Inverter Charger
What is an Inverter/Charger?
In an off grid solar power system, the batteries are charged with solar panels. Depending on your system, solar power alone may not be enough to charge the battery bank in the winter, when the days are shorter. In these cases, an AC generator can be used to help keep the battery charged. An inverter/charger would convert the AC power from the generator to charge the DC battery bank. An off grid inverter/charger would be converting the power in both directions, from AC to DC to charge the battery from the AC generator, and converting the DC power from the battery to AC for your appliances. Some inverter/chargers even have the option to remotely start a generator when the batteries’ charge level gets too low.
An inverter is a critical piece of equipment in any PV system. The inverter takes DC power, either from your solar panels or batteries, and turns it into AC power, ready and usable for your household appliances.
Off-Grid Inverters
Off-grid inverters connect to a battery bank and change DC battery power into household AC power. Off-grid inverters work with 12v, 24v or 48v battery banks.
The AC output is typically 120Vac for smaller inverters, and 120/240Vac for larger units.
Some off-grid inverters have an extra connection that enables them to function like a grid-tie inverter and sell power into the grid. This is useful if you start out off-the-grid but plan for power lines in the future, or if you live in an area where utility power is unreliable.
Off-grid inverters are a little complicated, due to the extra components involved in an off-grid system.
Pure Sinewave
- More expensive
- High quality output power
- Compatible with most appliances
You’ll hear inverter manufacturers use phrases such as pure sinewave and modified sinewave. This is a measurement of the quality of the AC output power. Pure sinewave inverters put out power that is as good, or potentially better, than what is coming from the power grid. Almost all appliances will work with pure sinewave inverters.
Modified Sinewave
- Lower cost
- Low quality output power
- Only compatible with certain appliances
Modified sinewave inverters have lower power quality which causes issues with certain appliances. Motors, pumps and compressors (like your fridge) will tend to run hotter and burn out quicker. Modified sinewave inverters can be problematic for sensitive electronic devices, often causing lines on your TV screen and a buzzing sound from the speakers. Some appliances won’t work at all on a modified sinewave inverter. For these reasons, we recommend sticking with a pure sinewave inverter unless you are sure your appliances can work on modified sinewave power.
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When you buy an Inverter/Charger you can ask the manufature to customize it: voltage range, voltage low battery, shut down voltage low battery, restart voltage low battery .. Very important if you plan to use Lithium battery ..
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