Everything you wanted to know about 5000w inverter

Many guys choose to buy the 5KW Inverter to offer electricity to them. For example, they use the inverter to convert the DC to AC so that they can chagert for their application at their home, just like Microwave, Coffee maker, refrigerator, toaster, computer, TV, Stereo, and Heater, etc. However, the question of "What can a 5000w inverter run" may be more complex in multi-load power systems.

In this article, we will comprehensively explore 5000w inverters, covering their compatibility with different appliances/, the required number of solar panels and batteries, addressing aspects such as loads, PV/generator sources, and energy storage. Additionally, we will examine the power consumption associated with these inverters.

 

 

What Type of Appliances Can You Run on a 5000 Watts Inverter?

An inverter converts direct current (DC) electricity from sources like solar panels or batteries into alternating current (AC) electricity for use with household appliances and devices. The capacity of an inverter is measured in watts (or kilowatts).

And a 5000w inverter, with 5kilowatts as its rated power/continuous power, signifies its maximum power output capacity at any specific moment. It represents the amount of power the inverter can provide at a given point in time, but the actual power output can vary depending on the connected load and the availability of energy from the input source, such as solar panels or batteries.

A 5000-watt inverter can run a variety of appliances, including many common household appliances like lights, TVs, computers, and smaller kitchen appliances. However, it's important to consider both the continuous power rating and the surge power capacity.

• Continuous Power Rating
  A 5000-watt inverter can continuously power devices that require up to 5000 watts of electricity. Ensure that the total power of all loads you want to run simultaneously does not exceed 5000 watts to avoid overloading the inverter.

 

• Peak Power
  Peak power refers to the maximum electrical power required by an appliance or device when starting up. For inductive loads, the peak power is typically 3 to 9 times their rated power because they require extra power to overcome the inertia during startup.

 

• Inverter Surge Capacity
  To meet the startup requirements of these inductive loads, it is essential to focus on and compare the peak power of the load and the surge power capacity of the inverter when selecting one. Surge power capacity represents the additional power an inverter can provide for a short period, often expressed as a multiple or duration.

In general, PowMr solar inverters, for example, have surge capacity of up to twice their rated power and can sustain it for 5 seconds.

You don't need to worry too much either. Modern inverters, after continuous improvements, come with overload protection. If overloaded, the inverter will automatically shut down, and then you can reset the overloaded inverter.

 

List of Appliances You Can Use on the 5000 Watts Inverter

This table lists some common household appliances and devices, including their continuous power requirements and peak power requirements.

Load	Continuous Power Requirement (Watts)	Peak Power Requirement (Watts)
LED Lighting	5 - 20	N/A
Household TV	50 - 400	N/A
Computers	50 - 800	N/A
Refrigerator	100 - 800	800 - 2400
Microwave Oven	600 - 1200	1800 - 3600
Air Conditioner (Small Window Unit)	1000 - 1500	2000 - 4500
Washing Machine	500 - 1000	1000 - 3000
Coffee Maker	800 - 1200	N/A
Toaster	800 - 1500	N/A
Stereo	50 - 200	N/A
Ceiling Fans	10 - 100	N/A
Electric Heaters	1000 - 5000	2000 - 10000

 

How Many Batteries Do I Need for a 5000w Inverter?

To determine the number of batteries needed for a 5kw inverter, several factors come into play. In addition to the obvious ones such as battery voltage and amp-hour (Ah) rating, it also depends on how long you intend to run the inverter at that specific load.

 

Let's assume an example with a 90% efficient 5000W inverter that operates with a 48VDC input voltage and produces 110VAC output.

First, let's calculate the power requirement of the inverter at full load. The inverter outputs 5000 watts (5kW) of AC power. Given the inverter's efficiency of 90%, it needs slightly more DC power from the batteries. The calculation of DC power requirement is as follows:

• Power consumption by the inverter = 5000 watts / 0.9 = 5556 watts
  If the inverter runs at this load for 1 hour, the energy consumption would be:
• Energy consumption = 5.556 kW × 1 hour = 5556 Wh

 

Now, let's examine both the series and parallel configurations separately. We will use two different types of batteries: a 48V 200Ah LiFePO4 battery for the series configuration and 12V 100Ah lithium batteries for the parallel configuration.

 

Series Connection

In general, batteries are connected in series to meet higher voltage requirements, and the number of batteries connected in series depends on the voltage of the batteries and the voltage requirements of the device or system.

This means that the choice of series connection should be based on the specific voltage requirements. For 12-volt lithium batteries, it is typically recommended to limit the number of batteries connected in series to no more than four, while keeping the capacity constant. There is a limit to the number of batteries that can be connected in series, exceeding this limit may result in excessively high voltage, potentially damaging the equipment or system.

