I'm looking to utilize a LifePO4 battery for load shifting with my home server while also providing UPS functionality. I haven't found a suitable inverter that supports zero-export or cutover functionality effectively, similar to a UPS. Has anyone had experience in doing something like this?
2 Answers
I've been using the EG4 6000xp, and the cutover time is pretty solid, around <15ms for single units and <30ms when paralleled. For critical electronics, I still use my APC Smart-UPS 1500 as a backup just in case. Honestly, if you're looking for an inverter with a true UPS switchover faster than 10ms, you may struggle to find one geared for residential use. I've had no issues with my setup, even when switching from battery to grid, my UPS units remain unaffected.
It really depends on your devices, but most ready-made inverters seem to have a switchover time of around 20ms or more, which can cause issues for sensitive hardware. A smart workaround is to use a larger non-UPS device with a small UPS in between to temporarily keep the sensitive gear powered during that 20ms blip. This way, you could use a smaller, less expensive UPS for just the critical devices.