Offgrid Solar Inverter Buyer's Guide for Beginners

*Does off-grid solar confuse you?*

*Join our DIY solar community!*
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Check out my best-selling, beginner-friendly 12V off-grid solar book (affiliate link):

*My Solar Equipment Recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first):*

*My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar Products:*

*Signature Solar*
Offgrid One-Stop-Shop. Best Value 48V LiFePO4, Victron and Offgrid Specific Heat Pumps:

*Current Connected*
SOK, Victron, Mr.Cool Heatpumps and High Quality Components:

*Ecoflow Delta*
My favorite plug-n-play solar generator:

*AmpereTime*
Cheapest 12V batteries around:

*Renogy*
A classic 12V solar store that has been around for ages!

*Rich Solar*
Renogy's biggest competitor! Similar products, but at a better price:

*Battery Hookup*
Cheap cell deals
5% off code: diysolar

*Contact Information:*

*FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers:*
Every video includes some form of paid promotion or sponsorship. Some links on this youtube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :)

DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program,

[WillProwse]

0:27 Working Voltage Range
0:50 Wattage Rating
1:36 AC Output Connection
2:26 Modified Sine Wave Versus Pure Sine Wave
4:02 Measuring the Waveform
5:38 Common Sizing Considerations
6:52 Inverter Grounding Discussion
8:28 Remote Switch Discussion
9:02 Idle Consumption Comparison and Terminology
11:02 DIY Idle Consumption Measuring Procedure
11:42 Inverter Overall Conversion Efficiency
12:45 Inverter Battery Input Comparison
13:16 Inverter Conductor Sizing and Safety Considerations
13:57 Common Inverter Safety Features Including OCPD, LVD and HVD
15:39 Inverter Cooling System and Mounting Considerations
18:05 Battery Input Capacitor Charging

I removed a section about low and high frequency inverter discussion because it was too rushed to summarize the difference. So I'll make another video discussing the differences.

*Does off-grid solar confuse you?*
Check out my DIY friendly website for solar system packages and product recommendations, and so much more!

*Join our DIY solar community*
#1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike:

*Check out my Book*
Best-selling and beginner-friendly guide to 12V off-grid solar!



*My DIY Solar Equipment Recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first):*








*My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar Products:*

*Signature Solar*
Offgrid One-Stop-Shop. Best Value 48V LiFePO4, Victron and Offgrid Specific Heat Pumps:

*Current Connected*
SOK, Victron, Mr.Cool Heatpumps and High Quality Components. Fantastic customer support:

*Litime*
My favorite 12V budget battery!:

*Epoch Batteries*
My favorite high-quality 12V battery:

*Renogy*
A classic 12V solar store that has been around for ages! DC to DC Chargers and more!

*Rich Solar*
Renogy's biggest competitor! Similar products, but at a better price:

*Battery Hookup*
Cheap cell deals
5% off code: diysolar

*Contact Information:*


*FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers:*
Every video includes some form of paid promotion or sponsorship. Some links on this youtube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :)

DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program,
An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

[George.Andrews.]

Well done . No wazup. No lets get into it. No stupid arm waving . No stupid music or anything annoying.
Good information. Thumbs up from George.

[lilyana]

How can this young fellow be so darn smart? Very grateful to you Will.

[StevoStyle]

Im glad you are no longer homeless and are helping people with your knowledge great job buddy keep it up I will be watching your videos in the future

[skinwalker_]

I live in London, no chance of going off grid so why do I love watching your videos?
You are such an easy going teacher and I love learning about how going off grid with solar works with your style of explaining.
I’m sorry you had to experience being homeless it must have been terrifying and I’m glad that you sharing your talents is making a real difference to people and yourself.

[davidadams]

The best masterclass on DIY-level inverters on the Internet. Outstanding, Will.

[ranjanty]

this is a ShoutOut to Giandel! I bought the PS-3000AR inverter using Will's link. After using it for over a year on my small 800W system it stopped working. I contacted the company and they sent me a new inverter plus cables. I was so glad they stood behind their product.

[trevortrevortsr]

I have seldom seen such a flawless fluid delivery.

[garybonz]

Will, thanks for taking the time to explain this info, not just this video but for all of them. I have lived offgrid for 14 yrs and am a retired Helicopter Tech, and by default the local "solar guy" (victim) people call when they have problems with their systems. I end up teaching most of them about their components too, and want to tell you how good of a teacher you really are. You speak well and aren't affraid to tell us your opinion and why, and in plain english, which is nice because I can let them get it strait from you. THANKS !

[AskIveSolar]

This video is gonna crush just like your micro generators video. Helpful for YEARS to come.

[redshedllc]

Man a few months ago I didn’t know anything about solar and have learned so much from you ! Thanks will and wait what you were homeless !? Wow ! Your so genuine and nice n polite ! I’ve been homeless myself and have a business now but that is very inspired brother !!! Thanks !

[malenaedwards]

I am so impressed by your knowledge and your ability to explain bravo young man ! I’m a woman in my mid sixties and you are my go to instructor for all our solar needs....Thank you ! Keep up the good work !

[dennissecor]

I'm amazed that you mentioned, you were homeless, I'm into the van life, and live in my 01 express conversion van, that's why I watch your videos, I want to learn how to use solar, to charge my, agm, house battery, I only have one, so far, but plan on having 2

[ericdelevinquiere]

To the point, no bs and definitely user friendly! Love how you are electrifying the community.

[Liferoad]

My friend has a Mod. sign wave inverter to run her off gride system and I tried to explain to her why things burned out in her house.
You made it so simple to understand.

[thomasbarlow]

Got super lucky and got my 3kw Comcast work van inverter for pretty much free. Dude who sold me the van thought it was broken. Just had to change a fuse on the PCB!

[buffalobill]

Just became interested in off grid power sources for our travel trailer. I'm old but relatively smart, but I need this stuff explained clearly and from the basic concept through the application. I've watched a couple of your vlogs so far and you do an extraordinary job.
Appreciate what you do and will ultimately watch everything I can.

[brucemccreary]

Another issue you might want to cover is the high frequency EMI on the different inverters. The typical inverter generates substantial EMI. Dual CM choke commercial filters are readily available on Digikey. Why do it? According to more than one group of doctors, it's a signficant health stressor as it radiates from all your house wiring. An old style, regenerative tuner AM/SW radio is a good cheap measurement tool for power line EMI. Some inverters will blow out AM radio reception throughout the home.
The best measurement of conducted EMI, which is often low frequency pulses or bursts is with a real time spectrum analyzer with large dynamic range; they are not cheap. Thus I recommend at least the radio comparison; the Tecson R-9012 on Amazon works quite well. It would be hugely helpful for your followers to see/hear the relative difference in EMI on the AC of different inverters.

[gsanning]

Will. I just wanted to take a second to thank you for your willingness to take the time to share the knowledge you have gained through hard work and experience.

[charlesventer]

It's difficult to express how much I appreciate your effort with sharing this information. Your videos are extremely useful. Thank you so so much!