Many appliances work only with AC voltage, which isn’t really a problem when you have a wall socket around, right?
But in a power outage or any kind of emergency, you’re pretty much stuck with batteries. And believe me, you don’t want to be left with only 12V when the power goes out.
This is where pure sine wave inverters come in. These devices convert low voltage DC to proper 110V or 120V AC electricity that home appliances can use.
Using my knowledge as an electrical engineer and experience as a prepper, I made a list of the best pure sine wave inverters you can get this season.
Let me help you pick an inverter for your RV, cabin, or emergency kit.
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A pure sine wave inverter is a device that converts direct current (DC) such as what’s produced by a solar system or RV batteries, to usable alternating current (AC) that most appliances use.
These “pure sine waves” ensure smooth and steady voltage, just like in the power grid.
It means you can run your appliances wherever you are. Just plug them in, as you would back at home.
This makes a pure sine wave inverter ideal for people who live off-grid or travel around in their RV.
A pure sine wave inverter converts DC to AC in three steps:
Using integrated electronics, the inverter generates oscillating direct current pulses that simulate positive and negative polarity peaks. But these pulses are too weak, so they need to be amplified.
This stage amplifies the 12V or 24V pulses to high-current levels needed to power appliances.
Although already in AC form, the output voltage is still low to run any appliance.
This is where a transformer comes into action.
In the last stage of DC/AC conversion, a magnetic transformer is used to kick up the voltage to 110V or 120V, which your appliances use.
In their raw form, these AC voltage sine waves are not true sine waves, but rather jagged and boxy.
So pure wave sine inverters use additional capacitors and filters to make the alternating current “smoother.”
You need a pure sine wave inverter if you plan to install solar panels on your roof or RV. Most appliances in your home use AC power, so you need it to convert the DC power that solar panels produce to AC power. It also brings up the voltage to the grid level.
A pure sine wave inverter also saves you money, as it’s much more efficient than the older, jagged wave inverters.
The smoothly-changing phase also minimizes the risk of damage to your sensitive electronics.
The first thing to consider is the power rating. Check the manuals or spec stickers on the back of your appliances to see how much energy you exactly need.
An inverter of up to 1000W is enough for laptops and phone chargers, gaming consoles, and smaller electronics, while at 3000W you can even plug in the air conditioner or electric chainsaw.
The more the wattage, the more power can the unit convert.
This one is simple — you need an inverter that’s compatible with all devices you plan to use. Devices sold in the US and neighboring countries need a standard output voltage of 110V or 120V.
If you want a powerful pure sine inverter, make sure to choose one that comes with plenty of output ports so you can run or charge multiple appliances at the same time. Apart from having 3 AC outlets, some inverters on the market even have several USB ports.
If you plan to power more demanding appliances, look for an inverter that offers AC terminals so you can hardwire a high-power appliance directly to the inverter mains. It's much safer that way.
A top-shelf inverter will come with safety features that protect your unit from overheating, over-voltage, short-circuiting, and more.
An LCD display is not a must-have, but it’s nice to be able to read the current energy usage at all times.
A solid warranty is a clear message that you’re buying a reliable and quality product from a reputable company that will replace or repair your unit if any issue pops up.
Some manufacturers offer separate warranties for manufacturing and performance.
You need an inverter powerful enough to run the essential appliances, but also to match the energy rating of your solar system.
For example, if you’re going for a 3,000-watt solar system, you should purchase a 3,000-watt inverter.
This wattage, in return, depends on the number and type of appliances you want to run. You can find the power information for most devices on the spec sticker on the backside of the product.
A good rule of thumb is to always choose an inverter with 20% to 50% more than the total power that you need, and with at least twice the power of the largest device you plan to run.
With a pure sine wave inverter, you can safely run and charge:
Sensitive electronics
Smart devices like smartphones, drones, etc.
Medical equipment like CPAP machines
Plasma, LCD, and LED TVs
Devices with electronic timers or digital clocks
Appliances with AC motors like fridges and microwaves
Variable speed tools
Fluorescent lights
Pure sine wave inverters produce stable power with low harmonic distortion you can safely use with medical equipment. Such clean power output buys you peace of mind knowing that your expensive devices are safe from power disruptions.
As the voltage rises and falls, pure sine waves change their phase angle and polarity smoothly, with no abrupt drops. This reduces the annoying electrical noise coming from fluorescent lights, TVs, stereos, audio amplifiers, answering machines, fans, etc.
