Home Preparedness
By using a simple transfer switch, supplementing your grid power with a battery backup can be easy and affordable. You don’t need an electrician to install a system that can allow your refrigerator or freezer to run off-grid. Nor does it take an electrical expert to run critical appliances like a C-PAP machine or crockpot.
A transfer switch is a device that chooses between two power sources. If you connect your freezer to a transfer switch, your transfer switch can be connected to both the utility grid and to an off-grid inverter. While grid power is present, the transfer switch will pass only grid power to the the freezer. But, as soon as grid power disappears, the transfer switch will switch over to your off-grid inverter.
This diagram shows a complete battery backup system capable of powering a freezer and a crockpot.
A snow storm that caused a two day power outage for an AM Solar Employee
1. Select an inverter and transfer switch: The transfer switch chooses between utility power and inverted battery power. Choose an inverter that can support your loads and a transfer switch that can handle the current.
The 1200VA inverter can power a crock pot or a small chest freezer. It should be paired with the 15A transfer switch.
When using the 1200VA inverter, an optional 25A charger can be plugged into a wall outlet to keep the batteries topped off while the utility grid is active.
Neither the Xantrex Freedom XC nor Victron Multiplus inverter/chargers need the 25A charger or transfer switch, but require more elaborate wiring.
A 2000VA inverter can power a microwave, blender, residential refrigerator, hairdryer, small space heater, etc. A 3000VA inverter can power multiple loads at the same time.
This kit includes all the standard components for the do-it-yourself installation of a Victron Phoenix 1200 inverter system. This inverter offers Bluetooth communication compatibility through a dongle and is ideal for refrigerators, laptops, entertainment centers, and cell phone chargers.
Steady State: 1200VA
Peak Power: 2400W
Voltage Output: 110V AC
Voltage Input: 9.2-17.3V
Waveform: Pure Sine
Frequency: 60hz
Efficiency: 92%
Dimensions: H 4.6" x W 9.1" x D 12.9"
Additional inverter/charger options:
2. Select a battery bank: The battery bank is the heart of the system. We recommend LifeBlue lithium batteries because of their built-in Bluetooth monitoring, high quality, and ability to expand over time.
We sell LifeBlue batteries individually, or as a base kit, which includes one battery, a Victron BMV-712 battery monitor, cable, lugs, and heat shrink, plus expansion kits, which include one battery and parallel cables. For two batteries, select one base kit and one expansion kit. If you want three batteries, get one base kit and two expansion kits.
LifeBlue batteries come in three size configurations, choose what will fit best for your application.
100Ah: H 9.4" x W 12.5" x D 6.5" 28lbs
200Ah: H 10.8" x W 20" x D 6.9" 57lbs
300Ah: H 9.5" x W 20.25" x D 11" 83lbs
Do not let your lithium batteries get below -10° F. Lithium batteries will not charge below 32° F.
LifeBlue lithium batteries have integrated controls to automatically protect against overcharging, overly discharging, and frozen charging. This integration makes installation much easier for DIY projects. LifeBlue offers the most comprehensive Bluetooth monitoring showing status, temperature, voltage, current, cycle life, battery health, Faults and state of charge.
This is a complete LifeBlue lithium RV battery base kit with a Victron BMV-712 Bluetooth battery monitor. The monitor is included to provide cumulative battery bank data, compatible with Victron VRM monitoring. When expanding the battery bank, do not mix battery models and limit the battery bank to four batteries.
This kit is designed to be an add-on to an existing LifeBlue battery system.
3. Prepare for a longterm outage with solar power: Mounting solar panels on the roof of your house may require building permits or violate neighborhood codes. One way to get around this is with portable solar arrays.
Multiple folding panels can be connected to the same battery bank.
In good sun, you may get 3 watt-hours per 1 rated watt of solar panels in a day. That means a 230W solar panel might give you 690Wh of energy per day. This works out to about 57Ah of charge per day.
If permanently mounting solar panels on your roof, or some other structure isn’t a problem, you may consider one of the complete solar charger kits listed below. The mounting hardware in these kits is designed to attach to a flat surface (not a shingled roof) like a wooden frame or metal roof.
Portable panels are an excellent option for rigs with limited roof space and the Zamp folding panels are some of the best we have found. These portable panels do not have a charge controller. They are meant to be used in a "solar ready" system with an existing charge controller or integrated into an aftermarket system. We also sell the Zamp Portable Kits with a charge controller.
Wattage: 230W
Type: Monocrystalline
Open Dimensions: 54" x 40“ x 1.5”
Closed Dimension: 27" x 40“ x 3”
Weight: 47lbs
Frame: Folding, Silver Anodized Aluminum
Connection Type: 15' Zamp cable
Portable panels are an excellent option for rigs with limited roof space and the Zamp folding panels are some of the best we have found. These portable panels do not have a charge controller. They are meant to be used in a "solar ready" system with an existing charge controller or integrated into an aftermarket system. We also sell the Zamp Portable Kits with a charge controller.
Wattage: 180W
Type: Monocrystalline
Open Dimensions: 40" x 39.5“ x 1.5”
Closed Dimension: 20" x 39.5“ x 3”
Weight: 34.35lbs
Frame: Folding, Silver Anodized Aluminum
Connection Type: 15' Zamp cable
If you have an outbuilding, or less restrictions on your property, you may install a permanent solar generator built around one of our base kits with panels added on. For a complete explanation of everything you would want to know about how to design a solar charging system, check out our Solar Charger Design Guide.
