What is the difference between an inverter and an inverter/charger?

A plain inverter only converts battery DC power into usable AC power for outlets and appliances when you are off shore power. An inverter/charger adds a battery charger that recharges the bank from shore power or a generator, plus an automatic transfer switch that decides which source is actually powering the RV's outlets at any moment, combining what would otherwise be two or three separate components into one enclosure.

Do I need to replace my converter if I install this?

Generally, yes, this unit is meant to replace the converter's charging function rather than run alongside it. Running both an old converter and this unit's charger section at the same time on the same battery bank is not the intended setup and can create charging conflicts. If your converter still works fine, a plain inverter added to the system is usually the simpler and cheaper path.

Will this unit charge a lithium battery correctly?

Yes, provided the unit's charge profile setting is switched to the correct battery chemistry. Owners report that leaving the setting on a lead-acid profile after installing a lithium bank undercharges the battery without any obvious error message, so confirming and setting the correct chemistry profile during installation is an important step, not an optional one.

How fast does the charger section recharge a battery bank?

Renogy does not publish a specific charger amperage figure on this listing, so recharge speed for a given bank size is not something to estimate precisely from the spec sheet alone. If fast recharging a large bank from a generator or shore pedestal is a priority, the Xantrex Freedom XC PRO 2000W publishes a 100A charger rating and is built specifically around that need, at a considerably higher price.

Does this unit need a dedicated shore power inlet?

It needs to be wired into the RV's existing 120V shore power path in order for its transfer switch and charger functions to work, which in most installs means tapping into wiring near the existing converter location or shore power inlet. If your rig does not already have accessible 120V wiring in a reasonable location, budget for that portion of the install separately from the unit's own price.

Is the transfer switch fully automatic?

Yes, the built-in transfer switch detects whether shore power or generator power is present and switches automatically between that source and the inverter drawing from the battery, without manual input. Owners describe the switch as audible when it engages, which is normal operation rather than a sign of a problem.

Can this unit run an RV air conditioner?

At 2000W continuous, it can start and run a single standard rooftop air conditioner in the 13,500 BTU class for most units, though the compressor's startup surge can approach the unit's surge rating depending on the specific air conditioner. Pairing it with a soft start kit on the air conditioner reduces that startup surge and gives more margin, particularly if other loads are also running on the inverter at the same time.

Reviews

Renogy 2000W Pure Sine Inverter/Charger Review

Researched from published standards and manufacturer specifications. Updated 2026-09-17.

Quick answer

The Renogy 2000W Pure Sine Inverter/Charger replaces a separate inverter and converter with one enclosure that inverts from the battery, charges from shore power, and switches between the two automatically. It suits a rig where the existing converter is due for replacement anyway or where panel space is tight. Skip it if your converter already works fine and all you actually need is inverting power, since a plain inverter like the Renogy P2 2000W does that job alone for roughly $294 less.

An inverter/charger is three components folded into one box: an inverter that turns battery DC into usable AC, a battery charger that replenishes the bank from shore power or a generator, and a transfer switch that decides which source is actually feeding the RV's outlets at any given moment. Renogy's 2000W unit does all three, and the appeal is straightforward: fewer boxes, fewer connections, and one transfer switch relay instead of two separate systems that each need their own wiring into the panel. That consolidation is worth something real in a rig with limited electrical bay space, but it is also worth pricing against what you would spend replacing only the piece that actually needs replacing.

This review is researched from Renogy's published specifications and from verified owner reviews on the listing, not from an installed unit tested for this site. The core decision is whether you are replacing a converter and an inverter at the same time, or whether you already have a working converter and only need an inverter added to the system.

What does an inverter/charger actually replace?

In a typical RV electrical system, the converter charges the battery from shore power and the inverter turns battery power into AC when you are off shore power, and those are normally two separate boxes with two separate sets of wiring into the AC panel. An inverter/charger combines both roles and adds a transfer switch that automatically decides whether the RV's outlets are being fed by shore power passing through, or by the inverter drawing from the battery, without you flipping anything manually. The practical benefit is one unit instead of two, one set of AC wiring into the panel instead of two, and one relay switching instead of a separate manual or automatic transfer switch bought and wired on its own.

What it does not include

The unit does not include the battery bank it charges or inverts from, and it does not include a dedicated 30A or 50A shore power inlet if your rig does not already have one wired to the panel. It also does not resolve neutral-ground bonding on its own; when an inverter/charger takes over as the power source during an outage or off-grid use, the system's neutral-ground bonding needs to be handled correctly so it does not conflict with a shore power pedestal's own bonding when reconnected. That is an installation detail worth getting a qualified 12V and 120V installer to confirm rather than assuming the unit handles automatically.

2000W inverter/chargers compared

All four units here invert at 2000W continuous with a pure sine waveform and include a charger section. Charger amperage, the figure that decides recharge speed, is not published by every manufacturer.

2000W inverter/chargers, published specifications
Unit	Surge watts	Charger amps	Price
Renogy 2000W	6000W	Not published	$579.99
VEVOR 2000W	Not published	Not published	$257.68
Ampinvt 2000W	6000W	Not published	$345.00
Xantrex Freedom XC PRO 2000W	Not published	100A	$1,216.32

Published standard Source: Manufacturer spec sheets on the product listings, current at time of writing..

