About Chargers & Inverters
What this collection covers
UPSPLUSBATTERY.CA stocks battery chargers and DC-to-AC power inverters for applications beyond the runtime window a UPS provides — off-grid cabins, RV and marine house banks, mobile workshops, extended-outage backup. Chargers and inverters are complementary to UPS, not substitutes. A UPS handles brief utility events (outages under 30 minutes, brownouts, surges); a battery bank with a quality inverter handles sustained off-grid or extended-outage demands measured in hours or days.
Companion collections for a complete off-grid power system: deep-cycle batteries (energy store) and solar panels (charge source). A charger or solar charge controller keeps the bank full; an inverter converts stored DC to usable 120 V or 230 V AC.
Charger and inverter types
| Type | Function | Input | Output | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-stage charger | Recharges SLA / AGM / gel / lithium banks from AC mains | 120 V / 240 V AC | 12 V / 24 V / 48 V DC | Off-grid cabin, RV shore, marine |
| Pure sine wave inverter | Converts battery DC to utility-quality AC | 12 V / 24 V / 48 V DC | 120 V or 230 V AC, 60 Hz | Off-grid appliances, sensitive electronics |
| Inverter-charger (combi) | Inverter + multi-stage charger; auto transfer | 120 V / 240 V AC or DC | 120 V / 240 V AC + DC charging | RV, marine, off-grid w/ shore power |
| Modified sine wave inverter | Approximated waveform — limited compatibility | 12 V DC | 120 V AC | Resistive only — not motor or sensitive gear |
| MPPT solar charge controller | Regulates panel output to charge bank | Solar PV array | 12 / 24 / 48 V DC regulated | Off-grid solar + battery |
How to choose a charger
Match chemistry
Lead-acid, AGM, gel, and lithium iron phosphate require different charge profiles. A standard lead-acid charger on a lithium bank can overcharge cells; a lithium-only charger can undercharge AGM. Select a charger that explicitly lists chemistry profiles. For sealed AGM in float service, temperature-compensated float matters.
Amperage and bank capacity
Size charger output at 10–20 % of bank Ah. A 200 Ah AGM bank charges well with 20–40 A. Lower extends recharge time and stresses partially-discharged banks; much higher risks overheating. For 400 Ah+, step up to 60 A or 100 A inverter-charger.
How to choose an inverter
Pure sine — not modified
Modified sine inverters cost less but produce stepped approximation. Motor-driven loads (pumps, compressors, HVAC), active-PFC supplies (most modern electronics), and microprocessor-driven equipment will run poorly or fail prematurely. Pure sine is electrically identical to utility power.
Continuous vs peak wattage
Inverter specs list continuous (sustained) and peak / surge (motor-start inrush). 2000 W continuous may handle 4000 W surge for 5–10 seconds. Size to continuous load sum, then verify peak covers the highest single motor inrush — typically 2–3× running watts.
System voltage — 12 V, 24 V, 48 V
Higher voltage = lower current for same wattage = thinner wire, lower losses. 2000 W at 12 V draws ~167 A — needs 2/0 AWG. Same load at 48 V draws 42 A — manageable with 6 AWG. Off-grid and marine above 1000 W continuous benefit from 24 V or 48 V architecture.
Installation, compatibility, warranty
Inverters above 2000 W require direct battery connection via heavy cable + appropriately-rated fuse / breaker at battery terminal — no extension cords. Hard-wired AC output for inverter-chargers should be done by licensed electrician per Canadian Electrical Code. Brand-specific warranties on individual product pages; UPSPLUSBATTERY adds 1-year support coordination.
FAQ
Inverter vs UPS?
UPS is self-contained: battery + charger + inverter, switches to battery within ms — protects sensitive electronics from data loss during brief outages. Standalone inverter draws from a separate bank, no automatic transfer unless paired with a transfer switch. UPS is right for server rooms and critical electronics. Inverter + bank is right for sustained off-grid, RV, extended emergency.
Charger as DC power supply?
No. A charger outputs regulated DC at charging voltage (14.4–14.8 V for 12 V AGM) — not safe for DC loads directly. Charge battery, then power loads via inverter.
Battery type for inverter?
AGM SLA most common for stationary off-grid and RV: no maintenance, spill-proof, wide temperature tolerance, compatible with all multi-stage chargers. LiFePO₄ offers higher usable capacity (80–100 % DOD vs 50 % for AGM), lighter weight, longer cycle life — but requires lithium-compatible charger and BMS. Browse deep-cycle batteries.
Runtime?
Depends on bank Ah, depth-of-discharge limit, and load. 200 Ah AGM at 12 V = 2400 Wh gross; at 50 % DOD, 1200 Wh available. 300 W load runs ~4 hours (1200 ÷ 300, accounting for 5–10 % inverter losses).
Special charger for lithium?
Yes. LiFePO₄ needs constant-current/constant-voltage profile, ~14.4 V per 12 V bank, no float above 13.6 V. Standard lead-acid sustained float at 13.8 V is marginally compatible but degrades cells over time. Modern multi-chemistry chargers offer LiFePO₄ modes.
Wire gauge?
Determined by current and run length. 2000 W at 12 V ≈ 167 A. 1 m run: 2/0 AWG copper minimum. 2 m run: consider 4/0 AWG. Always install a fuse or Class T breaker at the battery terminal — 125 % of inverter max current — within 45 cm of the battery post. Consult inverter manufacturer wiring guide and CEC.
UPS on an inverter during extended outage?
Yes with caveats. A pure sine inverter at stable 120 V / 60 Hz powers line-interactive or online UPS normally — UPS treats inverter output as utility. Modified sine may cause UPS to fault. Ensure inverter continuous wattage exceeds UPS max load + internal charger draw.
Warranty?
Brand-specific manufacturer warranty on chargers and inverters (terms vary). UPSPLUSBATTERY 1-year support coordination on every unit. Coordinated through our Canadian team. Shipped from our Canadian warehouse — see shipping policy for rates and timing. Replies within 1 business day.