So you want to know whether you can charge a battery while using an inverter?
Well, the answer is yes.
You can absolutely charge a battery with an inverter connected.
In fact, it can actually help your inverter and battery last longer!
Before you start let’s take a look at the different aspects of battery charging and inverters.
Keep reading to find out the advantages and disadvantages of doing this, plus how to stay safe in the process.
Charging a Battery While Using an Inverter
It is possible to charge your battery while using an inverter. And it won’t cause any damage to either piece of equipment.
To be honest, your inverter is actually going to love it because it will have to draw fewer amps and generate less heat. Your battery will be better off thanks to the reduced amperage and duty cycles. The only thing that is not going to benefit is your battery charger which is going to have to work harder.
Let’s go through each part in detail to give you a complete understanding.
1. Inverter
Your inverter is going to be much better off if you charge your battery while using it. In simple terms, an inverter needs to draw fewer amps with a fully charged battery which helps to reduce heat. This lower workload helps to reduce wear and tear to increase its lifespan.
The voltage output of a battery changes depending on its level of charge. When fully charged it has a higher voltage compared to when it’s lower on energy. And this voltage directly affects how many amps you draw.
For example, imagine you have a 500 watt inverter connected to a 100Ah battery. At full charge with your battery charger running to maintain full charge, the battery voltage goes to 13 volts. The equation is 500W ÷ 13V = 38.5A. That means there are 38.5 amps running through your setup.
Now compare that to drawing power from a battery with low charge. The voltage might drop to 11V. The maths becomes 500W ÷ 11V = 45.5A. That means there are now 45.5 amps running through your inverter.
To supply that same wattage with a charger connected would reduce the amperage by 8A or more – this results in a substantial reduction in heat through your inverter and lessens the stress you put it through.
2. Battery
As for the battery, well, that’s going to be better off too.
For a start, if you are using a lead-acid battery it is very important to maintain a high level of energy. In fact, it is recommended not to discharge them less than 50%. You definitely shouldn’t completely deplete a battery as this causes irreparable damage!
By charging the battery while using the inverter, you can avoid depleting energy too far and remove risk of damage. Plus, batteries have a certain lifespan based on charge cycles. A charge cycle is how many times you use up energy and recharge a battery fully. So by avoiding these cycles you can increase the lifespan of your battery.
3. Charger
The final component in this is the battery charger.
You should know that when your inverter is connected and you are drawing power, you will never get a fully charged battery. Although, you could achieve this if your charger is able to deliver more amps than you are drawing.
Either way, drawing power while you are charging means your charger will be constantly running to replace the energy. That means you are going to be putting it through extended usage. Adding to this, it will generate a lot of heat which put’s wear and tear through the device.
The Bottom Line:
To sum up, yes you can charge a battery with an inverter connected. Your battery and inverter both benefit but your charger will have a heavy workload.
Does trickle charging extend battery life?
Yes, trickle charging extends the life of your battery. This is because it keeps it topped up and stops it from going flat. Leaving a deep cycle battery to go flat will damage it. Plus the slow and steady trickle charge maintains energy levels without the heat and stress created by a high-speed charger.
Can you charge a battery with an inverter?
No, an inverter cannot charge a battery. An inverter works by drawing energy from a battery and it cannot work in reverse. But you can buy an inverter charger, which is an inverter with a separate charging unit built-in.
Some people have been known to charge a car battery with an inverter. This is essentially a way of transferring energy from one battery to another via the inverter. This is not recommended as you will lack safety protections.
Is it bad to use a battery while charging?
No, it is not bad to use a battery while charging. If you are using an inverter you can actually improve its performance and increase the lifespan of your battery. Of course, your charger will have to work harder to constantly replace energy in the battery.
Final Thoughts on Charging a Battery While Using an Inverter
Maintaining your inverter and battery setup dramatically increases their lifespan.
In my opinion, that’s a pretty good rule in life. Take care of possessions!
In order to do this, it’s important to understand the best way practices.
Now you know the effects of using an inverter while charging a battery you can keep everything in good working order.
You can happily, charge a battery when using an inverter. It actually helps to improve the performance and lifespan of this equipment.
Just remember your battery charger will be working harder and generate a lot of heat.
