0:27 Working Voltage Range 0:50 Wattage Rating 1:36 AC Output Connection 2:26 Modified Sine Wave Versus Pure Sine Wave 4:02 Measuring the Waveform 5:38 Common Sizing Considerations 6:52 Inverter Grounding Discussion 8:28 Remote Switch Discussion 9:02 Idle Consumption Comparison and Terminology 11:02 DIY Idle Consumption Measuring Procedure 11:42 Inverter Overall Conversion Efficiency 12:45 Inverter Battery Input Comparison 13:16 Inverter Conductor Sizing and Safety Considerations 13:57 Common Inverter Safety Features Including OCPD, LVD and HVD 15:39 Inverter Cooling System and Mounting Considerations 18:05 Battery Input Capacitor Charging I removed a section about low and high frequency inverter discussion because it was too rushed to summarize the difference. So I'll make another video discussing the differences. *Does off-grid solar confuse you?* Check out my DIY friendly website for solar system packages and product recommendations, and so much more! www.mobile-solarpower.com *Join our DIY solar community* #1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike: www.diysolarforum.com *Check out my Book* Best-selling and beginner-friendly guide to 12V off-grid solar! amzn.to/2Aj4dX4 If DIY is not for you, but you love solar and need an offgrid system, check out Tesla Energy! They will price out a system and get your house offgrid: ts.la/william57509 *My DIY Solar Equipment Recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first):* 12V/48V Lithium Solar Batteries: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-batteries.html Complete Solar System Component Directory: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solarcomponents.html Complete 48V System Blueprint: www.mobile-solarpower.com/48v-complete-system-blueprint.html Plug-N-Play System Recommendations: www.mobile-solarpower.com/full-size-systems.html Complete "Add to Cart" 48V System Kits: www.mobile-solarpower.com/complete-48v-solar-kits.html DIY Friendly Air Conditioner/ Heat Pumps: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-friendly-air-conditioners.html *My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar Products:* *Signature Solar* Offgrid One-Stop-Shop. Best Value 48V LiFePO4, Victron and Offgrid Specific Heat Pumps: www.signaturesolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek *Current Connected* SOK, Victron, Mr.Cool Heatpumps and High Quality Components. Fantastic customer support: currentconnected.com/?ref=wp *Litime* My favorite 12V budget battery!: www.litime.com/?ref=XBIA62RFcalHns *Epoch Batteries* My favorite high-quality 12V battery: www.epochbatteries.com/products/12v-460ah-lifepo4-battery-ip67-heated-bluetooth-victron-comms?rfsn=7352625.50494d *Renogy* A classic 12V solar store that has been around for ages! DC to DC Chargers and more! renogy.sjv.io/n1VjXx *Rich Solar* Renogy's biggest competitor! Similar products, but at a better price: richsolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek *Battery Hookup* Cheap cell deals bit.ly/2mIxSqt 5% off code: diysolar *Contact Information:* I am NOT available for personal solar system consult! If you wish to contact me, this is my direct email: williamprowsediysolar@gmail.com Join the forum at diysolarforum.com/ if you wish to hang out with myself and others and talk about solar *FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers:* Every video includes some form of paid promotion or sponsorship. Some links on this youtube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :) DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

Well done . No wazup. No lets get into it. No stupid arm waving . No stupid music or anything annoying. Good information. Thumbs up from George.

I have seldom seen such a flawless fluid delivery.

How can this young fellow be so darn smart? Very grateful to you Will.

this is a ShoutOut to Giandel! I bought the PS-3000AR inverter using Will's link. After using it for over a year on my small 800W system it stopped working. I contacted the company and they sent me a new inverter plus cables. I was so glad they stood behind their product.

The best masterclass on DIY-level inverters on the Internet. Outstanding, Will.

Im glad you are no longer homeless and are helping people with your knowledge great job buddy keep it up I will be watching your videos in the future

Will, thanks for taking the time to explain this info, not just this video but for all of them. I have lived offgrid for 14 yrs and am a retired Helicopter Tech, and by default the local "solar guy" (victim) people call when they have problems with their systems. I end up teaching most of them about their components too, and want to tell you how good of a teacher you really are. You speak well and aren't affraid to tell us your opinion and why, and in plain english, which is nice because I can let them get it strait from you. THANKS !

