EG4 Chargeverter 100A Battery Charger Review - Is Your Gas Generator Killing Your Solar Gear?
When you invest in an off-grid or backup power system, one of the main concerns is always going to be making sure that your equipment actually lasts. However, if you’re relying on a gas generator as part of your backup power system, there’s a chance that you could be slowly destroying your solar equipment.
Enter the EG4 Chargeverter—a 48V, 100A battery charger designed to stop your gas generator from harming your solar setup. With advanced features that help clean up the “dirty power” coming from gas generators, the Chargeverter might just be the missing link in your off-grid setup.
Today, we’ll explain what the EG4 Chargeverter is, diving deep into its features, benefits, and even some of the things we don’t like about it. Let’s find out if this little device is worth adding to your off-grid or backup power setup.
So, What Is the EG4 Chargeverter?
The EG4 Chargeverter is a 48V battery charger with a 100A rating and a max output of 5,120 watts, meaning it can fully charge a standard server battery in just about an hour. Weighing in at around 13 pounds, it’s compact, easy to install, and passed our Tiny Baby Lift Test with ease.
The main function of this unit is its ability to convert the “dirty” AC power that is produced by gas generators into the stable DC power that solar batteries are designed to store. It’s compatible with any 48V battery setup, not just EG4 products, making it a versatile option for most solar power systems and battery banks.
What Exactly is “Dirty Power” and How Does the Chargeverter Help?
If you’re still feeling a bit confused, don’t worry, we’ll clarify what we mean when we say gas generators create “dirty power”.
Basically, the Chargeverter’s true strength lies in its ability to handle what’s known as "dirty power." Most gas generators do not produce a pure sine wave, meaning the power they produce has spikes that can be damaging to sensitive equipment, like laptops, air conditioners, and portable electronics, like smartphones.
This type of “dirty power” can also damage the sensitive electronics and components that are within a solar power system. So, if you have incorporated a gas generator into your backup power system, with solar panels and your gas generator both being used to charge the same batteries, you could be damaging some of the components in your system.
In fact, Signature Solar even claims that one of the leading causes they have found for premature inverter failure is exposure to the type of “dirty” and inconsistent power produced by gas-powered generators. Keep in mind that the term “dirty power” has nothing to do with the fumes and noise that gas generators create, but just the simple fact that they have a far less consistent output than other power sources.
This EG4 Chargeverter essentially acts as a buffer, cleaning up that inconsistent power before it hits your batteries. So, if you’re someone who relies on a generator during storms or in the winter months when sunlight is limited, the EG4 Chargeverter can protect your other investments, helping to preserve your solar components and batteries and preventing costly damage.
Breakdown of the EG4 Chargeverter’s Specs:
Before we get into an even more detailed breakdown of what the EG4 Chargeverter does and how it can help you, let’s take a quick look at its main specs:
Voltage: 48V
Current Output: 100A
Max Power Output: 5,120 watts
Input Voltage: Supports both 120V and 240V AC Inputs
Idle Power Consumption: It’s rated at 10W, but when we tested it, we found it barely dipped below 300W, so real usage might vary to say the least
Weight: Just 13 pounds
Communication Ports: RS485 and dry contacts for automatic generator control (more on that below)
Since the Chargeverter features an RS485 communication port for real-time battery monitoring and dry contact ports that enable automated generator operation, it has the ability to turn your gas generator on or off based on your battery’s state of charge, creating a fully automated backup power solution. This is a really cool feature that helps automate your entire backup system.
What Does the EG4 Chargeverter Do?
As discussed above, the Chargeverter’s primary function is to convert the inconsistent, potentially damaging power produced by gas generators into clean DC power that’s safe for your batteries. Plenty of gas generators, especially the older or less expensive models, produce "dirty power" when running at higher loads.
This so-called “dirty power” can include voltage spikes, surges, and harmonic distortion, which can disrupt the smooth operation of electronics. With the Chargeverter, even if your gas generator is running at full tilt and producing this messy and inconsistent power, your batteries will receive a stable current, reducing wear on your inverter, batteries, and other sensitive components.
For example, when we visited our video editor Josh’s tiny home, which runs fully off-grid, we noticed flickering lights and pulsing power when he was using gas generators alongside his solar power setup. Once the Chargeverter was added to the equation, these visible issues were solved.
While small light flickers might not seem like a big issue, and it isn’t really at the surface level, the inconsistent power that causes this issue can be really damaging over time. Basically, the Chargeverter serves as a critical safeguard for setups like Josh’s. When you consider how much money people invest in their off-grid setups, a relatively cheap component like the EG4 Chargeverter is a really worthwhile addition.
Why You Might Need the EG4 Chargeverter
You may need the EG4 Chargeverter if:
You Rely on a Gas Generator: If your system already has a gas generator incorporated into it, adding the Chargeverter will help extend the life of your other components.
