiply by its runtime.

Blender watts x runtime = inverter size

Depending on what type of blender you have, its power usage will likely be from 300 to 600 watts. High end blenders – particularly older models – may require 1500 watts.

A 1000 watt blender can run almost any type of blender These inverters have a 2000 surge watt capacity so it should be able to work with even 1500W models.

For best results we recommend a pure sine wave inverter. The BESTEK Pure Sine Wave 1000W has the power to run practically any blender.

So a 500 watt blender that runs for an hour consumes 500 watts. Run the blender for 30 minutes and power consumption drops to 250 watts.

Most people use blenders for just a few minutes. If you add it up this could be 10 to 15 minutes a day, or about 100 to 125 watts.

In other words the blender will probably use way less than the inverter capacity. But it is better to have a large system so you can run other appliances with it.

A large inverter will be necessary if you load other appliances alongside the blender. If you want to use a toaster or microwave at the same time for instance, a good sized system is a must.

Modern blenders use less watts than older models. If you are gong to run a blender on a solar inverter, make sure it is energy efficient. This is going to make a big difference in terms of power usage.

It comes down to two things: how long you use your blender and its power consumption. If you use the blender several times a day, get an energy efficient model. It will save you money and power in the long term.

How Many Inverter Batteries Do I Need to Run a Blender?

The number of batteries you need depends on several factors. The blender power consumption, runtime and how much load the inverter will carry.

A 12V 50ah deep cycle battery can run a 600W blender for an hour before it is completely discharged. If you use a 100ah battery, you can keep the blender going for an hour without emptying it.

Deep cycle batteries like gel and AGM should always be recharged when capacity drops to 50%. So if you have a 100ah battery and follow the 50% DOD recharge rule, you can only use the blender for an hour, not two.

If you do not run any other appliances with the blender, any battery above 50ah should be fine. The battery bank becomes an issue if you put a large load on the system. The Weize 100ah 12V Battery will be more than enough here.

This is why we recommend doubling the battery capacity for any appliance you want to run. At least when it comes to gel and AGM because lithium batteries can be fully discharged.

Lithium batteries provide better performance and longer life cycles. For a blender and other small appliances, lead acid batteries are sufficient. But if you want maximum performance, go with lithium.

A 100ah 12V battery can run a blender and a few other appliances provided they are not used at the same time. But as is always the case with solar, the more power you have, the better and longer performance you can expect.

How Long Can My Inverter Run a Blender?

The battery runtime given by manufacturers are only estimates. It is difficult to give a precise figure because batteries lose charge when more amps are drawn.

An 800 watt blender draws 66.6 amps an hour from a 12V battery, The formula is (watts / volts = amps). If the blender runs for two hours, the battery should lose 133 amps, but it will use more than that.

This is not a battery defect and there is no problem with the blender either. This is just how batteries work. The more amps are used, the faster it is discharged.

Inverter batteries are rated by amps used per 20 hours, usually 5 amps. It means if an appliance draws 5 amps an hour, the battery will last for 20 hours.

But if the inverter load pulls 10 amps, the battery will last just under 10 hours. Now imagine a blender that draws 60 amps an hour.

To make it easier, double the battery capacity for whatever the blender requires. So if your blender needs 50ah, make it 100ah so you do not have to worry about the runtime.

The battery size calculations given here are only for the blender. If you are going to load other appliances, add the total watts and get its amp equivalent. Double the capacity and you should be able to run whatever you need.

Does My Inverter Need Solar Panels?

A grid tied inverter does not need solar panels to run any appliance. But if you have an off grid solar system, solar panels will be useful in charging the batteries.

The typical off grid solar system use solar panels to top off batteries. By connecting the batteries and solar panels, the batteries always have full power. But it is possible to run a blender on solar panels.

Two 300W solar panels can power a 600W blender or charge a 100ah battery. You don’t need batteries, but they will be required if you want to power the blender during the evenings or cloudy skies.

Solar panel performance depends on the weather among other factors. Ideally 2 x 300W solar panels will always produce 600 watts an hour. But if there are clouds blocking the sun, output will drop.

Even if the sun is shining, the panels might only reach 600 watts an hour at noontime. If you are worried about the panels’ production, add another 300 watt panel to the array.

Keep in mind that most blenders need 400 to 600 watts. Even if you only use it for a few minutes, the panels must still produce that much power to start the blender. If you use the blender for 5 minutes, the solar panels must produce 600 watts for 5 minutes.

Most solar powered homes are tied to the grid. You can use solar panels and switch to AC power anytime. While batteries are optional, solar panels are required.

But if you use inverter batteries to use the blender, the solar panel does not have to produce that much power. What the panels must do is provide enough current to keep the batteries charge.

How to Use a Blender with Inverters Properly

Once your inverter has been installed, it is a matter of plugging in the appliances. But there are steps you can take to reduce power consumption and make it more efficient.

• Buy an Energy Star compliant blender. This is the single best thing you can do. The difference between energy star and an older blender is substantial. In some cases, the watt consumption of an energy efficient blender is half that of an older product.
• Run the inverter close to full load, but not at maximum capacity. Inverters running at half capacity leads to energy wastage. At the same time, do not load the inverter to the brim. There should be some reserve power in case of a voltage surge.
• If your inverter is much larger than the blender, consider loading other appliances. This assures the system can overcome inverter inefficiency.
• Buy a high quality blender. This refers to the blender and the inverter as these products are more energy efficient.
• Use the inverter only as directed. Do not overload it, use the cables and wires provided (or compatible) and follow the directions for its use.

Conclusion

If you are going to run a blender on an inverter, check its power consumption and if it is designed for a particular type, i.e. pure sine or modified sine. Doing this beforehand will make it easier to run the blender with any other loads you want to put on the system.