I live in London, no chance of going off grid so why do I love watching your videos? You are such an easy going teacher and I love learning about how going off grid with solar works with your style of explaining. I’m sorry you had to experience being homeless it must have been terrifying and I’m glad that you sharing your talents is making a real difference to people and yourself.

This video is gonna crush just like your micro generators video. Helpful for YEARS to come.

To the point, no bs and definitely user friendly! Love how you are electrifying the community.

I am so impressed by your knowledge and your ability to explain ...... bravo young man ! I’m a woman in my mid sixties and you are my go to instructor for all our solar needs....Thank you ! Keep up the good work !

Just became interested in off grid power sources for our travel trailer. I'm old but relatively smart, but I need this stuff explained clearly and from the basic concept through the application. I've watched a couple of your vlogs so far and you do an extraordinary job. Appreciate what you do and will ultimately watch everything I can.

Yes! My husband and I tuned in to your last live stream and asked for this exact video! Thank you for this! 🙏

It's difficult to express how much I appreciate your effort with sharing this information. Your videos are extremely useful. Thank you so so much!

From complicated to pure simplicity just like magic. Thanks a lot Will. Now I can stop banging my head against the wall , trying to understand it all . Definitely will be looking out for other video's you have and future one's.👍

My friend has a Mod. sign wave inverter to run her off gride system and I tried to explain to her why things burned out in her house. You made it so simple to understand.

Got super lucky and got my 3kw Comcast work van inverter for pretty much free. Dude who sold me the van thought it was broken. Just had to change a fuse on the PCB!

Will. I just wanted to take a second to thank you for your willingness to take the time to share the knowledge you have gained through hard work and experience.

I'm so amazed the way you explain each and every details for all the products without being bias. and KUDOS to you hard work. You deserve this success.

This is, without doubt or fear of contradiction, the finest tutorial, on any topic, I have followed on youtube. It is delivered in an interesting style, clear and lucid. I am new to this subject but I gained confidence that with reference to more of your videos I shall suceed in building a system for my house in the Western Italian Alps once I return there. Grateful thanks!

Your Ability to convey the Information in simple and plain language is phenomenal ! Every video i watch makes me feel like I'm getting a master Education and I already know a lot about Electricity ! Thank you so much for sharing your time and knowledge !

The mist has cleared. Thank you Will for a fantastic and well presented information session. 10/10.

By far the best information displayed in a KZfaq video ever, well done. You truly love what you do and it shows

Thank God, I stumbled onto your channel. You are a wonderful teacher. The way you break your subject into small steps just makes it much easier for me to understand.

I was glad to see You referenced a Mike Holt Video as a go to guide, I've been in the Commercial Electrical Trade 35+ years and Mike has always been my place to go to for knowledge and for any questions concerning NEC and particularly Grounding, the best resource I've ever found, good job, great Video Will.. 👍🤠

Man a few months ago I didn’t know anything about solar and have learned so much from you ! Thanks will and wait what you were homeless !? Wow ! Your so genuine and nice n polite ! I’ve been homeless myself and have a business now but that is very inspired brother !!! Thanks !

Awesome video, I struggled for many years with this topic and I'm happy to see you've covered almost everything about inverters. I'd love to learn more about those grid tie inverters as well, please make a video about that! Many thanks!

Your videos are so easy to understand 🙌🏼 Thank you! A true master makes complicated things sound simple.

I’ve learned to make pure copper “washers” for connecting my inverters- helps when size is a bit off and makes a bigger surface area for contact. I just cut down copper bar stock (1/8”) and drill exact size hole as connection.

Will, you did a super good job. Thanks A small addition, some high quality inverters can have also an leakage current circuit breaker or even an integrated mains priority circuit. This is more common at RV's but if you need very useful

one of the best videos I have seen on youtube explaining critical off-grid points that we need to educate ourself before buying, thanks lot man you helped me to be on the right track

Great video, just a note about the GFCI receptacles. You don't need to ground them (they often come with a "no equipment ground" sticker for ungrounded applications). They work by comparing the current in and out, and if there is a mismatch (ie current flowing through someone to ground) then they trip.

