Using standalone inverters to create off-grid power solutions

What is an standalone inverter?

As the name suggests, an standalone inverter is an inverter that is standalone of the public power grid and does not rely on the public power grid to work, also known as an off-grid inverter. It cannot be connected to the power grid, it needs to be connected to a battery to work. It converts the direct current (DC) of the battery into the alternating current (AC) required by the appliance.

Function of standalone inverter

The main function of standalone inverter is to convert the 12V, 24V, 48V DC power in the battery into the AC power used in your country and region (AC voltage is different in different countries) by connecting with the battery, so as to provide stable AC power for various electrical appliances in off-grid environment. In off-grid life, people often use standalone inverters, solar panels and batteries to build their own off-grid solar energy system. Whether you are doing home backup, outdoor camping, or emergency rescue, standalone inverters can play an important role in power guarantee.

Common standalone inverters

1. Square wave inverter: This type of inverter has a simple structure, low design and manufacturing cost, and the output waveform is a square wave current with more harmonics. The square wave current will cause electromagnetic interference to some sensitive electronic equipment, resulting in damage to the equipment. Square wave inverters are generally used for electrical appliances with low current quality, such as lighting light bulbs and other small tools.
2. Modified sine wave inverter: Modified sine wave inverter is a current converter between square wave inverter and pure sine wave inverter. The waveform output by the modified sine wave inverter is closer to the sine wave than the square wave, so it is compatible with more household appliances and electronic devices. But it is still not compatible with all electrical appliances, and the modified wave will still cause slight interference to some sensitive equipment, which is a potential risk of use. However, if your budget is limited, then the modified wave is the most economical choice; you just need to be careful not to use it for sensitive equipment.
3. Pure sine wave inverter: Pure sine wave inverter is a high-frequency inverter. It can output AC power with the same waveform as the mains power. This stable, high-quality current can power all electronic devices, and you don’t need to worry about your appliances being interfered with or damaged during operation. Pure sine wave inverters are suitable for devices that require high power quality, such as computers, audio systems, medical equipment, refrigerators, high-pressure cleaners, etc. The price of pure sine wave inverters is more expensive than square wave and modified wave inverters.
4. Off-grid hybrid inverter: Off-grid hybrid inverter is a powerful device that can handle multiple power inputs and perform intelligent management. You can connect batteries, solar panels, and mains power to its input at the same time. It integrates the functions of solar controllers and inverters, and can complete intelligent switching between various power sources at any time. Except for the inability to transmit power to the grid, it is almost an all-round power manager.

Advantages and disadvantages of standalone inverters

After years of development, the technology of standalone inverters has become very powerful.

Advantages:

1. Standalone inverters are compact and durable in design, light in weight, and can be carried by vehicles, which is more convenient.
2. Standalone inverters usually integrate multiple protection functions including: short circuit protection, reverse connection protection, overvoltage and undervoltage protection, AC overload protection and overheating protection. These safety protections can make you safer when using the inverter.
3. The conversion efficiency of standalone inverters is between 80%-90%, which greatly reduces the loss of energy during the conversion process.
4. Standalone inverters usually come with LCD/LED display panels, so you can monitor the system’s operating status in real time.
5. Some inverters also support remote control and management, which can be achieved through Bluetooth wireless modules or wired remote control templates.

Disadvantages:

1. High initial purchase cost: In addition to purchasing an inverter, you also need to purchase accessories such as batteries (essential), solar panels (optional) and solar charge controllers.
2. High maintenance costs: Due to the limited life of batteries, you may need to replace batteries regularly to ensure the effective operation of the system.
3. Environmental impact: standalone inverters are more sensitive to environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, dust, etc., which will affect the working state of the inverter.

The difference between standalone inverters and on-grid inverters

• Standalone inverters (off-grid inverters) and grid-connected inverters are the two main inverters commonly seen in people’s daily lives. The two are different in design, function and application scenarios.
• Standalone inverters: Mainly used in scenarios where there is no access to the mains or frequent power outages. Such as remote mountain areas, field workstations, jungle cabins, or field trips or sea voyages. standalone inverters need to be used with batteries.
• Grid-connected inverters: Grid-connected inverters are used to transmit electricity generated by renewable energy sources such as solar power systems and wind power systems to the public power grid to obtain benefits. Grid-connected inverter systems generally do not have the ability to store electricity, so when the public power grid is out of power, your grid-connected system will also stop working, which will put you in a power outage. Therefore, grid-connected inverters are generally used in schools, hospitals, government buildings and other buildings with abundant electricity to use solar power to reduce the burden on the public power grid.

How to choose a standalone inverter that suits you?

When choosing a standalone inverter, you need to consider the following aspects:

• Make a list of equipment: You need to sort out and list all the equipment you need to power with an inverter, such as refrigerators, TVs, computers, lighting, etc.
• Calculate equipment power consumption: The rated power is marked on the nameplate of each device you own, which is the power consumed by the device when it is working normally. You need to load them together. For example, a refrigerator is 800W, a microwave oven is 1200W, and a computer is 500W, so their total power consumption is 2500W.
• Rated power of inverter: In order to cope with the power peak when some equipment starts, it is recommended to choose an inverter with a power of more than 20% greater than the total load power. For example, if the total power consumption you calculated is 2500W, then you need to buy an inverter with a rated power of at least 3000W.
• Inverter voltage: The input voltage of the inverter must be the same as the battery voltage.
• Output waveform: Depending on the equipment you use, if it is an inductive load (with a motor inside), which is sensitive to current quality, then JCPOWER strongly recommends that you use a pure sine wave inverter. If you only use the off-grid system for emergency lighting, then a modified sine wave inverter is an economical choice.
• Protection function: It is recommended that you choose an inverter with built-in protection function.
• Other functions: You can choose a stand-alone inverter with charging function and remote control function according to your actual needs.
• Brand and after-sales: The quality of inverters selected from well-known brands is more guaranteed, and the after-sales service is also more complete. Before purchasing, you need to understand the product’s warranty period, maintenance methods and other after-sales policies.

Where can I go to customize the inverter?

If you have special customization requirements for the inverter, you can contact us. JCPOWER, as an inverter manufacturer, has the full customization capability of the inverter.

Conclusion

Standalone inverter (off-grid inverter) is an essential key equipment for building an off-grid power system. You need to purchase an standalone inverter suitable for you according to your purpose and the type of load you use, and create your own off-grid life.

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