Inergy Apex Frequently Asked Questions

Inergy Apex Solar Generator


Apex Specifications

Q: How many amps can the Apex handle?
A: The Apex had a 1,500 watt pure sine wave inverter that can surge to 3,000 watts. This would equate to 12.5 Amps AC sustained or a 25 Amp surge.
  Q: Does the Apex have a built-in controller to keep from overcharging the battery?
A: Yes, the Apex does have built-in technology to keep the battery from being overcharged.
Q: What comes with the Apex?
A: The Apex comes with the Apex unit itself, shoulder strap, and an AC wall charger.
Q. What temperature can the Apex withstand? 
A: The Apex can withstand temperatures as low as 20 degrees F and as high as 115 degrees F
Q: Where is the Apex manufactured?
A: The Apex is designed and engineered in the USA at Inergy’s Idaho headquarters. The units are then manufactured to specifications in China. They are then shipped to the USA where the units are tested before being shipped to customers.
Q: Does the Apex have a built-in fan? Does the fan run all the time? Is the fan noisy?
A: There are two fans in the Apex. The primary fan comes on and runs while the power button is pushed. The secondary fan comes on when the inside temp goes up. Both fans are quiet.
Q: Does the Apex have a PWM or a MPPT charge controller?
A: The Apex has a MPPT charge controller.
Q: What is the warranty on the Apex?
A: The Apex carries a one-year limited warranty.
Q: My Apex arrived only partially charged. Why is this?
A: Due to shipping regulations, the Apex is only allowed to be shipped partially charged. Make sure you fully charge the Apex after it is received.
Q: Can I take the Apex on the plane when I go on vacation?
A: No. The Apex cannot be taken on passenger planes. You would need to ship the Apex via ground transport to your destination.
Q: How much does the Apex weigh?
A: The Apex weighs 25 pounds.
Q: How many amp hours can the Apex provide?
A: The Apex will provide 90 Amp hours with its 1,100-watt battery capacity.
Q: What are the maximum voltage at full charge? What is the minimum voltage at the maximum safe depletion level?
A: At full charge, the voltage will be between 12.3V – 12.6V. The minimum level will be between 9.3 - 9.6V. 
Q: Do I have to have the inverter on to use the Apex?
A: No, you can use some of the Apex ports without having the inverter on. With the Apex power switch in the DC position, you can run the 12V DC sockets, Basecamp LED ports and the USB ports.

 

Apex Battery and Adding External Batteries 

Q: What is the lifespan of the battery in the Apex?

A: The Apex battery expected life is 2,000 cycles or 10 years. One cycle is completely empty to completely charged.

Q: What kind of battery is in the Apex?

A: The battery in the Apex is a Panasonic 90 Amp hour 1,100-watt lithium-ion battery.

 

Q: Is the battery replaceable in the Apex?

A: The battery is replaceable. However, replacing the battery must be done by Inergy Solar. Currently, they are not replaceable by the end user. If the Apex is opened, it will void the warranty.

Q: If using a external AGM battery, what size cable is needed to run between the battery and the Apex? 

A. 2/0 Gauge battery
cables (made of pure copper, NOT copper plated) with 3/8” ring
terminals for up to a 5 foot long cable

Q: Can I add additional batteries to the Apex? If so, what kind of batteries can I use?

A: There are terminals to add additional batteries to the Apex. We recommend Any 12 Volt deep cycle lead acid, AGM, or gel cell battery. 

Q: Can two or more Apex units be daisy chained together to double the inverter and battery capacity?

A: Unfortunately, you cannot daisy chain Apex units together. If it is done, you may damage the Apex and void the warranty. The Apex does have the capability to add additional batteries to it.

Q: How long will the Apex hold its charge?

A: The Apex will hold its charge for for up to a full year. However, it is recommended to check the battery level every 3 month to make sure it is not below 10%.

Q. How do I tell how full my battery is on the Apex?

A: The battery capacity remaining can be viewed in the upper left hand corner of the LCD screen. It is displayed in number format and as a battery icon.
 

Charging the Apex

Q: What are my options for charging the Apex?

A: You can charge the Apex with solar panels, 12V car charger, standard wall charger or the Quick Wall charger.

 Q: Can I use my Apex while it is being charged?

A: Yes, you can use the Apex while it is being charged.

Q: How long does it take to charge the Apex using the AC wall charger?

A: It takes about 11 hours to charge the Apex using the AC wall charger.

Q: How long does it take to charge the Apex using the 12-volt car charger?

A: It takes about 10-11 hours to charge the Apex using the 12-volt car charger.

Q. Is there a more powerful AC charger than the standard AC charger?

A: Yes, there is a Quick Wall Charger available. The standard AC wall charger is 100 watts. The Quick Wall Charger is 189 watts

Q: Can I use both charging ports at the same time? Like charging using solar panels and the AC wall charger.

A: No, only one charging port can be used at a time. You can either charge it using Port 1 (standard wall charger or Apex Car Charger) or Port 2 (Quick Wall Charger or Inergy solar panels). You cannot use both at the same time.

Q: Will any solar panels work with the Apex?

A: You can use any solar panel to charge the Apex as long as you stay do not exceed 26V DC (VOC, open circuit) or 30 Amps. 

 Q: What connections are used to connect solar panels to the Apex?

