Power inverters
convert 12V DC power from your
renewable energy source into 240V AC power that
is needed for running appliances, such as hair dryers,
televisions and more.
Power inverters are an ideal source of portable
mains power. Being compact and portable,
power inverters can be used in cars, caravans, boats,
4WDs and trucks. Using a power inverter for household
appliances is a much cheaper option than purchasing
specialized 12V appliances for
those times when mains power is not available. Compared
to generators, power inverters are a greener and
cheaper long term option.
Inverters are grouped in two major categories: those
designed to convert solar energy
directly into AC without the use of storage batteries
(grid interactive or grid tie inverter)
and those designed to provide power from batteries,
with the batteries being charged by any number of
sources (stand-alone or off-grid inverters).
Among the stand-alone inverters,
there are modified sine wave/square wave
inverters and pure sine wave inverters. Modified
sine wave inverters are cheaper than pure
sine wave inverters and do not represent
true AC power that you would normally
acquire from the utility power delivered to your
home. Pure sine wave inverters
produce the same grade of power that you would normally
receive from the utility grid in your home. Both
styles of inverters can operate all sorts of AC
equipment, however items such as microwave ovens,
bread makers or any sensitive equipment that is
controlled by a digital clock will only run of a
true sine wave inverter.
Inverter chargers combine an inverter
and a battery charger in one complete unit, providing
reliable alternate AC power during utility power
problems, such as blackouts, brownouts, overvoltages
and surges. When utility power is present, inverter
chargers automatically pass through power to your
equipment while simultaneously recharging your connected
batteries.
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