You just continue to strip the mystery out of solar energy empowering the ignorant to understand fully the science and technology of solar power. Thanks again Will for delivering such informative and entertaining tutorials. From Leon in Capetown South Africa.

Will I'm so happy for your success, been watching you for a few years now. It's so awesome how far you've come, all to your hard work and eagerness to learn. Thanks fo all you're doing, I'm fairly good at solar now because of you.

I've watched other videos to try to understand how inverters work so I can possibly set up a system in the future. I currently use a Jackery, it was easy. You explained it so well, I truly have a better understanding. Thank you for 1) explaining in an easy to understand manner and 2) not talking down to your audience. This really helped me and I didn't know anything about anything until now. Thank you!

Everything I wanted to know in one video. Man, you explain things in a way that's so easy to follow!

Absolutely great information. I always assumed inverters were more or less amplifiers but I did not realize how truly close they are! I have a 3k watt mono amp that uses dual input 1/0 gauge input. At higher ohm load 4 - 5 ohm it's 91% efficient but I also have a expensive class a/b stereo amplifier that is extremely inefficient however it has an very low distortion output of .001% thd but at best its 55% efficient. The extremely expensive rockford Fosgate mono amp was 94% and was called a class b/d. It has a very regulated power supply though and sounds excellent. And your so right! Use a transistor to charge the caps in any power load! It's far easier on the equipment. Thanks for another great video Mr. Will

Thanks a lot Wil!!!!! I can't wait til I start building my house. I want to go totally OFF GRID! The electricity is very expensive where I will build the house (plus, there are frequent blackouts). I have been following your instructional videos for a long time and greatly appreciate your continued desire to share. God bless you Will!!!!!

Love your videos, I am watching every one in order to learn how to set up my system and I have never, ever thought about doing my own solar!! Thank you!!

Such a breath of fresh air! I truly appreciate your no nonsense way of sharing awesome information! It’s so easy to see how much you enjoy what you do! Blessings! ☺️

Will you have helped me so much, I have unofficially adopted you as my oldest grandson, lmao, Thank you so much for everything you do, you do not realize how much your simple step by step instructions have helped me, im a carpenter, electric has never been a friend, you have made it so this old lady can set up her own solar system I have some electricity now thanks to you YOUR AWESOME,

Awesome video, I learned a few things I did not know. If you ever re-record this, I was hoping you'd give examples of inductive loads vs non-inductive, like fridges and AC units vs electronics and hot water heaters. The layperson just getting started may not know the difference. Regardless, thank you for putting this together!

Wow, what a great tutorial and compressed education. I want to acquire a small solar power system for emergencies and I think I just found my coach. Thanks Will.

This was incredibly clear and we'll explained. You have a gift. I never thought I could understand something like this and now I understand it well enough to explain it to someone else. Thank you!!

Lots of good tips here, Will, including safety. Nice job.

First-class presentation as always, Will. Thanks.

MIssion accomplished Will. Thank you for the tip on using a pre-charge resistor. Just added it to my equipment list with a ‘why/when to use’ note. Great learning video - Thank you!

Very well put together. Simple and you covered everything. Your delivery method was exceptional. Great video.

Thank you Will; the caution bits of your videos are the most important because it seems to always be the last things we think of. God bless you 😃

Will, excellent video as always; however, I wish you would have mentioned neutral-ground bonding more and how some brands, like Giandel, don't support it. This is a big problem if you're using a transfer switch and trying to be neutral-ground bound when off-grid and not neutral-ground bound in the trailer when you are on shore

I love the way you organized the topic. The way you talk even is the best comprehencible for guys like me. Thanks

I wish I found your channel months ago, I am super happy to have found that now. I seldomly subscribe to KZfaq channels and I’ve never hit the subscribe button so fast. My own research only took me so far. Thank you so much for making all of these videos they answer every single question I have. I was also homeless for a long time to so it is very inspiring to see how far you have come. Thanks again man!! You rock!

