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If you’re tired of frequent power outages or looking for a cost-effective way to power your RV, home, or off-grid cabin, learning how to make a DIY inverter at home could be the perfect solution.
In this complete guide, I’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions to create your own inverter — whether you want a pure sine wave inverter, a 2000-watt inverter, or simply a 12-volt inverter to run your basic appliances.
And don’t worry — even if you’re a beginner, by the end of this post, you’ll know exactly how to build an inverter at home, including what tools and parts you need, safety tips, and advanced options like how to make a homemade inverter circuit for welding!
Related Article:
How to Make a DIY Power Inverter from Scratch (Step-by-Step with Circuit Diagram)
Disclaimer:
This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. High voltage electricity and complex electronics can be dangerous, potentially deadly, if not worked with properly.
This guide should only be used by someone with experience and knowledge of electrical safety. Do not attempt to construct an inverter when guidance from professionals is not available, if you are not sufficiently qualified.
No liability is accepted by the author or this site for any injuries, damage or loss that may arise from following the guide set out in this article. Make sure to comply with the local electrical codes and safety regulations and use suitable safety equipment when building any electrical project.
Proceed at your own risk.
What Is an Inverter and Why Should You Make One?
Before we dive into the fun part (building!), let’s first understand what an inverter is.
An inverter is an electronic device that converts DC (Direct Current) power from sources like batteries or solar panels into AC (Alternating Current) power that you can use to run home appliances such as lights, fans, refrigerators, and more.
Why Build a DIY Inverter?
- Save money by avoiding expensive off-the-shelf inverters.
- Customize output to suit your unique needs (RV, home, camping, solar).
- Learn valuable electronics and DIY skills.
- Integrate with solar panels for a complete off-grid solar system.
Parts and Tools You Need to Build a DIY Inverter at Home
Wondering how to make a simple inverter at home? Here’s a shopping list to get started:
Essential Components:
| Component | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Transformer (12V to 220V/110V) | Steps up DC to usable AC voltage |
| Transistors (e.g., 2N3055, IRFZ44N) | Switch current on/off rapidly |
| Oscillator IC (4047 or 555 Timer) | Generates alternating signal to drive transistors |
| Capacitors & Resistors | Smooth out signals and stabilize the circuit |
| Heat Sink | Prevents overheating of transistors/MOSFETs |
| 12V Battery (Lead-acid or Lithium) | DC power source |
| Wires, Connectors, PCB Board | Assembly and wiring |
PURE SINE WAVE INVERTER PARTS REQUIRED:
- EGS002 SPWM Inverter Driver Module
- IRF3205 or IRLB4132 MOSFETS (16x)
- 12V to 220V (500W/1000W) Transformer
- TO-220 Isolation Set (16x)
- TIP31C NPN Transistor
- 7805 Regulator
- 1N4007 Diode (8x)
- 10k Ohm NTC Thermistor
- 10k Ohm Multi-turn Trimmer
- 10 Ohm Resistor (4x)
- 2.2k Ohm Resistor
- 10k Ohm Resistor (4x)
- 100k Ohm Resistor (2x)
- 470nF 25v Capacitor
- 2.2uF +350v Capacitor
- 2.2uF 25v Capacitor
- 10uF 25v Capacitor
- 100uF 25v Capacitor
What is EGS002 Board
For the construction of Pure Sine Wave inverters, the EGS002 is a flexible $3 all-in-one solution. It can be used to create inverter units from low power to high power. Upon initial delivery, it is not yet an inverter. Building a few parts around it would be necessary to turn it into a working inverter unit.
What Makes It So Excellent?
The cost of good commercial pure sine wave inverters with high power is costly! Their price range is $120-$400. Your choice of input voltage, output voltage, and power ratings allows you to construct a wide variety of inverters with the EGS002! Depending on your specifications and where you get your parts, it might be as cheap as $20.
What’s on the board of the EGS002?
The EG8010 SOIC microcontroller is an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) microcontroller chip that is used in the EGS002 to drive H-Bridge inverters by producing SPWM logic signals. The chip also has I/Os that are specifically made for temperature monitoring, fan drive output, closed loop voltage monitoring, and cut-off current monitoring. The chip is preprogrammed and ready to use, in contrast to an Arduino-based inverter project.
Two IR2110S MOSFET drivers are also included on the board to drive an all-N-channel H-bridge MOSFET configuration for SPWM and polarity switching to the transformer or inductor. The low side and high side MOSFETs are specially guaranteed to be fully saturated by this chip.
- By providing the gates with the appropriate gate voltages to guarantee that they have the least amount of on-resistance in accordance with their specifications, this prevents power losses from on-resistance.
OP-AMP for Current Sensing: To increase the voltage from the shunt resistor, the board is equipped with an LM393 OP-AMP. As the chip uses the amplified voltage for overcurrent protection, it returns to the analog input of the EG8010. - LCD Ready Display Output: A proprietary LCD display is already pre-programmed to operate with the EG8010 microprocessor. To obtain the additional LCD screen, you can add one dollar to the $3 EGS002 unit This shows the frequency mode, temperature, output voltage, and current.
