inverter chargers & charge controllers

System

Another newb question but I'm trying to put a system together from scratch.

I understand the need for a charge controller but I am perplexed as to the purpose of the charger unit in an inverter charger. Is this redundancy?

Martin

BB.

Re: inverter chargers & charge controllers

You may end up with multiple charge controllers in a system...

1. Solar Panel Charge Controller
2. AC Backup Generator Charge Controller
3. Wind Turbine Charge Controller
4. Water Turbine Charge Controller
5. Utility Mains AC Battery Charger (if Grid Tied).

So--if your Inverter also has alternate inputs (AC Mains and/or Generator AC Input)--it will recharge your battery bank from those alternative AC Input sources.

Think of a UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply)--The AC Power (when available) charges the battery bank. When AC power fails, then the inverter switches over to DC power and "turns on" to supply off-grid AC power.

The other power sources (solar, etc.) also need their own charge controllers that, in parallel, will recharge the battery bank.

You can put charge controllers in parallel--without too many problems... The big issue is if one is programmed for a higher voltage (or running a equalize stage)--it will "take over" the battery load from the other chargers.

-Bill

System2

Re: inverter chargers & charge controllers

Thanks Bill, I hadn't thought of other charging mechanisms.

Food for thought.