Hi Will. I've been watching for quite a while and actually built my own little 280AH battery and solar system for our camper with your videos. Much thanks! However, I wanted you to know about the Krieger 1100 Watt 12V Power Inverter. After a bone-head move on my part, I blew the internal fuses. Realizing what I had done, I opened it up and discovered the fuses were permanently soldered to the board! After some re-soldering, I was able to put some aftermarket inline fuses in the system and it works great. Just wanted you and your customers to know about this weakness in the Krieger 1100 Watt 12V Power Inverter. Again, thanks for your hard work and great videos.

I bought your book and used it to design my solar system for my skoolie. It's filled with everything needed to build an off grid system. Thanks for all your effort in helping with much needed information and making it easy to read.

Been watching you videos....your excellent! I've had solar for 30 years..and I learn something every time i watch your tutorials. Thanks !

I could listen to this guy everyday with his guiding.

Another issue you might want to cover is the high frequency EMI on the different inverters. The typical inverter generates substantial EMI. Dual CM choke commercial filters are readily available on Digikey. Why do it? According to more than one group of doctors, it's a signficant health stressor as it radiates from all your house wiring. An old style, regenerative tuner AM/SW radio is a good cheap measurement tool for power line EMI. Some inverters will blow out AM radio reception throughout the home. The best measurement of conducted EMI, which is often low frequency pulses or bursts is with a real time spectrum analyzer with large dynamic range; they are not cheap. Thus I recommend at least the radio comparison; the Tecson R-9012 on Amazon works quite well. It would be hugely helpful for your followers to see/hear the relative difference in EMI on the AC of different inverters.

Epic! Excellent explanation. Has a few gaps for the total beginner but I was able to follow along. I'm not sure how my situation would fit in as I am only looking for a basic power station. This must be for larger systems, but very good to learn about. Years ago, there was a guy who wrote auto repair manuals for "the complete idiot". He started out with VWs. Any total beginner who knew nothing could do a complete engine breakdown with this book. Lol - I traveled across the country with the darned thing - it saved my backside! You could do something like this for solar systems. Much needed! Good luck to you 🙂

thank you. I follow your classes, I'm an amateur as I live off grid, this helps me immensely.

This guy knows his stuff. Unlike so many "content providers," who have self-serving motivations (to sell you something) it is quite clear that he is focused on providing complete and accurate information so that his viewers can make their own best decisions. I am very grateful.

Another excellent video, thank you Will.

The more I watch your videos the more I realize this is borderline diy. I have a low voltage background and I have trouble keeping up with you sometimes. Thank you for your insight and ability to explain. The spark thing at the end was funny. I wonder how many people have messed their pants with the spark.

I know nothing just interested in getting a simple solar generator and panels. I came across your channel and just can't get away from listening to your knowledge even if not understanding this stuff but you sure have a way of teaching!

Excellent video and guide too, I bought a Bestek 500w pure sine wave for an off-grid project I am working on, so this video is very helpful, thank you so much Will, you are such a good teacher.

Thanks Will, I didn't realize the cable that came with my inverter might not be pure copper wires. I'll correct that.

Hey Will - You should know, on your site, the Giandel Inverter listed for 12v and 4000 watts (the second one), links to a 24v Inverter. It says in the top line description specifically not to connect a 12v system - you may want to update your site so your viewers dont cause a huge problem for themselves. Great work, keep doing what youre doing!

Im ready to write an exam about inverters after this video. Geez. Super impressed at the detail and clarity of delivery.

Brilliant MASTERCLASS if there ever was one. Like him, I've made my share of mistakes: gensets, panels, wiring, inverters. Messy. I've learned by them. What I'm hearing here is so good. I guess mistakes teach us a great deal, are a real asset because it forces us to learn high quality stuff AND we know WHAT to look for in training. It separates the genuine from the 90% snake oil or expert wannabes . My mistakes taught me ro easily sniff out and find the very very best teachers. Thus is the best, hands down. Thank you from an appreciative student. Dave

