Collection: Inverters

So far, more individuals have switched to solar power systems as it has effectively proven its benefits in reducing energy costs and supplying sufficient electricity for daily use. A complete setup would usually consist of a battery, a set of solar panels, a solar charge controller, and of course our main focus for today - an inverter. 

This device mainly converts direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC), which is the kind of output suitable for powering most appliances. Whether you're getting power from a battery, a solar panel setup, or a generator, you need this to plug in your portable appliances and devices safely. 

These devices are also readily available in your favourite local stores. Some of the most popular names would be the Kings inverter, Victron inverter, and of course our very own VoltX inverter at Outbax. We classify our models here as pure sine wave and hybrid, which also serve as a battery charger.

Want to know more about these handy devices? Keep reading and we’ll walk you through everything you need to know!

What Are The 3 Types Of Inverters?

In terms of type, inverters are classified into 3 major kinds: Sine wave, modified sine wave, and square wave. Here's a little guide about them to help you pick out which one suits you best:

Sine Wave Inverters

This is the most popular and recommended type of inverter-it’s actually what you get from your local utility company, which also means it's compatible with all electronic equipment sold on the market. In fact, there are some motors, chargers, and appliances that will only produce full output with pure sine wave power. The only downside of this is that it's the most expensive type and costs around twice as much as other types.

Modified Sine Wave

Modified sine wave inverters produce decent output but can have issues with efficiency at times. This is a common problem with appliances requiring increased power such as motors, fridges, and pumps. There are more considerations with buying this when it comes to compatibility with appliances. You also have to take into account that it can be noisy and can impact how some of your devices run such as clocks and timers.

Square Sine Wave

This may be the cheapest type, but most of the time not very useful as they can only run simple devices like tools with universal motors. It’s also why you will seldom see square sine wave inverters anymore, given that everything is advancing to fit the constant technology upgrades.

What Size Inverter Do I Need?

The size of inverter you need depends on your power requirements. To determine this, you need to get both the continuous and starting peak load of the appliances you wish to run. For instance, if you want to use two 60-watt lights, a 300-watt computer, and a 10-watt radio, you will need an inverter that can supply a total of 430 watts. 

However, you need to consider the initial surge of power needed to start up certain appliances, particularly those with motors. This is usually found on the label of electronics, so if for example, a freezer requires a starting watts of 1440W and a running/continuous watts of 480W, you would need an inverter with a peak-surge rating of over 1440 watts, like a 2000W inverter. 

To size your solar inverter properly, calculate the total wattage of all the appliances you plan to run simultaneously. You should also consider getting an increased capacity if you have plans of expanding your system in the future and of course, the efficiency of your inverter. A high-quality one should be able to convert more of the DC power from your solar panels or battery bank into AC power for your appliances, reducing energy losses. 

What Makes Outbax Inverters Stand Out?

Let's start with our hybrid inverters. These devices go the extra mile compared to typical on-grid inverters by working with the batteries to store excess power too. Parallel capable with a rapid 4ms transfer speed from on-grid to off-grid mode, it's a real win in overall performance.

Interested? Check out our Deye VoltX 5kW Hybrid Solar Inverter with MPPT function or go straight to our 10kW model for higher output.

Our off-grid Pure Sine Wave Inverters, meanwhile, are known to produce cleaner and more stable power. Boasting impressive conversion efficiency and Bluetooth connectivity, it's perfect for a zero-interruption runtime and easy tracking of your system's status. Best of all, it has built-in over-voltage, over-discharge, overload, and short-circuit protection, giving you extra peace of mind while keeping your essentials powered.

They also come in different sizes to accommodate a variety of power requirements so whether you’re after a 1kW or a 3000 watt inverter, you can get it here!

More From Outbax

Aside from inverters, Outbax is home to premium power equipment. We aim to make grid independence as accessible as possible with a range of affordable, high-quality LiFePO4 batteries, fixed solar panels, and battery boxes.

Need a 100Ah 12V battery? Bringing an inverter generator to your road trip? Whatever you need, you can find it here and at great prices too. 

Visit our website today and start planning your new power setup. You might even catch some of our best deals for extra savings on leading power equipment in the market. What are you waiting for? Add to cart and start shopping now!