Frequently Asked Questions
Our customers have a lot of questions. And we’re here to provide as much information as possible to help you on your way.
Check here for answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
What size of cable should I use with my inverter and battery?
Learning what cable to use for an inverter is a vital step in the process of powering your off-grid system, even if it may not initially seem as important as figuring out the right inverter to use or how much battery power you'll need for your inverters. Finding power inverter cables and power inverter cords [...]
What inverter should I use in my RV?
I need power that doesn’t keep the campground up at night! Does this sound familiar? You can have power and not run the generator by using an AIMS DC to AC power inverter. Most RVs come with a converter. Don’t mistake a converter with an inverter. A converter converts 120 VAC electricity into 12 VDC. [...]
What is an ETL listed inverter?
Our ETL listed models that conform to UL 458 or UL1741 and CSA 22.2 have a few internal components that are different from our non UL models. These components have been recommended by the ETL lab and are required to pass ETL certification equivalent to UL 458 / UL 1741 standards. The ETL listed models [...]
How long can I run my equipment with battery and inverter?
To estimate how long your equipment will run and to help determine the amount of batteries you need, click here To get a total watt estimate for all of the items you plan on powering with your inverter, click here
What equipment can I use with an inverter?
Anything! Ok... almost anything. In general most equipment or devices that you use at home or a commercial job can be used with an inverter but check with your equipment manufacturer. Audio Equipment Some top-of-the-line audio gear is protected by SCRs or Triacs. These devices are installed to guard against power line spikes, surges, and [...]
How do I hook up the inverter to my battery(s)?
You will need cables. Each inverter requires a negative and positive cable. We recommend the maximum length of 15 feet. If your application requires longer than 15 foot cables, we advise increasing the cable size (awg). To find out what size of cable is needed for you inverter, click on the inverter and click on [...]
What is the difference between modified, pure sine wave inverters?
There are three major types of sine inverters - pure sine wave (or "true" sine wave), modified sine wave (actually a modified square wave) and square wave. Each of these types of inverters serves a particular purpose for your electrical needs and should be used according to that purpose. The various types of inverters range [...]
What size of inverter do I need?
An inverter needs to supply two needs - Peak or surge power, and the typical or usual power. Surge is the maximum power that the inverter can supply, usually for only a short time (usually no longer than a second unless specified in the inverter’s specifications). Some appliances, particularly those with electric motors, need a [...]
Can I keep my 1/2 horsepower sump pump running during a tropical storm or hurricane?
You can use the AIMS 3000 watt inverter charger with built in transfer switch to power your sump pump during a power outage. Along with the inverter, you will need a battery bank to power the sump pump when the AC power is unavailable in an outage. The sump pump needs backup power to keep [...]
How do I run my sump pump during a power outage?
You can use a power inverter to power your sump pump during a power outage. Sump pumps vary in size. The most common that our customers call us to power are 1/3 horsepower sump pumps, and 1/2 horsepower sump pumps. The best option we have here at theinverterstore.com would be our inverter/charger with built in [...]