Victron Energy Phoenix 12V 1.2kVA 120V Inverter, UL 458, NEMA 5-15R Receptacle
SKU: PIN122122500
Product Summary
The Victron Phoenix 12V 1200VA is a pure sine wave inverter that converts 12VDC battery power to 120VAC at up to 1000W continuous with 2200W peak surge. Built with a toroidal transformer topology, UL 458 certified, and configurable via VE.Direct for integration into Victron monitoring systems.
Specifications:
- Continuous output: 1200VA / 1000W, peak 2200W
- Battery input: 12VDC (9.2-17V range)
- AC output: 120V 60Hz pure sine wave, NEMA 5-15R outlet
- Full-bridge toroidal transformer topology, 91% max efficiency
- Zero-load draw: 7W (1W in ECO mode)
- VE.Direct communication, configurable via app with Bluetooth dongle (sold separately)
- Short-circuit, overload, overheat, and voltage protection
- Screw terminal DC connection (up to 2 AWG)
- UL 458 certified, 5-year warranty
- Weight: 16.3 lbs, Dimensions: 4.6 x 9.1 x 14.3 in
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About the Victron Phoenix 12V 1200VA Inverter
The Phoenix is a standalone 12V DC-to-AC inverter for systems that need clean 120V power from a battery bank without the complexity of an inverter-charger. It doesn't charge batteries and it doesn't have AC passthrough. It takes 12V DC in and puts 120V 60Hz pure sine wave out through a NEMA 5-15R receptacle. That simplicity is the point: it's the right inverter when you already have charging handled separately and just need reliable AC output.
Output and Surge
1000W continuous at 25°C, derating to 850W at 40°C. Peak surge is 2200W, which is enough to start most small motor loads, power tool converters, and LED lamp drivers without tripping the overload protection. The pure sine wave output runs sensitive electronics (laptops, medical devices, audio equipment) without the noise and compatibility issues that come with modified sine wave inverters.
Toroidal Transformer Design
The Phoenix uses a full-bridge topology with a toroidal transformer rather than a high-frequency transformerless design. Toroidal inverters are heavier and less efficient at light loads than transformerless units, but they handle surge loads better and produce a cleaner waveform with less harmonic distortion. The tradeoff is 16.3 lbs and 91% peak efficiency. For a 12V system running intermittent loads, the surge capability usually matters more than shaving a few percent off efficiency.
ECO Mode
At zero load, the Phoenix draws 7W. ECO mode drops that to approximately 1W by switching the inverter to standby and pulsing on briefly every 2.5 seconds (adjustable) to check for a load. When it detects demand above a configurable threshold (minimum 15W), it turns fully on. This is useful in systems where the inverter stays connected but loads are intermittent, like an RV or a cabin where you don't want to drain the battery bank overnight powering nothing.
VE.Direct and Configuration
The VE.Direct port on the Phoenix connects to the Victron ecosystem. Plug in a VE.Direct cable to a Cerbo GX for remote monitoring and system integration, or add a VE.Direct Bluetooth Smart Dongle for wireless configuration from the VictronConnect app. Configurable settings include low battery voltage alarm and cutoff levels, dynamic load-dependent cutoff, output voltage, frequency, and ECO mode behavior.
Remote On/Off
A two-pole connector on the inverter accepts a remote on/off switch, so you can control the inverter from a panel or switch location without walking to the unit. This is standard in marine and RV installations where the inverter is mounted in a compartment but controlled from the helm or living area.
Protection
The Phoenix is protected against short circuits, overload, overheating, battery voltage too high, battery voltage too low, and DC ripple too high. Overheating protection derates output progressively as temperature rises rather than hard-cutting power, so you get reduced output instead of a sudden shutdown.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Phoenix is an inverter only. It converts 12V DC to 120V AC. It does not charge batteries and does not have an AC input. If you need charging and AC passthrough, look at the Victron MultiPlus-II series.
At full 1000W output on a 12V system, the inverter draws roughly 100A from the battery. Size your battery bank and cabling accordingly. Victron recommends a minimum battery capacity that can sustain the expected load duration without dropping below the low-voltage cutoff (default 9.3V, adjustable).
Yes. Connect a VE.Direct cable from the Phoenix to a Cerbo GX and it shows up in the VRM dashboard alongside your other Victron components.
A pure sine wave inverter produces the same clean AC waveform as grid power. Modified sine wave inverters produce a stepped approximation that can cause buzzing in audio equipment, overheating in some motors, and incompatibility with sensitive electronics. The Phoenix produces pure sine wave output.
ECO mode pulses the inverter on briefly to check for a load. Some very small loads (under 15W) may not be detected, causing the inverter to cycle on and off. You can adjust the sense threshold and retry interval via VictronConnect. For always-on loads like a small refrigerator, leave ECO mode off.
No. This is a 12V model. Victron makes the Phoenix in 24V and 48V versions as separate products.
No. The Phoenix has a VE.Direct port only. To add Bluetooth connectivity for wireless configuration and monitoring through the VictronConnect app, add a VE.Direct Bluetooth Smart Dongle. Note that the VE.Direct port only accepts one device at a time, so if the dongle is plugged in, you can't simultaneously connect a VE.Direct cable to a Cerbo GX from the same port.
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