Batteries to AC Inverters

Installation

• Power inverters are typically the last step in harnessing electricity from renewable energy systems, such as wind turbines or solar panels. Power inverters should be connected using the shortest possible cable length with the thickest possible wire. Power inverters are specialized pieces of equipment; there are a variety of connection cables that are used between different inverter models. Consult the manufacturer of your power inverter before installing the input cables from the battery bank. Unless you are extremely familiar and knowledgeable with home electrical systems, you should hire a professional electrician to connect the power inverter with the electrical panel. Typically, inverters 1,500 watts and under use No. 4 AWG (American Wire Gauge), but in some cases, the cable size can increase to No. 2 or No. 0. Inverters over 1,500 watts should use No. 1/0 or larger.

Types of Power Inverters

• The two basic types of power inverters are pure sine wave and modified sine wave inverters. Pure sine wave inverters produce a more reliable and cleaner electrical signal and are more expensive than the modified sine wave inverters. Modified sine wave inverters typically work well smaller appliances, however, sensitive electronics, such as computers, copiers, power tools and digital clocks should be connected to a pure sine wave inverter.

Stackable Inverters

• Some inverters are designed with stackable features, meaning that a pair of identical inverters can be connected into a series or parallel circuit configuration. If you are using your battery bank to power large voltage loads, such as 220-volt appliances, you may want to consider purchasing two 110-volt inverters and connecting them into a series circuit in order to double the voltage output. It is important to note that not all inverters are able to be stacked.

Sizing

• Inverters should be sized to exceed the voltage of the power source by at least 10 percent. It is also recommended that the inverter's wattage is calculated to exceed the peak surge of your appliances by 20 percent. The peak surge of each appliance, unless it is specifically given on the label for the appliance, can safely be assumed to weigh in at twice the continuous operating wattage load of the appliance. Helpful formulas for these calculations include multiplying DC Amps by 120 to equal watts. Convert AC watts to DC amps by dividing by 12 and multiplying by 1.1.