Pure sine waves have the same properties as the grid voltage. This makes them perfect for appliances with AC motors, allowing them to use power more effectively. With a pure sine wave inverter, your microwaves, washers, dryers, and refrigerators will operate smoothly, more quietly, and much cooler.
A pure sine wave inverter provides smooth output voltage, without choppy drops and surges. This allows your sensitive electronics to operate without glitches, crashes, or strange interruptions. It prevents glitches in computer monitors and weird printouts in laser printers.
With any power conversion, some energy is inevitably lost. However, a pure sine wave inverter is the most efficient way of converting DC electricity stored in your battery bank to AC electricity.
Pure sine wave inverters cost more than modified sine wave inverters because of the sophisticated technology they use to generate cleaner electrical energy.
The modified sine wave inverters will work just as fine with appliances that don’t need a rectifier and that can be powered by any regular DC adapter.
While pure sine wave inverters convert DC energy more efficiently than the other type of inverter, they are also more efficient in depleting your battery bank. The complex circuits plus the transformer means your battery bank charge won’t last as long.
A good rule of thumb is to always choose an inverter with 20% to 50% more than the total power that you need.
With the voltage transformer onboard, your pure sine wave inverter will weigh more than most modified sine wave inverters, watt-for-watt. Transformers use heavy magnetic cores, and there’s no way around it.
The standalone inverter is the most common type of power inverter. It basically does just one thing — inverts DC power from your battery into AC power.
The inverter charger, on the other hand, can work as an inverter, transfer relay, and converter/charger — all in one.
Standalone inverters are available in sizes from 75 watts to 5,000 watts, and their price depends on the additional features. You can simply connect it to the battery, or “hardwire” it to use the existing outlets in your cabin, boat, or RV.
Inverter chargers are three-in-one units that automatically “detect” an outside source and go into charging mode. When the internal switch loses the outside power, it automatically returns to inverter power.
Standalone inverters are smaller than inverter chargers, so they’re ideal for camping or in the case of a power outage.
Inverter chargers are much more convenient for RVs or boats in situations when you have the chance to top up your battery from an outside source.
All inverters convert the input DC voltage into sine-wave AC output voltage.
The first inverters, however, didn’t really produce a perfect sine curve, but a rather choppy one called a modified sine wave. These were called modified sine wave inverters.
Their “blocky” AC voltage, however, works fine for simple devices that don’t rely on delicate electronics.
These modified sine wave inverters can be used for older devices such as old tube TVs and motors with brushes.
Pure sine wave inverters are the more advanced of the two, as they produce a more consistent output voltage.
Pure sine wave inverters produce stable power with low harmonic distortion you can safely use with medical equipment.
This makes pure sine wave inverters safe to use with all devices.
If you’re connected to the grid and need an inverter only as a backup supply, you’ll need a pure sine wave inverter, because utilities provide pure sine wave voltage.
On the other hand, if you need to power an off-grid cabin with simple appliances, modified sine wave inverters will work fine and cost you less.
If you need clean sine AC voltage but don’t want to spend a lot, you can convert an old modified sine wave inverter to a pure sine wave operation.
Find a used modified sine wave inverter online for cheap, and this video tutorial can become your next DIY project.
Yes, you need a pure sine wave inverter for medical equipment, AC motors, bright fluorescent lights, and audio systems.
Renogy makes the best pure sine inverters. Their products are well-made and reliable, which has been proven in both our tests and other users’ testimonies.
No, a modified sine wave inverter won’t damage your TV. However, you may experience interference, glitches, or audible noise when powering your TV with it.
The most trusted pure sine wave inverter brands are Renogy, Giandel, and EDECOA. Their products may seem more expensive upfront but are packed with useful functions and safety features.
If you're looking for the best option for your solar or power emergency system, I would definitely go with the Renogy 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter Charger w/ LCD Display.
This little powerhouse has enough peak wattage to start virtually any device in your home, including AC motors.
It uses 12V as the source, so you can use it with a car battery, but also hardwire it to an AC distribution box for a more permanent setup, like in a cabin or boat.
When it detects an outside AC source, this inverter goes into the charger mode and maintains the healthy charge of my battery.
I also appreciate the separate LED indicators for various functions.
This product from Renogy is an essential and reliable piece for every off-grid or grid-tie solar system, so my vote goes to the Renogy 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter Charger w/ LCD Display.
I Recommend
The Renogy 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter Charger w/ LCD Display
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