As usual amazing information putting other so-called experts to shame and good call on proper grounding and specially for van life I lived in a van for quite a few years and a trick I learned being an electrical engineer in the steel industry is a very inexpensive grounding strap, I first tried it because some of our more high powered Fork trucks had to be grounded because of the rubber tires and it was nothing more than a simple strap right in the center underneath the vehicle dragging on the ground

Many thanks for a very informative video. However I have some differences with some points you make. This is based on my experience of living totally off grid for many years. I would advise to choose the most efficient inverter possible, with the lowest zero load consumption. This will save you the cost of additional panels and batteries. (I saved enough by changing my inverter to run a normal household fridge). However, the larger the inverter, the larger the zero load consumption, so I would advise against buying a significantly oversized inverter. I have been living with a 1500w inverter for many years without any regrets. Of course there are some appliances I can't run, but there is nothing I really miss. Thanks again for your great videos!

I'm very happy I found your channel! Excellent review and knowledge base!

Just recently started watching your channel. Sorry to hear you were homeless for awhile. You seems very knowledgeable and I just ordered a component system for a garden shed. Wanted to let you know I am putting trust in you and your knowledge.

It would be awesome to see fans send in videos of the battery builds or off grid builds they have made

Will, thanks for sharing your amazing knowledge on electricity and how it relates to solar power. I'm thinking of putting solar panels on my roof and wondering if I should go with microinverters installed just underneath the panels as I don't have a garage or really any space to put a large panel

Awesome job sir. Knowing the electrical theory behind the reasons for your recommendations and procedures gives me confidence that you know what you're talking about. Good tips about that first connection cap charge through a ceramic resistor.

Love your videos I was homeless for 10 years so solar fascinated me and the fact that you brought yourself back up .

Great video. I hope you will do part 2 about the HF and LF inverter types and how to read the Power surge spec of the HF and LF inverter.

I just found you and have been binge watching all of your videos! I'm getting ready to take on a project and would love to be as independent as I can as I do it. You are absolutely amazing at explaining and being so honest!!! Thank you so much good to see you still putting out videos!!!! Helps you are smart plus cute! 😁

love your videos. as money allows ( buying items as i get the cash, panels will be the last.) i will be building a solar system on my rv. your videos gives me the knowledge i did not have before. keep up the great work.

Thanks so much, for making this video. I am an old retired woman but still wanting to learn and have been following you and learning more from you than in a classroom. LOL

Just the video I needed

7:50 a GFCI does NOT require the outlet to be grounded. As a matter of fact, it can be used in older "2 wire" homes and give you the same protection. GFCI work by measuring the current coming in on the "hot" leg and the current going out on the "neutral" leg. If they are not equal, the GFCI trips. GFCIs do NOT provide over current protection. A GFCI require 120VAC input in order to be reset.

Great video Will, maybe a part 2 about using battery isolators and also difference between HF and LF inverters. loved the bit about the grid power, also surges from the grid/lightning to include. keep it up Will!

great job! good to hear this. many people need to hear this info! best 20 minutes of training of the year!

Great video Will! The only suggestion I'd make is to topically address precisely what an "inductive load" is. For that matter, inductive loads & capacitive loads could probably be a video on their own. For those reading this and wondering, an inductive load contains/electrically acts like a coil of wire. (Examples would be electric motors, and electric heaters.) Modified sine wave inverters have high frequency harmonics that are dissipated as heat in an inductive load; that's where the heat Will mentioned comes from. If you've ever heard the term "coil whine," that's also an artifact of square and modified sine waves, and it can be really annoying if you can hear the high frequencies. Since I brought it up, a capacitive load contains/acts like a small high-current power bank. (Examples would be just about any charger you can lay hands on, or LED lighting drivers.) By design, these tend to filter the power as it comes in, and so are less susceptible to those high-frequency harmonics. So, if you're looking at charging a phone or laptop, maybe running LED lights, or a TV, a modified sine wave inverter would be just fine. Pretty much anything else really should be hooked to a pure sine inverter.

As an electrical apprentice wanting to build my own system, you have saved me research time and bugging my teachers to death. Lol. Thanks!

