If you want a source of backup power in your home, you’re probably deciding between generators and inverters. These two devices have a lot in common, and both work to supply your home with usable electricity. However, understanding the differences between inverters and generators can help you decide which one is right for you.
What Is a Generator?
A generator creates electrical power from an outside source of fuel. Many generators run on gasoline or diesel fuel and convert mechanical energy into electricity. Internal combustion rotates an armature that creates electricity through copper wiring. Most generators can connect directly to your home’s electrical paneling, supplying you with backup power so long as you have the outside fuel to keep the generator running.
What Is an Inverter?
Inverters, on the other hand, don’t create electricity but help change it from one type of current to another. For example, most home electronics and appliances utilize alternating current (AC) electricity. Conversely, many battery packs, like those found in RVs or solar panel systems, operate on direct current (DC) electricity. An inverter safely transforms the DC power from a solar battery bank, for example, into AC power that you can use in your home.
Which Is Better?
When looking at the differences between inverters and generators, it helps to remember the main distinction is in their names. Both devices ensure we have AC electricity in our homes, but generators generate electricity with external fuel, while inverters convert electricity from one current to another, drawing on power from solar panels and/or batteries.
If you have any form of solar panel system in your home, you should invest in an inverter to safely use that stored solar energy from your batteries. In addition, having a generator as a backup isn’t a bad idea, especially if you live in a region where you can anticipate lengthy power outages due to natural disasters or grid instability, and are restricted in your use of batteries due to extreme temperatures. Just be sure to factor in the cost of fuel when deciding the best route for backup power in your home or vehicle.
Also, generators and inverters are both valuable for when you’re off the grid and staying in an RV. To learn more about RV lithium battery packs, BigBattery is here to help. We have a wide range of products and information on how you can get the highest amount of energy possible when boondocking in your recreational vehicle. For more details or to speak with a trained representative, don’t hesitate to contact us anytime. We’re happy to assist you!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long do LiFePO4 batteries last?
A quality LiFePO4 battery can commonly deliver 4,000 or more charge cycles, often roughly 10 years or longer under the right conditions. Depth of discharge, temperature, charge settings, storage habits, and the BMS all affect the result.
How many years is 4,000 cycles?
One full cycle per day is about 11 years. Three cycles per week is more than 25 years on paper, though calendar aging becomes the limit first.
What happens at the end of a LiFePO4 battery's life?
It does not suddenly stop. It loses capacity gradually. A battery rated for 4,000 cycles may be specified to keep around 80% of its original capacity at that point.
Does temperature affect LiFePO4 battery life?
Yes. High heat speeds aging, and charging below freezing can damage cells unless the battery has low-temperature protection or self-heating.
How long does a lithium battery last in an RV?
Many years, when charging sources are configured correctly and the battery is protected from freezing charge conditions. Annual cycles are often fewer than in a daily solar system, but conditions vary more.
How should I store a lithium battery?
Store it at a partial state of charge in a clean, dry, moderate-temperature location. Disconnect parasitic loads and check it periodically per the manufacturer's guidance.
