An inverter battery is only as good as its match with the inverter it serves. Many homes and businesses already own an inverter and need a battery for it: the old lead acid bank has worn out, the runtime is too short, or they want to move to lithium. The battery voltage must match the inverter, the chemistry must suit its charger, and lithium should talk to the inverter. This page explains how to choose a battery for the inverter you have. Send one request and local suppliers will quote you free, with no obligation.
Start with the inverter's voltage
Inverters run on a fixed battery voltage: 12 V for trolleys and small units, 24 V for some mid-size units and 48 V for most home hybrid inverters. The bank must match. Four 12 V lead acid batteries in series make 48 V; a single 48 V lithium module does the same job. Check the inverter's label or manual for the battery voltage and the maximum charge current before you shop. If you are unsure, take a clear photo of the label and include it in your request.
Chemistry and charge settings
The inverter's charger must be set for the battery type. Older inverters may only offer lead acid settings, and some newer ones have presets for flooded, AGM, gel and lithium. A lithium battery charged on a lead acid profile may never fill properly or may trip its BMS. Ask the supplier:
- does my inverter support this chemistry
- which charge voltages and currents should be set
- does the battery need a firmware or settings change
- who sets it up and checks it after fitting
Communication for lithium
Most lithium batteries for home inverters talk to the inverter over CAN or RS485, sharing the state of charge, temperature and charge limits. With it working, the inverter charges and discharges exactly as the battery asks. Without it, the inverter guesses from voltage, which is less accurate. Check the battery is on the inverter maker's compatibility list and that the right cable is supplied. 48V lithium batteries covers banks and modules in more detail.
Upgrading lead acid to lithium
Swapping a worn lead acid bank for lithium usually gives more usable energy, faster recharge and less weight. Do not mix the two in one bank, and do not mix old and new lead acid batteries either. Ask an installer to check the inverter can be set for lithium, that the battery cables and breaker suit the new current, and that the old batteries go for recycling. If the inverter is old or faulty, a new inverter and battery package may make more sense.
What to include in your request
- Inverter make, model and battery voltage
- The batteries you have now and their age
- Lead acid like for like or lithium upgrade
- Runtime you want and the main loads
- Take back of the old batteries
Inverter Batteries for different clients
- Homeowners: a new lithium battery for the inverter that came with the house
- Complexes, estates and body corporates: replacing worn banks behind inverters at the gatehouse and clubhouse
- Offices and home offices: upgrading an office inverter from lead acid to lithium for longer runtime
- Shops, restaurants and salons: a battery swap so the shop inverter carries tills and fridges again
- Farms and smallholdings: a bigger battery bank for the farmhouse inverter and the electric fence
- Clinics, surgeries and care homes: matched batteries for a surgery inverter keeping fridges and computers running
- Factories, warehouses, schools and churches: replacement banks for older inverters in workshops and control rooms
- Electricians, installers and security companies: installers sourcing batteries that match the inverters already in clients' homes
Frequently asked questions
How much is an inverter battery?
Can I put a lithium battery on my old inverter?
Why does my inverter battery run flat so fast?
Who can supply a battery for my inverter?
Inverter Batteries by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg