Hey everyone! I was advised against buying cheap combi inverters, so I found a local deal on an APC Smart-UPS RT 6000VA. The seller claims it works, but it's without batteries. I'm thinking about connecting a 12V battery and using a DC-DC converter to step up to 48V to see if it operates correctly. I'm a bit worried that this setup might try to charge the battery in a way that could damage the converter. Do you think it could function effectively as an inverter for solar? I'm planning to pair it with an MPPT regulator and possibly a battery as well. Thanks for any insights!
2 Answers
Using a UPS like this could work, but remember that most UPS units aren’t designed for continuous use without grid power and might not hold up for long. If you're testing with a DC-DC converter, it could be okay, but I wouldn’t risk damaging anything. Just keep an eye on how it performs!
I had good luck using an APC 2200w UPS in my RV for a while, but it would overheat pretty quickly under heavy loads. It's meant for short bursts, so just bear that in mind. If you're not pushing heavy loads for long periods, it should work fine. Just be careful because mine had some quirks; sometimes it wouldn't start unless I cycled it a few times with no grid power. Make sure to check if yours has any connectivity options like RS232 or RJ45!
Cool, thanks for sharing! I can handle a bit of overheating. Does yours have any of those interfaces?
Definitely watch out for that converter. The startup draw can be huge, so you'll need a solid battery to handle it.