Draper 12V DC-AC Inverter, 200W

Turn your vehicle's 12V battery into a portable 230V power source. The Draper IN200/USB is a compact 200W power inverter that converts 12V DC from a car, van, caravan, boat or HGV battery into 230V AC mains power — letting you run standard UK three-pin appliances wherever the road, river or campsite takes you. With a built-in USB charging port, overload alarm and reverse polarity protection, it's a versatile, well-protected power solution for life away from the mains.

Key Features & Benefits

230V Mains Power from Any 12V Battery

The IN200/USB bridges the gap between your vehicle's 12V electrical system and the 230V appliances you rely on every day. Whether you need to run a laptop, charge a camera, power a small television or keep tools and devices topped up while away from home, the IN200/USB delivers a continuous 200W output — with a 400W peak capability to handle the brief surge demand that many appliances produce at start-up.

Standard UK Three-Pin Socket Output

The inverter outputs through a standard UK three-pin socket, which means any appliance with a standard UK plug works without adaptors, converters or any additional equipment. It's a straightforward, practical design choice that makes the IN200/USB immediately useful straight out of the box.

Built-In USB Charging Port

Alongside the mains socket, the IN200/USB includes a USB port for charging mobile phones, tablets and other USB-powered devices simultaneously. Rather than using a separate car charger or occupying the mains socket with a USB adaptor, you can charge a device via USB and run a mains appliance at the same time — a genuinely useful convenience for longer journeys and extended off-grid stays.

Overload Alarm for Appliance Protection

Running an appliance that exceeds the inverter's capacity can damage both the appliance and the inverter itself. The IN200/USB is fitted with an overload alarm that alerts you before damage occurs, giving you the opportunity to reduce the load rather than discovering a problem after the fact. It's a straightforward but important safety feature for anyone using the inverter with unfamiliar equipment.

Reverse Polarity Protection

Connecting a power inverter the wrong way around — positive to negative and vice versa — is a common and potentially costly mistake, particularly when working in confined spaces or low-light conditions. The IN200/USB includes reverse polarity protection that safeguards both the inverter and your vehicle's electrical system if the connections are made incorrectly, giving you an important layer of security during setup.

Ideal for Caravans, Boats, HGVs and Motorhomes

The IN200/USB is designed for exactly the kind of environments where mains power isn't always available but is frequently needed. Caravanners can run small appliances between sites, boat owners can power electronics away from a marina hookup, HGV drivers can charge devices and run equipment during rest stops, and motorhome users gain the flexibility of mains-equivalent power wherever they park up. The compact form factor means it takes up minimal space in any of these environments.

Modified Sine Wave Output

The IN200/USB produces a modified sine wave output, which is compatible with the majority of common appliances including laptops, phone chargers, televisions, LED lighting and most small kitchen appliances. For sensitive equipment such as certain medical devices or high-precision audio equipment, a pure sine wave inverter would be recommended — but for the vast majority of everyday use cases, modified sine wave performance is entirely adequate.

Who Is This For?

The Draper IN200/USB is a practical choice for:

• Caravanners and motorhome travellers who need 230V mains power between hook-up points or at off-grid locations
• Boat and narrowboat owners who want a compact power solution for electronics and small appliances when away from a marina
• HGV and van drivers needing to charge devices, run a laptop or power equipment during rest breaks and overnight stops
• Outdoor and camping enthusiasts who want to power standard UK appliances from a leisure battery or vehicle
• Emergency preparedness — keeping an inverter in the car provides a backup power source for essential devices if mains power is unavailable
• Tradespeople working away from site power who need to run a low-wattage tool or charge devices from a vehicle battery

What Can a 200W Inverter Power?

Understanding the 200W continuous output helps you use the IN200/USB confidently and safely. As a general guide, 200W continuous is sufficient for:

For higher-wattage appliances, a higher-capacity inverter would be required.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 200W continuous and 400W peak power? Continuous power (200W) is the maximum the inverter can sustain indefinitely during normal use. Peak power (400W) refers to the brief surge the inverter can handle when an appliance first starts up — many motors and compressors momentarily draw more power at start-up than they do once running. The 400W peak ensures the IN200/USB can cope with this start-up demand without tripping, even if the appliance's running wattage is well within the 200W continuous limit.

What is a modified sine wave and does it matter? A modified sine wave is an approximation of the smooth sine wave that mains electricity provides. It works perfectly well with most common appliances — laptops, chargers, televisions, LED lights and small kitchen appliances. Some sensitive equipment, particularly certain medical devices, high-end audio equipment and some motor-driven tools, may perform better or more quietly with a pure sine wave inverter. For everyday use in a caravan, boat or vehicle, modified sine wave is entirely sufficient for the vast majority of applications.

How do I connect the IN200/USB to my vehicle battery? The IN200/USB connects directly to a 12V vehicle battery via the supplied leads — positive to positive and negative to negative. The reverse polarity protection feature safeguards the unit and your vehicle's electrical system if the connections are accidentally reversed.

Will it drain my car battery? Any inverter will draw current from your battery while in use. It is advisable to run the IN200/USB with the vehicle engine running to avoid draining a standard starter battery, particularly over extended periods. For longer off-grid use, connecting to a dedicated leisure battery is recommended.

Can I use the USB port and the mains socket at the same time? Yes. The IN200/USB is designed for simultaneous use of the USB charging port and the 230V mains socket, providing flexible charging options without requiring additional equipment.

What triggers the overload alarm? The overload alarm activates when the total power draw of connected appliances approaches or exceeds the inverter's rated capacity. This alerts you to reduce the load before any damage occurs to the inverter or the connected appliances.

Full Specification