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The inverter and charge controllers are vital components in an off grid solar system, each with specific roles to play. So should you connect an inverter to a charge controller? What will happen if you do? This guide will explain what you need to know.
Charge controllers should be connected to the battery, not the inverter, and the inverter needs to be plugged into the battery terminal after the charge controller, battery and solar panels are already wired together.
How to Connect a Charge Controller and Inverter to a Solar Panel
Connecting the inverter to the charge controller could result in irreparable damage to both, so make sure to wire each solar system in the proper sequence. Make sure the charge controller and inverter size are a match. A 10A charge controller for instance, might be too small for most inverters.
- Connect the charge controller to the battery. Do this before you connect the solar panels.
- Connect the male solar panel MC4 connector into the adapter kit female connector. Repeat this with the female solar panel MC4 connector, but connect it with the male connector adapter.
- Link the charge controller negative terminal to the negative solar panel line. Repeat with the positive charge controller terminal and the positive solar panel line.
- Connect the negative inverter port to the negative battery terminal. Repeat this with the positive inverter port and the positive battery terminal.
Make sure the inverter and charge controller size is appropriate for the battery. If you have the Weize Solar Panel Kit the exact sizes will be specified.
The steps above are applicable to virtually all solar panel systems that use these components. However you should still refer to the manual for specific instructions that may pertain to your system.
Difference between a Charge Controller and Inverter
If you want to get the most out of your solar system, understanding the differences and functions of inverters and charge controllers are a must.
- Solar panels produce DC power, and an inverter transforms this DC power into AC power that household appliances and tools can use.
- An inverter charger does the same thing but it can also convert DC into AC power to recharge batteries.
- A hybrid inverter allows grid power, generators and other types of AC power sources to recharge batteries.
A hybrid inverter like the PowMr 48V 3000 can be used in a grid tied or off the grid solar system. There are two basic types, pure sine and modified sine wave. Pure sine generates cleaner power but costs more.
A charge controller regulates the power going into the battery. Its task is to prevent overheating, overcharging and overloading. Charge controllers also charge the battery using the power produced by the PV modules.
There are two types of charge controllers, PWM and MPPT. MPPT controllers do a more effective job in optimizing solar power and provides more configuration options. MPPT controllers are more expensive though, and PWM remain the most widely used.
Why inverters Must Never be Connected to Charge Controllers
Inverters and charge controllers perform very specific functions in a PV system. They are designed to work together along with batteries and solar panels to produce power.
As explained above, inverters – including 1200 watt systems – are devices used to make solar power usable for common household appliances and any device that runs on AC power. Some of them can function as a charger too, though not all inverters have that feature.
A charge controller is concerned with the power going into the battery. Specifically the controller will ensure the battery is ready to supply the inverter with power. Without a charge controller, there are no safeguards to protect the battery from being overcharged.
An overcharged / overloaded battery is going to cause all kinds of problems for the solar system and any loads connected to it. Problems can also occur if the inverter and charge controller are not connected properly, hence the need to follow the installation and wiring directions to the letter.
Can I Use a Charge Controller without an Inverter?
Almost all solar power system setups with storage require a charge controller and inverter. It is possible to use a charge controller without an inverter, but the solar system will only be able to run DC powered devices.
To recap, a solar panel produces energy and the extra power is stored in a battery bank. The charge controller ensures the battery is properly charged.
When there is enough power in the battery to run appliances, the inverter converts the stored energy – which is DC – into AC so these appliances can run.
Without an inverter, no AC powered appliance or device can run. You can still connect devices that run on DC power though.
For most solar power system setups this is impractical. The whole purpose of going solar is to run household appliances on renewable energy and no longer depend on the grid.
So while it is technically possible to use a charge controller without an inverter, there are few instances where you should.
Can I Use an Inverter without a Charge Controller?
Yes, there are many inverters that do not require a charge controller. Solar powered homes connected to the grid do not require batteries and therefore do not need charge controllers.
In a system that does not use battery storage – such as a grid tied home – an inverter charger will direct the solar power to your house and use the energy.
Any solar power generated that does not get used reverts back to the grid where you can access it at any time. This is how most solar powered homes in the US are set up so there is no need for batteries or charge controllers.
There are many reasons why many prefer this setup:
- You have access to the electrical grid in case of insufficient solar power.
- It eliminates the need to buy batteries, which can be expensive.
- Installation is cheaper.
- Costs less than an off grid setup.
The one disadvantage with a grid tied solar system is you will not be able to use it during a power outage. When the grid power goes out, all connected PV systems are shut down to prevent solar power electrocution risk for utility workers.
If you want to have solar power during a blackout, a battery bank has to be installed. And if you are going to use batteries, a charge controller will be necessary.
Can a Solar Panel Work without an Inverter?
Yes, solar panels will run fine without an inverter. If you are only going to run DC powered devices on solar, there is no reason to use an inverter.
