Defined Inverters draw the stored power from your batteries and step it up to household current. For example, if you're using a 12V system for battery storage, your inverter will step up the voltage ten times to make 120V household current. There are two basic types of inverters: modified sine wave and true sine wave. We recommend true sine wave in a home or business. Although modified sine wave will work, we have found that appliances have to work harder and run hotter on modified (which will shorten the life expectancy of your appliance) and some newer appliances (stereos and washing machines in particular) will not work at all on modified sine wave. True sine wave inverters have come down in price in recent years making them affordable to most persons interested in using alternative energy.
Inverter Manufacturers There are many manufacturers for inverters. The best known is probably Trace/Xantrex; however, OutBack is also an excellent inverter, with unmatched reliability, backed by the best customer service in the industry. Please click on the manufacturers links for specific product information.