Additionally, some lithium batteries do not allow for series connection, so please refer to the instruction manual when connecting batteries.

 

Parallel Configuration (Using 12V 100Ah Lithium Batteries)

As known, the hourly energy requirement is specified as 5556 watts (W), which is equivalent to 5556 watt-hours (Wh) per hour.

1. Using a 12V 100Ah lithium battery, the total energy available is 12V * 100Ah = 1200Wh (or 1.2kWh).
2. Calculate how many 12V batteries in parallel are needed to meet the demand: 5556Wh / 1200Wh ≈ 4.63.

This means you would need at least 5 parallel-connected 12V 100Ah lithium batteries to run the inverter at full load.

The above calculation determined the number of batteries required to run a 5000-watt inverter at full load for one hour.

It's important to note that the actual performance of batteries may differ depending on the manufacturer and usage conditions, so it's recommended to discuss your specific requirements with a battery supplier for more precise information.

Additionally, limiting the depth of discharge is crucial for preserving the battery's lifespan and performance. Therefore, when designing a battery system, it's essential to strike a balance between backup time and battery lifespan.

 

How many amps can a 5000w inveter handle?

Since the inverter can draw current from a variety of power sources, to determine how many amperes (Amps) of current the 5000W inverter can handle, you should consider three areas: Maximum PV Input Current, Max DC/Battery Input Current, Maximum AC Input Current.

 

Maximum PV Input Current

Max PV Input Current represents the maximum current that the inverter can receive from solar panels, typically equal to the short-circuit current (ISC current) of the solar panels under standard test conditions. It tells you how much DC current the inverter can handle from the solar panels.

According to RENAC POWER, the maximum PV input current for conventional PV inverters is usually in the range of 9-10A.

However, the PowMr 5000W inverters have a maximum PV input current up to 22A, which means that it can handle a larger current from the solar panels without exceeding the maximum PV input voltage of the inverter. This allows you to connect more solar panels or support higher-power solar panels.

 

Max Battery/DC Input Current

This refers to the maximum current that the inverter can draw from the battery to extract electrical energy. When you need to extract energy from the battery to power loads, the inverter adjusts the extraction current based on the limitation of its maximum battery input current.

The PowMr 5000W All in One Inverter (POW-LVM5K-48V-N) can handle a DC input current of up to 125A, converting 48V DC into 110V alternating current (AC). The built-in MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) charge controller allows a maximum charging current of 80A for the battery.

The PowMr 5000W Hybrid Inverter (POW-SunSmart-SP5K) similarly supports a discharge current of 125A, with an MPPT charging current of 100A. Additionally, it not only converts 48V DC into 110V AC but also supports parallel connnection for 110/220V split phase or three-phase AC.

 

Maximum AC Input Current

This parameter represents the maximum alternating current (AC) input current that the inverter can handle. It is typically the current supplied from the grid or a generator.

For the PowMr 5kW inverters mentioned above, the maximum supported AC input current is 63A.

Comparision of PowMr 5000w Inverters

Specifications	POW-LVM5K-48V-N	POW-SunSmart-SP5K
Max PV Input Current	22A	22A
Max Battery Input Current	125A (for 48V DC to 110V AC)	125A (for 48V DC to 110V AC)
Max Battery Charging Current	80A	100A
Supported AC Output Voltage	110V AC	110V AC (single phase) or 110/220V split phase or three-phase (in parallel connection)
Max AC Input Current	63A	63A

 

 

How many solar panels do i need for a 5000w inverter

To determine how many solar panels you need for a 5000W inverter, you should consider your location, sun exposure, and the inverter's efficiency. Here's the general calculation formula:

Assuming you have a 5000W inverter with an efficiency of 90%, let's illustrate with examples using different solar panel wattages:

400W Solar Panels

Number of required solar panels = 5000W / 400W * 0.90 = 11.25 panels (round up to 12 panels)

Therefore, using 400W solar panels, you would need 12 panels to satisfy the electricity demand of a 5000W inverter.

 

450W Solar Panels

Number of required solar panels = 5000W / 450W * 0.90 = 10 panels

So, 10pcs 450w solar panels can supply the needed power for a 5000w inverter

540W Solar Panels

Number of required solar panels = 5000W / 540W * 0.90 = 9.25 panels (round up to 10 panels)

So, one set of ten 540W panels is sufficient for a 5000w solar inverter.

However, this is still a theoretical simplification calculation for rough reference purposes. It does not take into