Any device that runs on batteries is DC powered and can be connected directly to solar power without using an inverter. You can connect a DC load directly to solar panels as there is no need to convert to AC.
Digital cameras, drones, TV remote, cell phones, laptops, wall clocks and electric vehicles are some examples. Flat screen TVs use DC power though this is converted into AC if connected to an AC power source.
Can a Solar Panel Work without a Charge Controller?
A solar panel can operate without a charge controller or batteries. As explained earlier, a grid tied PV system does not need battery storage because excess solar power goes into the grid.
We did point out the disadvantage of this setup though, the lack of solar power during a power outage. For an off grid solar system, a charge controller and batteries are essential.
You can run an off the grid PV system without a charge controller or batteries. But power will only be available as long as there is sunlight. Once the sun goes down the panels can no longer supply any power.
Unless you have a generator your system will be powerless. If you have a battery bank, you can charge it during the day so there is power available at night. With a charge controller you are also assured only the safe amount of power is going into the system.
Conclusion
Knowing how to set up a basic solar system is essential for anyone who wants to use renewable energy. Even if you prefer a professional installer do it, knowing the proper way to configure inverters and charge controllers can help if you need to troubleshoot.
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FAQs
Can I connect charge controller to inverter? ›
Charge controllers need a battery reference to control panel input. You should not connect any charge controller directly to the inverter, and you must connect a battery to your charge controller first. After that, you need to connect the inverter to the battery.
Can I connect the inverter to load in solar charge controller? ›Do NOT plug a power inverter directly to a charge controller. Charge controllers need a battery for reference to control the solar panel's input. First, you will need to connect a battery to your charge controller and then connect a power inverter to your battery.
Can I connect an inverter directly to a solar panel? ›Yes, solar panels can be directly connected to the inverter instead of the charge controller. A proper and good quality solar power inverter is an essential part of your photovoltaic arrays. It's an important bridge of solar panel connection to the battery and to the grid.
Can I use a charge controller with an hybrid inverter? ›Hybrid inverters (or any inverters for that matter) are not required in power systems designed with solar panels, battery storage (optional) and DC loads only. In these situations, we suggest using a solar charge controller. Learn more about Phocos, PWM or MPPT charge controllers.
What should you not plug into an inverter? ›Certain rechargers for small nickel-cadmium batteries can be damaged if plugged into an inverter. In particular, two types of appliances are susceptible to damage: -Small, battery-operated appliances such as flashlights, cordless razors and toothbrushes that can be plugged directly into an AC receptacle to recharge.
Which charging mode is best for inverter? ›W-UPS mode (wide ups mode) or wide voltage mode (100 to 300v) is always safe and gives better battery life. If you don't use any desktop PC with your inverter, always keep your inverter in W-UPS mode (100to300V) to get better battery backup during power cuts.
How many watts can a solar charge controller handle? ›The 10-amp digital solar charge controller has a maximum input of 150 Watts from a solar array. The 10-amp digital solar charge controller is designed for a 12-volt system only. 12-volt nominal output solar panels should be connected in parallel to keep the voltage at 12 volts.
Can I use normal inverter with solar battery? ›Yes solar battery also used for normal Inverter application. But make sure the required charging current of battery shall adequate for other application use.
Do I need a solar charge controller if I have an inverter? ›On the other hand, inverter/chargers are not equipped to directly charge batteries from the DC current provided by a PV array. A charge controller is needed to appropriately match the PV voltage to the battery and regulate charging.
Can I connect an inverter directly to a battery? ›The small units also come with cables that can be clamped directly to a battery. If you want an inverter that will plug into your cigarette lighter, you must choose one that is 450 watts or less. Larger inverters (500 watts and over) must be hard-wired directly to a battery.
How much solar do I need for a 2000 watt inverter? ›
In this case, 2000 watts multiplied by 8 hours equals 16,000. So that means you'll need at least 16 energy-efficient solar panels.
Do I need a charge controller if I have a hybrid inverter? ›Do they require a charge controller? Hybrid inverters are very powerful and can operate independently without a charge controller. They can convert any power they receive from the solar panels into AC power to power appliances. In addition to being utilized as a backup, hybrid inverters can also store energy.
What is the charging voltage of inverter? ›But most home inverters are designed to charge at 13.8 V.
Is it OK to charge car battery with inverter? ›You can charge a car battery with an Inverter. Most home Inverters are rated for 12 Volt batteries and have a charging circuit to recharge batteries at 13–14 Volts. Same is the case with Car batteries, they are rated at 12 Volts and recharged with Car Alternators providing 13–14 Volts.
Will an inverter drain my battery? ›Inverters will draw power from your batteries when not in use, and the unit is turned on. This can vary from around . 02 amps right up to 2amps depending on the unit and design of their standby systems.
Do I need a fuse between battery and inverter? ›If a short develops in your AC/DC inverter for instance, a fuse between it and the battery will prevent a possible explosion of the battery and it will cut the circuit fast enough to prevent the wires from catching fire or getting dangerously hot.
