FAQ

An inverter is a DC-powered device that takes DC power (battery or solar, for example) and converts it into AC “household” power for running electronics/electrical equipment and appliances

An UPS typically includes the battery and battery charger in one stand-alone unit. The input voltage window for UPS is comparatively less than that of the inverter. However, there are UPS systems that use external batteries, and Power Stream makes inverters with battery chargers, so the differences blur as features proliferate.

Some inexpensive stereos use power supplies that cannot eliminate common-mode noise. These would require a sine wave inverter to operate noise-free.

Yes, you can. All appropriate rating inverters can easily and safely supply power to a computer. In fact, the output voltage from an inverter is often better than that from the electricity grid.

Yes. You can connect any model of microwave to your inverter, but keep in mind that a 800 watt microwave consumes 1200 to 1300 watt from the 230V system, so you must make sure you choose the appropriate rating inverter.

In general, you can connect almost any appliance to an inverter, with a few practical exceptions. Although the inverter can easily supply a heavy load like an electric heater, the battery capacity is often too low to maintain the supply for a longer duration of time. The same applies to air conditioning units. As long as the battery capacity is high enough, you can use a high-rating inverter to run a washing machine, a large single cooking element, or a small two-ring electric cooker.

Determine Continuous Load and Starting (Peak) Load: You need to determine how much power your tool or appliance (or combination of them that you would use at the same time) requires to start up (starting load), and also the continued running requirements (continuous load).

What is meant by the terms “continuous-2000 watts” and “peak surge-4000 watts” is that some appliances or tools, such as ones with a motor, require an initial surge of power to start up (“starting load” or “peak load”). Once started, the tool or appliance requires less power to continue to operate (“continuous load”)

Helpful formulas: 
To Convert AMPS to WATTS:
Multiply: AMPS * AC (voltage) * η (efficiency of Inverter) = WATTS 
This formula yields a close approximation of the continuous load of the appliance 
To calculate the approximate Startup Load:
Multiply: WATTS * 2 = Starting Load
This formula yields a close approximation of the starting load of the appliance, though some may require an even greater starting load.

NOTE: Induction motors such as air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, and pumps may have a start-up surge of 3 to 7 times the continuous rating.

Most often the start-up load of the appliance or power tool determines whether an inverter has the capability to power it.

When choosing batteries for your battery bank, you should consider two things; what you are running and how long you want to run your system.

Now you can take the output AC amps and multiply them by the volts output (vac) to figure watts.  Then, watts divided by input volts (VDC) give the DC amps consumed per hour.  Once you have your DC amps per hour, you need to include the power loss through the inversion, which is about 10%.  Generally, you should just multiply your DC amps per hour by 1.1 and this will give you the right amount in your final DC amps required total.

Amps ac (your load) x Volts ac = Watts

Watts/Voltage dc = Amps dc per hour required

Amps dc per hour  x  1.1 = actual Amps dc

Modified is a blocky sine wave and a pure sine is a cleaner rounded sine wave.   A pure sine wave is as close to city power as it gets via an inverter.  Pure sine inverters are intended for sensitive electronics and some motors.  Modified sine inverters should work with the majority of devices.

• Advantages of Pure Sine Wave inverters over modified sine wave inverters:
• Output voltage waveform is a pure sine wave with very low harmonic distortion and clean power like utility-supplied electricity.
• Inductive loads like microwave ovens and motors run faster, quieter, and cooler.
• Reduces audible and electrical noise in fans, fluorescent lights, audio amplifiers, TV, Game consoles, Fax, and answering machines.
• Prevents crashes in computers, and glitches and noise in monitors.
• Reliably powers the following devices that will normally not work with modified sine wave inverters:
• Laser printers, photocopiers, magneto-optical hard drives
• Certain laptop computers (you should check with your manufacturer)
• Some new furnaces and pellet stoves with microprocessor control
• Sewing machines with speed/microprocessor control
• Medical equipment such as oxygen concentrators
• The difference between them is the Pure Sine Wave inverter produces a better and cleaner current.
• They are also considerably more expensive. You might find it practical to get a small Pure Sine Wave inverter for any “special need” you may have, and also a larger Modified Sine Wave inverter for the rest of your applications.

Transfer switches are designed to isolate multiple sources of AC power.  When one source of power is eliminated from the system, the next source of power is automatically applied.  Also, the AIMS Power transfer switch unit is easily installed via separate terminals for each power source.

The advantages of different voltages are as follows.  A higher voltage battery bank can be more efficient, due to smaller cable sizes which can lead to less current, less voltage drop, and less heat.    Also, higher voltage battery banks typically have multiple batteries in series to increase the voltage; this increases the amount of charge and discharge cycles your batteries are capable of handling. Disadvantages for different voltages are as follows, lower voltage battery banks are typically used for smaller systems and these battery banks may be less efficient and may consume more DC power than higher voltage systems.

Solar inverter is a kind of device that changes direct current to alternating current. It can provide power for AC load in the conditions of no AC. It can be applied to the following sites:

1. cars, ships and airplanes: inverter can provide power for AC load by use of DC power of these vehicles.

