backchannel/backlog: inverters aren’t magic

I just noticed I have 28 (!) drafts I never publshed.  Will start pushing them out if they are anywhere near done.

---

Beginners have many illusions about powering things offgrid.    In this exchange we see two of the biggest ones:

1. heating/cooling using electricity made from solar

2. the apparent belief that inverters or other devices create limitless power from (the air?  the ether?)

OP:  I'll prob be running a few led lights, a laptop, small **a water heater,** a water pump and fan, but those will be connected to DC...  **it's all very low amperage drains**

Me:  The water heater is 1440w.

OP:   Watts are not amperage.

Me:  divide 1440w by your battery voltage

OP:  Water heater is running of the invertor feed at 120v with 12amps

Me:  The inverter is powered by the battery, ~120A before inverter losses.

OP:  Well the invertor is going to be hooked up to a 200A breaker.

I like helping people.   Life is difficult enough without having to make every mistake for onself.  I am reminded of something Dennis Miller said (pre-9/11):  _"there are people you can't help;  the best you can do is not be sitting next to them when they blow themselves up."_