- Single LED Error Display: To show errors for troubleshooting, a single red LED on the board would blink for a certain amount of time.
Pure Sine Wave Inverter Circuit
Pro Tip: If you aim for a pure sine wave inverter, you’ll also need PWM controllers, MOSFET drivers (like IR2110), microcontrollers (Arduino), and LC filters.
Step-by-Step: How to Make a DIY Inverter at Home
Ready to get your hands dirty? Follow these easy-to-understand steps.
✅ Step 1: Design the Inverter Circuit (The Brain of Your Inverter)
First, decide on your inverter type:
- Square Wave Inverter (basic, for simple loads like lights and fans).
- Pure Sine Wave Inverter (advanced, for sensitive electronics like laptops).
If you’re starting out, a square wave inverter is easier to build.
Use an oscillator IC (like IC 4047) to create a pulse that will switch the transistors rapidly, mimicking an AC signal.
✅ Step 2: Choose and Prepare Your Transformer
- For 12V input and 220V output, select a 12-0-12 center-tapped transformer.
- For US systems, a 110V output transformer may be required.
- Make sure the transformer can handle your target wattage (e.g., 2000 watt inverter needs a heavy-duty transformer).
✅ Step 3: Building the Switching Circuit (The Muscles)
Connect the oscillator output to transistors/MOSFETs (like IRFZ44N) to drive the transformer.
Important: Use a heat sink and, for high-power setups, cooling fans to prevent components from overheating.
✅ Step 4: Power Up with a 12V Battery
Here’s where “how to make a 12-volt inverter at home” becomes practical:
- Connect the circuit to a 12V DC battery.
- Ensure you use thick gauge wires to handle the current safely.
✅ Step 5: Test Your DIY Inverter!
Connect a small load (like a 10W bulb) to the output.
- If everything is wired correctly, the bulb should light up using AC power generated by your homemade inverter!
Safety Reminder: Never test with high loads first. Always start small to prevent damage and danger.
Upgrading to a Pure Sine Wave Inverter
If you’re thinking “how to make a pure sine wave inverter”, here are additional tips:
- Use Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) to create smoother waveforms.
- Add LC filter circuits to eliminate noise and smooth out voltage.
- Microcontroller (Arduino) can control frequency and waveform accuracy.
- This setup is essential for running laptops, medical equipment, and TVs.
DIY RV Inverter: Portable Off-Grid Power
Many readers wonder how to build an inverter for an RV. Here are must-have features for a DIY RV inverter:
- Compact size but powerful (aim for 1500W to 2000W).
- Solar charge controller compatible for pairing with solar panels.
- Stable output for appliances like fridges, microwaves, and air conditioners.
- 12V system with good battery management.
Pro Tip: Pair your inverter with solar panels for a complete off-grid setup and maximize energy savings!
Special: How to Make a Homemade Inverter Welding Machine
If you’re adventurous and asking “how can I make a homemade inverter welding machine?”, you’ll need:
- High-current MOSFETs/IGBTs.
- Arc ignition circuits.
- Custom heavy-duty transformers.
- Cooling systems (because welding needs high currents).
⚠️ Caution: DIY welding inverters are advanced projects, requiring expertise in high-voltage electronics!
💲 Cost of Building a DIY Inverter vs. Buying One
| Inverter Type | DIY Cost Estimate | Store-Bought Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Square Wave (500W) | $50 – $80 | $150+ |
| Pure Sine Wave (1000W) | $120 – $250 | $400 – $800 |
| RV Inverter (2000W) | $300 – $500 | $700 – $1500 |
| Inverter Welding Machine | $400+ (Advanced skill) | $600 – $2000 |
FAQs: Answering Your Top Questions
How can I make a homemade inverter circuit?
You can make a homemade inverter circuit using IC 4047, transistors like 2N3055, and a center-tapped transformer, paired with a 12V battery.
How to make a simple inverter at home?
Use basic components — oscillator, transformer, transistors — to convert 12V DC to AC for running lights, fans, and small appliances.
How to make a 12-volt inverter at home?
Build a circuit that uses 12V battery input, steps it up via a transformer, and outputs 110V or 220V AC using switching transistors.
Can I build a 2000 watt inverter?
Yes! But you’ll need heavy-duty components: large transformer, high-current MOSFETs, and proper cooling.
What is a pure sine wave inverter?
A pure sine wave inverter produces smooth AC power just like the grid, ideal for sensitive devices like TVs, laptops, and medical equipment.
Last Thoughts
Building your own inverter is a rewarding and money-saving project. Whether you’re powering an RV, setting up a solar system, or preparing for outages, now you know how to build an inverter at home — from a 12-volt inverter to a pure sine wave powerhouse.