This was one of the best vids I've seen on this topic. I've been on the fence back and forth about buying a mod vs pure and so you sold me on the pure for sure. Buy once cry once.

so glad I found your channel I only need an inverter for my fridge and coffee pot.... but I had a modified sine wave. I just installed the GoWise 2000 ..... so my full size refrigerator will continue to operate efficiently for many years..... thx again Will for your clarity

High frequence vs. low frequency design should be included in this video - your 6kW unit on the end is a low-frequency design sungold (Aims brand clone) inverter. Low frequency inverters have a massive/heavy transformer in them that allow them to surge much much higher and longer than the more cheaply built high frequency inverters. However LF designs tend to be less efficient and idle at a higher power draw. High price != low idle power draw.

For those with no inverter remote switch panel included in the unit make your own by pulling the rectangular switch out of the inverter, i can pull mine with my finger nails nearly. Extend the two wire to your desired location and fit another switch in series with the one you just pulled out. I will be putting those two wires into the auxiliary signal switches of my ATS Auto transfer switch that swaps to back up power( inverter power) in a power loss situation and then swaps back when city power returns. If i didn’t remote the inverter power on switch and just left it on waiting for a power fail then the battery would be feeding it standing by but also my SOUER FPC-500BL 24v-220v PSW inverter has a system of slow cooling fan or high cooling fan , if switched on the fan is running 24/7 either fast or slow even if nothing is plugged in so draining your battery !! My remote switch connection at the ATS will prevent the inverter running while city power is present. ** Edit ** Don't do this !! It is dangerous for the inverter !! I did this and lengthened the 2 wire with a cable. I connected the wires into my ATS supply change over devices no volts contacts. As so as I did this and operated the ATS device my inverter failed. I mentioned this story on a Solar Forum and a guy came back saying he had had the same issue where a solar company did the same thing to larger inverter and that inverter blew and the same thing happened to him when a small relay was placed in the inverter to stop the internal inverter volts leaving the inverter. I replaced my blown inverter for a Souer FPC-1000B which has temp controlled fans but still is warm if on but fans don't run. Maybe a high amount DC rated triac switch is the answer that holds off the DC to the inveeter.

That was a helpful video for sure! I am going to do the boat thing eventually I believe in going to watch your grounding safety videos also. I'm glad to see you've turned your experience around in a big way! I have been working on cars for 30+ years and always learn something new. Well done my freind.

I thank you deeply for the information you are sharing with me the modified sign inverters that I have been using have lasted me 15 years and are still functioning simply because I never got beyond LED lighting I have never ran electronics on modified sign and I have never exceeded one third of the continuous rating of the modified sign inverters and now what you have explained to me definitely confirms why the modified sign has lasted me so long with no trouble keeping the load to a bare minimum and running for hours the modified signs don't even get warm simply because the energy I'm pulling is so minute I have yet to purchase a true sign when I do it will definitely go 6,000 or better on continuous rating only simply because I will not exceed 1/3 of the continuous rating just to help keep the inverter cool you have been very educational to me and I thank you keep up the good work I'm very proud of you sincerely off grid only

Would you do a video on RV LARGE lithium battery bank? 500 amp hours +. Thanks!

Thank you for clarifying about the idle consumption of the all in one inverters. I wasn't sure what you meant about "offsetting 400w of solar to the idle consumption of the inverter" on your website and was gonna reach out to you about it. That being said, would you still recommend getting a growatt for a RV application with a large battery bank? For reference, I have a 24V 280ah lifepo4 system and combination of price savings and simplicity makes getting a growatt a very tempting option

I love all your videos. The best instructor I have seen so far.

Much appreciated Will, watching from Belgium, Europa. you present so enthousiastic, it is a pleasure to watch you explain. keep up the good work.

Efficiency also highly depends on load. Most inverters do have a sweet spot (highest efficiency), which is typically not at the highest output but somewhere at around 30% of the rated output power. It also depends toroidal transformers vs. e-core transformers. The latter has a much lower efficiency. Another thing to notice is that the inverter and battery needs to be matched. You can't run a 6kW inverter from a single 100Ah battery even if that's a lithium.

Just can't stop watching your videos! Food for geek nerding out sessions!

Almost forgot lol thanks for the videos. I've learned a lot more than just the common knowledge things from you 👍