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How to Charge an Inverter

Ray Padgett

An inverter is a special box used to convert the DC power generated by stand-alone batteries to the AC power used by most household appliances. To use it, you connect it to the battery and then plug your AC appliance into the outlets on the inverter. Some inverters allow you to charge them from the battery, then disconnect them and continue using the appliances until the charge runs down. Inverters are easy to charge.

Some inverters let you charge them before removing the battery.
  1. Connect the black wire coming out of the inverter to the positive (+) terminal of the battery. Most inverters allow you to do so using alligator clips.

  2. Connect the red wire coming out of the inverter to the negative (-) terminal of the battery.

  3. Plug an AC-powered appliance into the inverter. The inverter will still charge if you are using it concurrently; it will just do so more slowly.

  4. Wait for the inverter to charge. This generally takes one to two hours, but it varies by device. Check your manual for the exact time.

  5. Disconnect the cables in the reverse order -- red first, then black. Your inverter will now be charged and ready to use without the battery. When it runs out of power, just charge it again using the same procedure.