What owners report

Owners consistently report that the transfer switch relay is audible when it engages, which several describe as reassuring confirmation that the switchover happened rather than a defect. A recurring point in owner feedback is that the internal cooling fan runs periodically even at low or idle load, which is worth knowing if the unit is mounted near a sleeping area. Owners charging lithium banks report the charge profile working correctly once the correct battery chemistry is selected in the unit's settings, with more than one review flagging that leaving the setting on a lead-acid profile after switching batteries silently undercharges a lithium bank, a setup mistake rather than a hardware flaw.

Who should not buy this inverter/charger

Skip this unit if your existing RV converter is functioning correctly and all you actually need is an inverter added to the system. A plain inverter, such as the Renogy P2 2000W, does that one job for roughly $294 less and does not require touching the converter wiring or the transfer switch logic at all. This unit earns its price specifically when the converter also needs replacing, when panel space is tight enough that consolidating into one box matters, or when the automatic transfer switch function itself is the feature you are buying.

Never work on the unit's AC wiring while it is connected to shore power or a generator. An inverter/charger's transfer switch means both the battery side and the AC input side can carry live voltage into the same enclosure, and disconnecting only one source is not the same as making the unit safe to open. Disconnect shore power, disconnect the battery, and confirm with a meter before working inside the enclosure or its wiring.

Alternatives to the Renogy 2000W Inverter/Charger

VEVOR is the honest budget pick, doing the same three jobs for meaningfully less money if you are not chasing a specific charger amperage. The Xantrex is only worth its price premium if fast recharging a large bank is a real, recurring need, not a nice-to-have.

Intermediate Cheaper, same three functions

VEVOR

VEVOR 2000W Pure Sine Inverter/Charger

$257.68

The lowest-cost way to get inverter, charger, and transfer switch in one enclosure at $257.68, over $300 less than the Renogy, a genuinely fine budget option if you do not need a documented high-amperage charger stage.

Best for: A budget combined unit.

Check price on Amazon

Intermediate 6000W surge, mid-range

AMPINVT

Ampinvt 2000W Pure Sine Inverter/Charger

$345.00

A 6000W surge rating alongside its charger section at $345.00, useful if starting a motor load like a compressor fridge or a small power tool is part of the plan.

Best for: Motor loads plus shore charging.

Check price on Amazon

Expert Fast charger for large banks

Xantrex

Xantrex Freedom XC PRO 2000W Inverter/Charger

$1,216.32

A 100A charger section at $1,216.32, well above the others here, which is the specification that decides how quickly a large lithium bank refills from a generator or shore pedestal.

Best for: Fast recharging a large lithium bank.

Check price on Amazon

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an inverter and an inverter/charger?: A plain inverter only converts battery DC power into usable AC power for outlets and appliances when you are off shore power. An inverter/charger adds a battery charger that recharges the bank from shore power or a generator, plus an automatic transfer switch that decides which source is actually powering the RV's outlets at any moment, combining what would otherwise be two or three separate components into one enclosure.
Do I need to replace my converter if I install this?: Generally, yes, this unit is meant to replace the converter's charging function rather than run alongside it. Running both an old converter and this unit's charger section at the same time on the same battery bank is not the intended setup and can create charging conflicts. If your converter still works fine, a plain inverter added to the system is usually the simpler and cheaper path.
Will this unit charge a lithium battery correctly?: Yes, provided the unit's charge profile setting is switched to the correct battery chemistry. Owners report that leaving the setting on a lead-acid profile after installing a lithium bank undercharges the battery without any obvious error message, so confirming and setting the correct chemistry profile during installation is an important step, not an optional one.
How fast does the charger section recharge a battery bank?: Renogy does not publish a specific charger amperage figure on this listing, so recharge speed for a given bank size is not something to estimate precisely from the spec sheet alone. If fast recharging a large bank from a generator or shore pedestal is a priority, the Xantrex Freedom XC PRO 2000W publishes a 100A charger rating and is built specifically around that need, at a considerably higher price.
Does this unit need a dedicated shore power inlet?: It needs to be wired into the RV's existing 120V shore power path in order for its transfer switch and charger functions to work, which in most installs means tapping into wiring near the existing converter location or shore power inlet. If your rig does not already have accessible 120V wiring in a reasonable location, budget for that portion of the install separately from the unit's own price.
Is the transfer switch fully automatic?: Yes, the built-in transfer switch detects whether shore power or generator power is present and switches automatically between that source and the inverter drawing from the battery, without manual input. Owners describe the switch as audible when it engages, which is normal operation rather than a sign of a problem.
Can this unit run an RV air conditioner?: At 2000W continuous, it can start and run a single standard rooftop air conditioner in the 13,500 BTU class for most units, though the compressor's startup surge can approach the unit's surge rating depending on the specific air conditioner. Pairing it with a soft start kit on the air conditioner reduces that startup surge and gives more margin, particularly if other loads are also running on the inverter at the same time.

Buy this when the converter and the inverter both need attention at the same time. That is when consolidating into one box actually saves money and wiring versus replacing each piece separately. If the converter is fine, spend the difference on a plain inverter instead and leave a working system alone.