Power failures and voltage fluctuations are regular problems in most households. It makes sense to invest in a reliable back up power system. Combine inverter and battery is a good power solution for when the electricity goes out or sudden voltage fluctuations. But, due to so many options in the market, it becomes overwhelming to choose the ideal inverter battery setting. In this guide, we will point out the key things to consider, so you can make the best decision for your home.
Understanding Inverters and Batteries
However, before going through the buying guide, we need to know what is inverter and battery combo & how it works.
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Inverter: An inverter is a device that 'inverts' power from DC (Direct Current), such as that stored in a battery, into AC (Alternating Current) used by the stuff in your house.
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Battery: The battery keeps charge for the inverter to use as long as the grid goes off. Batteries separate them by their type, offspring, and longevity.
Combined with the inverter, the battery supplies uninterrupted power for you to operate lights, fans and refrigerators, as well as other appliances, during outages.
Types of Inverters
There are various categories of inverters, which are designed for different usage:
1. Square Wave Inverters:
Basic and affordable.
It is only applicable to small simple appliances, such as fans and lights.
Not for use with sensitive electronic devices (TVs, refrigerators, computers, or other home electronics)
2. Modified Sine Wave Inverters:
Better than square wave inverters.
Can power your devices, but some sensitive apparatus may make you some irritated.
3. Pure Sine Wave Inverters:
The clean power like utility provided.
Perfect for sensitive equipment like air conditioners, microwaves, chargers, and computers.
Pricier but super-reliable and efficient.
Tip: A pure sine wave inverter is generally the most suitable for modern homes with lots of electronic equipment.
Types of Batteries
The selection of the battery is as important as the inverter selection. Batteries vary by composition, capacity, and maintenance need.
1. Lead-Acid Batteries:
Affordable and widely available.
Require regular maintenance such as water topping.
Best for houses with higher electricity requirement.
2. Sealed Maintenance-Free (SMF) Batteries:
Do not require water topping.
Easier and cleaner than traditional lead-acid batteries.
A little more expensive but less maintenance.
3. Lithium-Ion Batteries:
High performance, longer use time and small installation space.
Are able to cycle more often than lead-acid batteries.
Pricier but great for high energy-drawing homes and thanks to potential investment returns later, they can save you money in the long run.
Tip: For those living off-grid with frequent power cuts, if you’re after the best running times and battery life span, use lithium-ion batteries with a pure sine wave inverter.
Important Points to Consider Before Selecting an Inverter & Battery Combo
1. Power Requirement
Determine the total power consumption of all of the appliances that you would like to power before an outage. Calculate the total wattage of your lights, fans, and refrigerators and any other necessary devices. Remember to select an inverter that can take at least 20–30% more than this sum total load for efficient use and to avoid over loading.
2. Battery Capacity
The battery capacity is expressed in Ampere-hours (Ah). A bigger Ah rating also tends to mean a greater amount of power storage in a battery, increasing the length of time it can provide backup power. Think about how long you would like your appliances to be able to run during a power failure and choose your battery size accordingly.
Example: A 150Ah battery can power a 500W load for 3-4 hours (depending on the percentage of the inverter efficiency).
3. Backup Duration
Back up time is determined by battery capacity and inverter efficiency. If you live in an area prone to long power outages, opt for a larger battery. For brief outages, smaller batteries may provide enough power. If you need more backup, consider a set of batteries.
4. Inverter Efficiency
Efficient inverters lose less power in the conversion process. Today’s pure sine wave inverters are much more efficient (90-95%) and energy waste is minimal. Good inverters save electricity and extend the battery life.
5. Battery Life and Warranty
Look up the battery’s estimated life expectancy. Lead-acid batteries typically have a life span of 3–5 years, SMF batteries of 4–6 years, and the lithium-ion batteries of 10–15 years. A good warranty is equally important; most of the good brands provide 2–5 years warranty on inverters and batteries.
6. Space and Installation
There should be sufficient space for the inverters and batteries. While lead-acid batteries are bulky and unwieldy, lithium-ion batteries are small and lightweight. Vent it properly to help it the from getting too hot make it easy to get to for servicing. For safe, hassle-free installation, just have a professional do it.
7. Maintenance Requirements
Think about the up-keep of the inverter and battery. Lead-acid batteries need water topping at intervals but SMF and lithium-ion are maintenance-free. Opting for a low-maintenance style will help you save time and bother.
8. Price and Budget
The cost of inverter and battery combos depends primarily on the type, capacity and brand. Cheaper and inferior inverters and often will not last many years and also increase the chance of fire when the time comes! Sometimes it tempting to think you'll take a risk on a cheap inverter and battery, instead it's better to look forward to a long term of reliable, safe and efficient usage with a top quality inverter and battery.
9. Safety Features
Safety is paramount. Search for inverters that come with functions of overload protection, short-circuit protection, low-voltage cutoff, and thermal protection. Likewise, batteries need to have safety valves and the right casing for ensuring that they don't leak or blow up.
Final Thoughts
To select the best inverter battery for home that suits your requirements, you need to think about the duration of backup, electricity consumption, efficiency and price. Although, it may not be the cheapest available DIY sine wave inverter option out there, but they offer a more sustainable and long term power back solution that really reduce your power consumption needs (unlike the highly corrupt sine wave inverters made with lead batteries).
Through knowing the different inverters and batteries, determining your power needs, and maintenance routines, you can have electricity despite prolonged blackouts, Take care of the appliances, and have peace of mind.
Spend smart! Investing in quality products is never more important than when it comes to products you use every day in your home, work, and vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I wire two batteries to one inverter?
You can still go from 6V to 12V or the other way, evaluating how many batteries in series or in parallel you need to achieve desired voltage or backup time. But it’s important to follow manufacturer instructions and seek professional advice so you don’t overload or hurt the inverter.
Q2. How can I know the correct size of inverter for my home?
Determine the total wattage of your most important appliances that you would like to power during an outage. Then select an inverter with slightly higher capacity – 20% to 30% extra – to bear with surges and provide proper operational comfort.
Q3. Is there any inverter that can run on a lithium ion battery?
Not all inverters can be used with lithium-ion storage. Refer to the inverter specifications or consult the manufacturer to confirm suitability and safety.
Q4. How frequently should I maintain my inverter and battery?
Inspected annually by a qualified professional is recommended. Frequent inspections keep small problems from turning into huge disasters, and make sure the backup system is running smoothly when it kicks in during power outages.
Q5. Can you use an inverter with sensitive electronics?
Yes, but it would be better to use a pure sine wave inverter for your sensitive appliances such as computers, air conditioners, and LED TVs. Sine wave inverters Modified sine wave inverters can make noise and have small issue on these appliances.