UPS 'all in one' device vs charge controller + inverter

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  • SunSeeker1
    Junior Member
    • May 2018
    • 24

    #1

    UPS 'all in one' device vs charge controller + inverter

    I'm trying to decide if extra cost of UPS device which has solar charge controller + mains charger + inverter is worth it since I already have a dedicated solar charge controller and just need a pure sine wave inverter.

    I know the UPS manages the input/output to the battery eg you have 30 amps coming in and are using 10 amps in your home it will input 20 amps to battery and output 10 to the house. The charge controller + inverter combo will input 30 amps to battery then output 10 from inverter.

    Now how does this affect the battery and the system as a whole? What's the advantage in that?
  • Ampster
    Solar Fanatic
    • Jun 2017
    • 3658

    #2
    If you are talking about a true UPS which has some overhead, the advantage of that over other hybrid inverters is the time it takes to switch power when the gird goes out. Some hybrid inverters have UPS mode that reduces that cut over time to milliseconds instead of a second or two. The advantage is for any sensitive electronics or even the clock on your stove. Interestingly, while the Tesla Powerwall has low overhead it will no immediately cut over and some of the users on another forum actually use a true UPS in front of their sensitive electronics.Are you on grid or off grid?
    Tell us more about your goals and maybe more advice may be forthcoming.
    9 kW solar, 42kWh LFP storage. EV owner since 2012

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    • SunSeeker1
      Junior Member
      • May 2018
      • 24

      #3
      Originally posted by Ampster
      If you are talking about a true UPS which has some overhead, the advantage of that over other hybrid inverters is the time it takes to switch power when the gird goes out. Some hybrid inverters have UPS mode that reduces that cut over time to milliseconds instead of a second or two. The advantage is for any sensitive electronics or even the clock on your stove. Interestingly, while the Tesla Powerwall has low overhead it will no immediately cut over and some of the users on another forum actually use a true UPS in front of their sensitive electronics.Are you on grid or off grid?
      Tell us more about your goals and maybe more advice may be forthcoming.
      Right my bad I'm talking about off grid and I just want to know how the UPS managing the input & output is an advantage.

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      • ButchDeal
        Solar Fanatic
        • Apr 2014
        • 3802

        #4
        Originally posted by SunSeeker1

        I know the UPS manages the input/output to the battery eg you have 30 amps coming in and are using 10 amps in your home it will input 20 amps to battery and output 10 to the house. The charge controller + inverter combo will input 30 amps to battery then output 10 from inverter.
        You can't really put 30a into a battery and take 10a out at the same time. There will be a DC buss and the battery will only see 20a with 10a being pulled off the buss before it gets there.
        OutBack FP1 w/ CS6P-250P http://bit.ly/1Sg5VNH

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        • SunSeeker1
          Junior Member
          • May 2018
          • 24

          #5
          Originally posted by ButchDeal

          You can't really put 30a into a battery and take 10a out at the same time. There will be a DC buss and the battery will only see 20a with 10a being pulled off the buss before it gets there.
          So it doesn't make a difference if input/output is managed by 'all in one' ups or not?

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          • ButchDeal
            Solar Fanatic
            • Apr 2014
            • 3802

            #6
            Originally posted by SunSeeker1

            So it doesn't make a difference if input/output is managed by 'all in one' ups or not?
            They are both managed by Ohms law
            OutBack FP1 w/ CS6P-250P http://bit.ly/1Sg5VNH

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