Inverter-Charger Units

How does an inverter charger combo work?

One device that does it all, inverter charger combos are easy to use and can perform three tasks on board in one unit. Whether supplying AC voltage from your boat battery when needed, controlling the charging of the battery via a generator or shore power connection, or ensuring lightning fast power conversion between mains and batteries, these devices are the ideal solution. What that means is that your end consumer devices will continue to function without any issues, should for example your 240 V supply abruptly fail, which is good if you have particularly sensitive electrical devices such as computers, laptops or televisions that could be damaged if they are subjected to voltage fluctuations.

Inverters with charging function are all-rounders. They are compatible with all battery types and on-board networks - optionally from 12 V via 24 V up to 48 V. They can be operated in continuous power and used in parallel for charging currents. In addition, inverters with battery chargers can be programmed and monitored via special panels and interfaces.

And they're smart. Via so-called power-assist functions, they combine the power of an integrated marine inverter with the power available in the port network, which means that temporary voltage spikes, such as when an AC system starts, can be managed. A charger inverter combo is a simple but extremely efficient solution for your on-board electronics.

An inverter with battery charger supplies all 230-volt appliances on board directly via a shore connection or when using a generator, and charges the boat batteries at the same time. If the power source should suddenly and unexpectedly fail, the inverter takes over the supply of the 230 volt end devices. It does this at speed, less than 20 milliseconds, so all appliances can continue to function without interruption. 

Charging the battery via AC from the shore or via a generator is like inflating a tyre, only instead of air, the battery is filled with energy. The charger part of the combo unit performs this task. The charger must have a higher voltage than the battery. Just as the air pressure increases when a tyre is inflated, the voltage in the battery increases when it is charged. The charging current must therefore be permanently adjusted and optimised. An on-board inverter with battery charging function is therefore essential.

A battery charger is the exact opposite of an inverter. It converts 230 V alternating current into 12 V direct current, charges the batteries and distributes the converted current to the corresponding appliances on board. An inverter with battery charger combines both conversion processes. As required. This makes a charger inverter combo unit the ideal solution for making your on-board energy management efficient and simple.

A combined inverter/charger is also short-circuit proof and protected against overheating. UPS (uninterruptible power supply) functions guarantee a constant emergency power supply. By integrating with optional control systems offered by many popular manufacturers, the inverter charger combo is both programmable and suitable for remote monitoring - whether from the boat via LAN or remotely via the internet or the VRM app for all VICTRON devices. 

An inverter charger combo offers you smooth functionality in your energy management and energy supply. By installing a combo unit, not only will you save space on board, but you will also optimise the efficiency of your system and ensure smooth operation when connecting to shore power.

How do I choose the right inverter charger combo?

Before buying a charger inverter, you should consider a number of factors. An important thing to consider when choosing the right inverter combo is the energy demand and the prevailing technical characteristics of your on-board network. The decisive factors are primarily the input voltage (12V or 24V) and the output voltage (220V - 230V), the efficiency, the rated power (consumption) and the required peak power, which must be taken into account, especially with high starting currents. You should also check whether your loads can be operated with a modified current signal or whether they require an inverter-charger combination with a pure sine wave. Factors such as the maximum current of the charger, the maximum current of the transfer switch and the number of outputs for different boat batteries also are important when buying.

How much space you have on board, your energy requirements and the type and time of use of your appliances will also give you an idea of which combi charger you need for your boat, motorhome or camper. All units are supplied with built-in protection against short-circuits, reverse polarity, overheating and risky voltage overlaps (earth, inverter and generator). Once installed, your inverter charger combo will give you independence, maximum energy efficiency and enjoyment on board.

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Want to get your energy from other sources and not only from a 230 V shore power connection? Looking for a solution that allows you to be self-sufficient, even on longer cruises or at anchor for several days? Then you should think about renewable energies such as wind or sun or a generator to charge your marine batteries on board. You can find loads of info on solar technology, power generators, wind generators or even hydro generators in our online shop. To store the energy produced in the best possible way, we recommend batteries specially developed for boat use, whether AGM, gel, lead or lithium. Discover everything there is to know about boat batteries from all popular manufacturers here at SVB.