You Live in an Area with Inconsistent Sunlight: Not everyone lives in Arizona, so you can’t depend on getting full sunlight exposure every single day. This is particularly true during the winter, when solar power tends to be less reliable. In these cases, people often rely on a gas generator for days when their solar panels aren’t as productive, increasing the risk of damaging other components. Adding a Chargeverter to the system can solve this problem.
You Have a Cheap or Old Gas Generator: Smaller and cheaper gas generators tend to produce really dirty power, which makes sense when you consider the fact that they’re made with cheaper components. If this applies to you, the Chargeverter can act as an insurance policy for your solar setup.
Using a Chargeverter means you can safely use a 6,000W generator to provide consistent power to something like an EG4 6,000XP All-in-One Inverter, without needing a larger, more costly generator. Essentially, it allows your system to make the most of what your generator can output.
What We Like and Dislike About the EG4 Chargeverter
Now that we’ve explained what it can do, let’s breakdown what we like and dislike about this little unit.
Why We Like It
While we weren’t exactly sure how beneficial the EG4 Chargeverter would be when we first got our hands on it, our opinions quickly changed after a bit of testing. Not only is it practical, it comes packed with features that can make life easier, especially for those with off-grid setups. Here’s just a few of the highlights:
Automatic Generator Control:
Using dry contacts and the RS485 communication port we mentioned earlier, the Chargeverter can turn your generator on or off based on your battery’s charge level. This is a fully automated way to maintain power without the need to constantly monitor things. Even without the communication port, it can recognize voltage fluctuations and react automatically. Basically, it’s a smart little device that can make your life easier.
High Power Output:
With a 5,120W maximum output, it can charge a 48V battery much faster than plenty of inverters on the market right now, making it a useful addition if you’re in a hurry or during power-intensive situations.
Multiple Plug Options:
You can wire it to various plugs, from standard 120V wall outlets to 240V connections, making it adaptable to a wide range of setups. We always like when a product is versatile, as it just makes things so much more beginner-friendly.
Pass-Through Charging Capabilities:
If your inverter doesn’t support pass-through charging, the Chargeverter allows you to charge your batteries while still powering your appliances, effectively giving you more flexibility. For those with dated inverters, this can save you money, as you don’t have to fully replace your entire inverter just to unlock this hugely beneficial feature. Again, the Chargeverter can more than justify its price tag.
What We Thought Could Be Improved
As you know, here at The Solar Lab, we like to be critical, as we want to make sure that all of our reviews are as honest and unbiased as possible. Like any device, we found a few limitations and gripes when we were testing the Chargeverter:
It Cannot Handle Overloads Well:
If your battery is powering a load that exceeds 5,000 watts while the Chargeverter is charging, it won’t function properly. You may need to disconnect certain batteries in larger setups to ensure compatibility.
The Low Operating Temperature Range:
It’s only rated to operate in temperatures down to 14°F, which may not be sufficient in extreme winter conditions. This was probably the biggest issue we found, as most people that use a hybrid gas generator and solar power system tend to rely on their gas generator the most during the winter.
Not only do the winter months tend to be the most cloudy and overcast, the days are shorter, limiting how much solar power you can realistically generate. If, like us, you live in a colder climate that gets really harsh winters, keep this in mind. Sure, you could keep it inside, but a lot of people have their backup power setups in non-heated spaces, like their garage or a backyard shed.
Extra Equipment Requirement:
This is a bit of a weird gripe, as we know that this device was introduced to solve a legitimate problem people have, but we just wish EG4 would build this technology directly into their inverters.
Having to add a separate device to achieve generator compatibility feels like a stop-gap solution. Although the Chargeverter is affordable, it’s an extra component you have to manage and integrate into your system. When we buy an “all-in-one” inverter, we want it to be just that.
Our Final Thoughts: A Cost-Effective Solution for Gas Generator-Dependent Systems
At a full price of $499, regularly on sale for $465, the EG4 Chargeverter can be a really solid investment that can protect the rest of your solar system from gas generator-related wear. We also have a $25 discount code listed below that you can use to save a little bit of extra cash.
For those relying heavily on their gas generator to help supplement the power their solar panels generate, this Chargeverter can prevent damage, extend the lifespan of your equipment, and keep your system running smoothly without interruption. When you think of it as a protective measure that keeps far more expensive pieces of equipment safe, it’s a really good deal.
So, while it might not be a necessary purchase for everyone, if you’re frequently firing up your generator, this compact, feature-packed little charge converter might just be the missing link you need to keep your system efficient and safe. It gets a thumbs up from us, and we’ll probably end up using it on a fairly regular basis.
🛒 Shop the EG4 Chargeverter - GC | 48V 100A Battery Charger:
Signature Solar: https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-charge...
Use Code: SOLARLAB25 for $25 Off
🛒 Shop EG4 Batteries:
EG4 LifePower4 V2: https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-lifepo...
EG4 LL-S: https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-ll-s-l...
Indoor WallMount: https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-wallmo...
PowerPro All Weather: https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-powerp...
Use Code: THESOLARLAB50 for $50 Off