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Table of Contents of Inverter FAQ Where does the DC in DC to AC Power Inverter come from? What size of inverter do I need? How long can I operate my power inverters? Can I use my computer with a power inverter? Is it possible to run an air conditioner on power inverters? Should I leave my inverter ON or OFF when shore power is available? What is automatic AC transfer switching on Xantrex Inverter/Chargers? An inverter is a device that turns DC voltage into AC voltage (Household Electricity). Converting DC to AC will allow you to run lots of household appliances Televisions Radios Computers Lights And many more… Where does the DC in DC to AC Power Inverter come from? DC or Direct Current electricity is found in most batteries and is also used to operate most Cars. A 12V cigarette lighter socket is a perfect place to run some of the smaller inverters from. Larger inverters must be connected directly to the battery. Deep cycle Marine batteries seem to be the best choice if you plan on using a just a battery to power your inverter. It is also useful to run the inverter from your car battery, while allowing the car to continually charge it. (Car Must Be Running to Charge Battery) What size of inverter do I need? Choosing the right size of inverter depends on the power requirements of the appliances you expect to operate at any given time. You should consider both the continuous and surge power rating of your appliance. The continuous rating must be high enough to handle all the loads that may run at the same time. The inverter must also be capable of handling the starting surge of all loads that may start at the same time. Loads typically take many times their continuous rating to start. How long can I operate my power inverters? The length of time you can operate an inverter depends on the amp-hour capacity of your battery bank. This can be calculated by using the "Inverter Load Work Sheet" on the following page. Can I use my computer with a power inverter? Both sine-wave and modified sine-wave inverter output will operate a computer. However, some monitors and laser printers can only be powered by sine wave output. Is it possible to run an air conditioner on power inverters? Yes, it is possible to operate a small air conditioner in the 5000-9000 BTU range using a higher-powered inverter and battery bank with the right capacity for power. Select an inverter and battery combination that takes into account the startup surge required by the air conditioner. Should I leave my inverter ON or OFF when shorepower is available? When shorepower is available, you may leave your inverter ON or OFF. There are advantages and disadvantages to both methods. If the inverter is left ON, you have immediate backup AC power if you lose shorepower. You may not be aware shorepower is lost until your batteries are fully discharged. If you choose to leave your inverter OFF you have the advantage of knowing when you have lost shorepower. This, however, is at the expense of losing automatic backup power capabilities. What is automatic AC transfer switching on Xantrex Inverter/Chargers? All Xantrex Inverter/Chargers incorporate an automatic transfer switch. This switch senses when outside AC Power is present and transfers the load from the inverter to the source of incoming power (shore or generator). The unit also automatically switches from invert mode to charge mode. What type of batteries should I use in my Inverter/Charger installation? Xantrex recommend using only high-quality deep cycle batteries in Wet, Gel or AGM
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