2. In the places of no power, inverter can provide AC for users with other generating equipment (solar energy, wind energy and all kinds of fuel generators). For example, inverter can be assorted with diesel generator to shorten working time of the generator, save fuel and reduce generating cost.

3. Provide temporary AC power by use of portable power.

Before purchasing any inverter, the following questions should be made clearly: DC voltage, loading size and type . Generally, DC voltage of the inverter has only one grade, users can choose corresponding inverter according to DC power supply. Loading size and type are the important factors that users should consider when select any inverter. Maximum output power of inverter is fixed, if choose loading with compressor, its starting power will exceed several times of rated power, so inverters with big output power have to be chosen as a result.

• Never leave an inverter connected to a line where other power (Vac) may feed into the inverter.  It doesn’t matter if the inverter is on or off.  Unless your inverter is a grid tie inverter.
• Using inverters in moist areas is a common cause for their drivers to burn out.  Even an outdoor extension cord that was lying in a puddle a day previously may have enough moisture to burn out the drivers of the inverter.  Tip: if using the inverter in rain one day, allow cords that may have gotten wet to dry a few days before using in inverter again
• Always prevent foreign objects from entering the inverter through the vent or fan openings
• Keep cables between inverter and batteries as short as possible.  This will help your batteries perform their best.
• Always use sealed batteries if you want to keep the inverter close to the battery bank.
• Don’t over-tighten nuts to the battery or inverter, but do check them occasionally to ensure they are snug.
• If the cables between your battery and inverter get hot while under heavy load, then you should consider using heavier cables
• Both “hot” and “neutral” lines are hot on many inverters.  Do not ground the neutral line.  Do not connect neutral to panels that may have neutral grounded unless you are sure that the input and outputs of the inverter are isolated.  Call the inverter manufacturer to verify.
• Using a 12Vdc inverter, your input Voltage should never exceed 15Vdc (17Vdc for some models) or the inverter may shut down with Over Temp and you should hear an audible beep.  This may cause permanent damage to an inverter
• When selecting an inverter, try to buy one that will stay in the continuous operating range and do not rely on advertised surges.  This will help your inverter last longer and operate more efficiently.
• Standard 110Vac outlets are typically rated at 1500W or 15Amps.  This is for heat dissipation through the outlet and is typically not a limitation of the inverter
• If cables need to be run, it is best to keep the inverter as close as possible to your sealed deep-cycle batteries.  Use extension cords on the output side (AC output) rather than extending the DC cables.  Tip:  Contractors often need to mount the inverter in the back of their trucks.  In a case like this, it would be best to mount a secondary battery near the inverter and wire it to the primary truck battery.
• An inline fuse is recommended in any inverter system, to protect your batteries from a ground fault fire.
• Ac plug testers do not work with most inverters.  You will see an open ground
• Be aware of lightning storms.  If struck, the inverter could go to a permanent Overload state and may even smoke.
• AC extension cords should not exceed 100 feet or you will have a voltage drop and not push enough power down the line.
• Inverters emit RF and may cause interference.  This is noticeable in AM radio and often monitors and computer mice
• Never parallel multiple inverter outputs.  This will generally burn the ac drivers out.
• If the inverter does not turn on or has a constant beeping sound, verify you have the proper input voltage supplied to it.  Also, ensure the battery connections are clean and secure.
• Never start a vehicle with the inverter turned on, this will cause eventual and permanent damage to inverters
• If you do run cables from the battery to the inverter that have any chance of shorting to a chassis or ground, it is best to fuse the + battery cable nearest to the battery as possible

Solar inverters convert the electricity from your solar panels into power that can be used by the plugs in your house for your TV and other wired products.Panels can’t create AC power by themselves; they need the helping hand of a solar inverter.

1.Please check whether the inverter meets damages in operation or not before installing it.

2.Please make sure it will never be disturbed by any electric or electronic equipment that has been installed in the vicinity.

3.Before each electrical connection, please cover each solar panel with opaque materials or switch off the DC side breaker. If solar arrays are exposed in the sun, they will generate dangerous voltages.

4.All the installation and operation must only be finished by professionals.

5.All the wires and cables inside a solar PV system must be tightly connected, making sure no electricity will leak. Their specifications must be appropriate.

6.All the electric appliances’ installations must meet the local or national standards.

7.If you want to connect your inverter to the national grid, you must get the permission of the local power bureau and ask professionals to finish the connection.

8.If your inverter needs repairing, you must switch off the electrical connection between the inverter and the national grid, and then switch off the DC side electricity connection.

9.Please wait at least 5 minutes until the inner components have all released power, and then repair.

10.Any trouble that affects the inverter’s safety functions must be completely solved before you reboot the inverter.

11.Avoid unnecessary circuit touches.

12.Adhere to static electricity protection standards, and wear static electricity-proof protectors.

13.Please take notice and adhere to the warning on the product.

14.You had better keep a proof checking of the device and make sure it is not damaged or in danger before you operate it.

15.Please make sure your inverter is not too hot, dusty or moist.