I'm trying to find a programmable timer that can replace the wired remote on/off switch of my inverter. It has a phone jack connector and I really need a solution that allows me to turn off the inverter completely at night since its idle drain is quite high. Has anyone come across a product or solution that could fit this need?
3 Answers
I use a common timer like [this](https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/z0gdyesxhhuq3k4531fzs/Photo-Jun-05-2025-4-26-17-PM.jpg?rlkey=9dm36osodp0s5iyrfnx7vravg&dl=0). It needs 12V to power the relay, so I use a buck converter to step down from 56V to 12V. I actually need the 12V for other devices in my setup as well. Just be aware that if you had a phone jack connector, you’ll need to cut the wires and find the two that need to be crossed to activate the inverter. Connect those to the timer!
Have you heard of Shelly devices? They can handle this kind of setup quite well. However, I think a lot of their products require WiFi, which might not work for you if your inverter is out in the boondocks.
You could actually use a regular timer! The remote switch likely just connects two wires to turn the inverter on and off. I made a similar swap on an inverter that had an RJ11 remote. You just need to figure out the pinout. There are timers like this one that run on 12V DC, though I’m not sure how much power draw it has. There are other versions available too, depending on your needs.