Washing machine: how much battery you need
Washing machine draws about 750 W (500–1000 W range), runs 60% of the time and uses 450 Wh per day. Start-up surge: 2300 W.
Wash cold on backup: the motor is small, the water heater is what draws most. Champion lists 500–1000 W running; we use the middle for energy and the top starting figure (2300 W) for the peak.
Battery needed
| Hours | Wh | Battery (Wh) | Inverter (W) |
|---|---|---|---|
| For 8 hours | 150 | 228 | 826 / 2300 |
| For 24 hours | 450 | 682 | 826 / 2300 |
| For 72 hours | 1350 | 2046 | 826 / 2300 |
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Stations that fit (24 h)
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FAQ
How many watts does a Washing machine use?
Typically 750 W while running, with a range of 500–1000 W depending on model and age. Start-up surge can reach 2300 W.
How long will a 1000 Wh power station run a Washing machine?
About 1.5 hours on the clock, allowing for the 60% duty cycle, inverter losses and a 20% reserve.
What size power station do I need for a Washing machine overnight (8 h)?
About 228 Wh of battery and an inverter rated at least 826 W continuous with 2300 W surge.
Can I run a Washing machine on solar during an outage?
You need roughly 300 W of panels in winter to replace a day's use (450 Wh), charging through a station with a big enough MPPT input.
Other appliances
Inverter efficiency 88%, usable depth of discharge 90%, reserve 20%. Full method: How we calculate. source