Do inverters harm batteries? ›In fact, all electronic devices can do tiny harm to your equipment. But if you use the power inverter in a improper way, the impact will be increased and is possible to run down your battery when the effect reaches to a certain point where the car battery can't bear.
Does inverter stop charging when battery is fully charged? ›So your inverter senses when the battery is fully charged and it stops once it gets to 100%. The same applies to the solar charge controller. The controller will automatically detect when the battery is fully charged and it will cut off charging.
What happens when inverter is fully charged? ›Overcharging of inverter batteries can significantly reduce their life span. It causes overheating of battery plates and corrodes away the terminals. So, turn off the inverter when the battery is fully charged and turn it back on only when there is a power cut.
How many hours does it take to charge an inverter? ›To conduct a maintenance check on inverter battery for home, it needs to be fully charged. For the same, it is necessary to ensure that the battery has been charged for 10-15 hours with a suitable inverter or an external charger before undertaking a battery health check regime.
What is the load output on a solar charge controller? ›
The charge controller regulates this 16 to 20 volts output of the panel down to what the battery needs at the time. This voltage will vary from about 10.5 to 14.6, depending on the state of charge of the battery, the type of battery, in what mode the controller is in, and temperature.
What happens if you overload a solar charge controller? ›Charge controllers also offer some other important functions: Overload protection: If the current flowing into your batteries is much higher than what the circuit can deal with, your system may overload. This can lead to overheating and cause fires.
What happens if your solar charge controller is too big? ›There is a practical limit though, if the solar array is too large then the power is just wasted, since the charge controller is always limiting the output. A typical recommendation is to limit the solar array to 110%-125% of the maximum controller rating.
Can a solar controller overcharge a battery? ›The job of the solar charge controller is to regulate the power going from the solar panels to the batteries. Overcharging batteries will at the least significantly reduce battery life and at worst damage the batteries to the point that they are unusable.
What can damage a solar inverter? ›- Overheating. Electrical components are highly sensitive to temperatures. ...
- Grid Fault. High or low voltage due to a grid fault could prevent the inverter from working. ...
- Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) ...
- Faulty Installation.
Solar Inverter also operates related to the regular inverter, but it has an extra feature to charge the battery using solar panels, and it runs in hybrid mode, it means it charges the battery using electricity as well as the solar panel.
Can I run a 2000 watt inverter on one battery? ›Your 2000-watt inverter can run through a 200 amp-hour battery in an hour when running at full power. However, 2000 watts is a lot of power to maintain for an hour straight. You'll need sufficient batteries to maintain your power supply while your solar panels aren't providing any power.
Can I use solar charge controller to inverter without battery? ›Yes, if you are connected to an electrical grid, you can use solar panels and inverters without battery storage. However, it's important to note that grid-tied solar systems are usually shutoff during power outages to prevent the backflow of electricity from harming utility workers.
Can I connect charge controller to inverter without battery? ›In short NO. The charge controller requires batteries as a load for voltage control.
How do I know if my battery is compatible with an inverter? ›- Step 1: Identify Your Power Requirements. Do not get baffled by the word 'Identify'. ...
- Step 2: Check the VA Rating of the Inverter. ...
- VA = Power Requirement/Power Factor. ...
- Step 3: Get an Appropriate Battery for the Inverter.
Does inverter hurt car battery? ›
It will do harm to car battery by using a power inverter. But if you use it in a proper way, the impact is too tiny that won't cause any danger to you and your devices. So what you should concern is how to find out a correct way to use car power inverter.
Do you need a fuse between solar controller and battery? ›In most cases, a solar system fuse is required between a solar panel and its charge controller because fuses and circuit breakers protect the wiring from overheating. This also avoids any appliances from catching fire or being damaged in the event of a short circuit.
How do you hook up an inverter to a battery? ›To connect the battery to the inverter, you just need to connect the terminals of the inverter with the respective terminals of the battery, i.e., positive to positive and negative to negative. As soon as you connect both the terminals, you will see that the inverter is getting power.
How can I charge my inverter battery without electricity? ›The battery will need to be recharged as the power is drawn out of it by the inverter. The battery can be recharged by running the automobile motor, or a gas generator, solar panels, or wind. Or you can use a battery charger plugged into an AC outlet to recharge the battery.
How do you run an inverter during a power outage? ›A very simple way to use an inverter for emergency power (such as during a power outage), is to use a car battery (with the vehicle running), and an extension cord running into the house, where you can then plug in electrical appliances.
How long will a 2000 watt inverter run off of a 12 volt battery? ›If you max out the inverter at 2000 watts, you are pulling 2000 watts /12 volts = 166.6 DC amps per hour. If you use a 200-amp 12-volt battery, you would divide the 200-amp battery / 166.6 amps = 1.2 hours of run time.
How many batteries do I need to run a 2000 watt inverter? ›Helpful Expert Reply: Typically two batteries are needed for a 2,000 watt inverter like the part # 34278156 that you referenced.