Synopsis | MPPT | Solar School | Appliances | FAQ
WHAT WILL IT RUN?
Common AC and DC Appliances and their Power Requirements
Did you know that there are many common household AC appliances that are commonly available in a DC version? Usage of AC or DC appliances is an important factor when designing a solar-based power system. When operating appliances from any electrical source, it is most preferred to have the power source and the appliance working at the same voltage. This will increase the overall "efficiency" of the system. For example, a 12VDC fan will operate directly from a 12VDC electrical circuit. When operating an AC appliance from a DC power supply, a correctly sized inverter must be used, for example, a 120VAC television can be operated from a DC power supply through an inverter, resulting in a tremendous power loss. Below is a list of common AC appliances, the power requirements when operating from a DC power source, and a list of DC appliances which are commonly available over the internet and major retail outlets.
APPLIANCE SHOPPING HINT: Did you know that major retailers of DC appliances include "Travel Centers" or "Truck Stops" found along many interstate highways?
AC & DC Appliance Worksheets
NOTE: THE WATTAGES BELOW ARE ESTIMATES. THE ACTUAL WATTAGE REQUIRED FOR YOUR APPLIANCES MAY DIFFER FROM THOSE LISTED. CHECK THE DATAPLATE ON THE APPLIANCE TO DETERMINE THE ACTUAL WATTAGE REQUIRED.
DC Appliances:
Download the 12 VDC Appliance List in PDF format here
AC Appliances:
Download the 110 VAC Appliance List in PDF format here
Download the 220 VAC Appliance List in PDF format here
110 Volt AC
|
110 Volt Appliance or Accessory |
AC Appliance Rating in Watts |
DC Amp Draw |
| Blender |
300 |
27.50 |
| Blow Dryer |
900 |
82.50 |
| Cappuccino Maker |
1250 |
114.58 |
| Clock |
1 |
0.09 |
| Coffee Grinder |
100 |
9.17 |
Coffee Maker
(while brewing) |
800 |
73.33 |
| CD / DVD Player |
35 |
3.21 |
| Computer - Laptop |
60 |
5.50 |
| Computer - PC and Monitor |
100 |
9.17 |
| Computer - Inkjet Printer |
70 |
6.42 |
| Crock Pot - 6 Quart |
270 |
24.75 |
| Curling Iron |
1000 |
91.67 |
| Drill - 1/4" |
250 |
22.92 |
| Electric Blanket |
200 |
18.33 |
Electric Fan -
Box, 21" on high |
166 |
15.22 |
Electric Fan -
21" on medium |
117 |
10.73 |
Electric Fan -
21" on low |
87 |
7.98 |
| Electric Skillet |
1000 |
91.67 |
| Fan, Table |
18 |
1.65 |
| Hair Dryer |
1500 |
137.50 |
| Iron |
1000 |
91.67 |
Light: Compact Flourescent Bulb Equivalent to
40 Watt Incandescent |
11 |
1.01 |
Light: Compact Flourescent Bulb Equivalent to
60 Watt Incandescent |
15 |
1.38 |
Light: Compact Flourescent Bulb Equivalent to
75 Watt Incandescent |
20 |
1.83 |
Light: Compact Flourescent Bulb Equivalent to
100 Watt Incandescent |
26 |
2.38 |
| Light: Incandescent Light Bulb 40 Watt |
40 |
3.67 |
| Light: Incandescent Light Bulb 60 Watt |
60 |
5.50 |
| Light: Incandescent Light Bulb 75 Watt |
75 |
6.88 |
| Light: Incandescent Light Bulb 100 Watt |
100 |
9.17 |
| Microwave 1000W |
1100 |
100.83 |
| Radio Telephone (Receive) |
5 |
0.46 |
| Radio Telephone(Transmit) |
40 |
3.67 |
| 14 Cu Ft. Refrigerator |
30 |
2.75 |
| 20 Cu. Ft. Refrigerator |
30 |
2.75 |
| Satellite Dish |
30 |
2.75 |
| Electric Shaver |
15 |
1.38 |
| Space Heater |
1200 |
110.00 |
| Television 12" B&W |
30 |
2.75 |
| Television 13" Color TV/VCR Combo |
50 |
4.6 |
| Television 19" Color |
60 |
5.5 |
| Television 25" Color |
100 |
9.17 |
| Toaster |
1000 |
91.67 |
| Toaster Oven |
1200 |
110.00 |
| Vacuum (Handheld) |
150 |
13.75 |
| VCR |
40 |
3.67 |
| Waffle Iron |
1200 |
110.00 |
| Washing Machine |
600 |
55.00 |
12 Volt DC
|
Commonly Available DC Appliances |
DC Amp Draw |
| AutoPilot |
2.0 |
| Bilge Pump |
4.0 |
| Blender |
8.0 |
| CD / DVD Player |
3.2 |
| Citrus Juicer |
7.0 |
| Coffee Maker |
10.0 |
| Curling Iron |
1.3 |
| Depth Sounder (Backlit) |
0.1 |
| Fan, 14" Box Fan on High |
2.8 |
| Fan, 14" Box Fan on Low |
1.2 |
| Fan, 7" On High Speed |
1.3 |
| Fan, 7" On Low Speed |
0.6 |
| Food Processor |
9.0 |
| GPS - Fixed Mount |
0.5 |
| Grill (like George Foreman) |
15.0 |
| Hair Dryer |
14.0 |
| Heated Blanket - Single |
4.2 |
| Heated Blanket - Double |
6.7 |
| Heater, Ceramic |
15.0 |
| Laptop Computer |
3.0 |
| Electric Marine Head |
1.3 |
| Light: 5 Watt |
0.4 |
| Light: 10 Watt |
0.8 |
| Light: 20 Watt |
1.7 |
| Light: 25 Watt |
2.0 |
| Light: 55 Watt Sealed Beam |
4.6 |
| Light: Fluorescent, 16 Watt |
1.4 |
| Light: Fluorescent, 30 Watt |
2.2 |
| Light: 400,000 Candlepower |
5.5 |
| Light: 3,000,000 Candlepower |
10.0 |
| Microwave - 450 Watt Power |
65.0 |
| Popcorn Maker |
13.0 |
18V Power Tools, Rechargeable;
Using a 12V Recharger |
4.0 |
| Radar Antenna |
3.0 |
| Radio: Handheld, Rechargeable |
2.5 |
| Refrigerator in LP Gas Mode |
1.6 |
| 9 CU. FT. Refrigerator/Freezer |
2.9 |
| 11.4 CU. FT. Refrigerator/Freezer |
5.8 |
| 14.4 CU. FT. Refrigerator/Freezer |
5.8 |
| 17.4 CU. FT. Refrigerator/Freezer |
9.7 |
| Sandwich Maker |
5.0 |
| Electric Saucepan |
13.0 |
| Television 13" |
4.5 |
| TV Antenna Booster |
1.0 |
| Toaster |
13.0 |
| Toaster Oven on Low |
7.3 |
| Toaster Oven on High |
10.0 |
| Vacuum, 1 Gallon Wet/Dry Canister |
10.0 |
| Vacuum, Hand, w/ Rollers or Hose |
13.0 |
| Variable Speed Ceiling / Vent Fan |
4.0 |
| VCR Recorder / Player |
2.0 |
| VHF Radio - Transmit |
5.8 |
| VHF Radio - Standby |
0.6 |
| Water Pump 1 GPM |
1.0 |
| Water Pump 2 GPM |
5.5 |
| Water Pump 3.5 GPM |
8.5 |
|
