I’ve heard from my uncle that a car battery can be used to power household appliances, like a fridge, during an outage. I’m curious about the specifics of this setup, particularly how many watts a typical car battery holds and what’s needed to use it as an emergency power source.
Hi Gus,
Your uncle has a pretty handy tip there! To determine the wattage of a car battery, we use the formula Watts = Amps x Volts. Most car batteries operate at 12.6 volts and have a capacity of around 105 amp-hours, which translates to approximately 1,323 watt-hours. This means, theoretically, your uncle is correct; you could use your car battery to power a refrigerator, which typically requires around 1,000 to 2,000 watts to run.
However, to safely convert the battery’s DC power into AC power suitable for household appliances, you’ll need a car inverter. Look for one with at least a 1,500-watt capacity to ensure it can handle the fridge’s load. With the right inverter, your car battery could power the refrigerator for a few hours. But remember, it’s essential to monitor this setup closely to prevent draining the battery completely or causing any damage.
Investing in a car inverter is a wise choice, especially for emergency situations. It’s a relatively small cost for a significant convenience and peace of mind during power outages. Stay safe and prepared!
Best regards,
The Car Middle East Troubleshooting Team