A: The Apex high current charge input port uses a EC8 connectors.

Q. What is displayed on the Apex LCD? 

A. The Apex LCD screen gives you information about the input and output of your Apex. The screen will show the net combination of input or output. This is show thru both CHG/DIS or thru arrows pointing different ways. It also displays the net combination of power in watts as well as the battery voltage. 

Q. How long does it take to charge the Apex with solar?

These times are approximate dependent on sun condition, panel angle, etc.

  • (1) 100-watt Panel - 15 - 17 hours 
  • (3) 100-watt panels - 5 - 6 hours
  • (5) 100-watt panels - about 3 hours

 

What I can run on the Apex

Q: What can I run with the Apex and how long will they run?

A: You can run almost anything that plugs into a wall that draws less than 1,100 Watts or 10 Amps at 110 VAC. Adding solar panels will extend your run time for these items. With the right sized solar panel system and external battery bank attached to your Apex, you could have an unrestricted run time experience.

Q: Can the Apex power my entire home?

A: No. The Apex has limitations on what it will run. Most electric appliances exceed the capability of the Apex. If it is a gas appliance, the Apex can power it provided that they have a standard 110 VAC wall plug.

Q: Will the Apex run my air conditioner or clothes dryer?

A: If these items are electric, the Apex will not power them. These types of appliances use 220 VAC and the Apex can only discharge 110 VAC.

 Q: Can you leave the Apex on full time with a fridge plugged into it? 

The Apex isn't designed to act as a UPS. While that would work, we wouldn't recommend it due to the stress it would put on the system running 24 hours per day every day.

Q. Can I connect the Apex to my house main control panel?

A: No.

Q. How many Amp hours does the Apex provide? 

The Apex provides 90 Amp Hours, with 1100 watt battery capacity.

Q. Will the Apex power my electric stove, air conditioner, furnace, hot water heater, or electric dryer? 

A. If these appliances are electric, the Apex will not power them. The Apex only discharges 110 VAC. These appliances use 220 VAC. The Apex can handle a load of up to 1500 Watts AC or DC. These electric appliances require much more power than the Apex is designed to deliver.
On the other hand, gas appliances require much less power, because heat is generated by burning the gas. You only need electricity to turn on the timers, igniters, safeties and interlocks in the appliance so that the gas can turn on. Once the gas can turn on, you can use the appliance. In a normal power outage, gas is still available as long as you can deliver power to the specific appliance. Most gas appliances use 110 VAC. For example, if you have a gas stove less than 10 years old, during a power outage, all you have to do is plug the stove into the Apex to turn on the electronics, timers and readouts. Now you can use your stove. Instead of a 240V receptacle, a gas range/oven plugs into a conventional 120 VAC outlet, just like any other 120 VAC appliance. The most important purpose of the electricity is to power a piezoelectric ignition system, which eliminates the need for a standing pilot, which wastes gas. The power also operates the light, timer and, if the unit has one, the auxiliary power receptacle.

Q: How long will the Apex run the following: smartphone, tablet, basecamp LED, laptop, CPAP machine, TV, electric blanket, microwave, or refrigerator

A: It will run those items as follows. These are approximate only. The actual times may vary due to variations in make, models, conditions, and settings.

  • Smartphone (5-7 watts) – 100+ hours
  • Tablet (25-40 watts) – 40+ hours
  • Basecamp LED (6 watts) – 183 hours
  • Laptop (50 watts) – 20+ hours
  • 50” LED LCD TV (65 watts, Energy Star Certified Appliance) – 16 hours
  • Electric Blanket – Queen Size (75 watts) – 14 hours
  • Refrigerator, 19 cu.ft. – (20% duty, Energy Star Certified Appliance) – 33 hours
  • Sump Pump (1/3 HP) - 2.5 hours
  • Chest Freezer (9 cu ft., 15% duty) - 50 hours

 

    Solar Storm 100 Panel

     

     

     

    Q: What type of solar panels are these?

    A: The Solar Storm 100W panels are polycrystalline panels.

     Q: How much do these solar panels weigh?

    A: 16.2 pounds

    Q: What are the dimensions of these solar panels?

    A: These solar panels are 26.5 inches wide, 40 inches tall and 1.8 inches thick.

     Q: Can I chain multiple panels together?

    A: You can chain these panels together. If they are connected to the Apex, you can chain up to 5 of the Solar Storm 100 panels together to charge the Apex.

    Q: What type of connectors are used on these panels?

    A: The Solar Storm 100 panels have EC8 connectors.

     Q: What is the frame of this panel made of?

    A: The frame of the Solar Storm is made of aluminum.

    Q: What is the wattage of these solar panels?

    A: The Solar Storm 100 panels are 100-watt solar panels.

     Q: What is the power tolerance range for the Solar Storm 100?

    A: The power tolerance range is +-3%.

    Q:What is the warranty on the Solar Storm 100 panel?

    A: There is a 1-year warranty.

     Q: What cables are available for the Solar Storm 100?

    A: The connection cables come in two different lengths. They are available in 6-foot or 30-foot lengths.

    Q: How long does it take to charge the Apex with one Solar Storm 100 panel?

    A: One Solar Storm 100 panel can take between 15-17 hours to fully charge the Apex. Keep in mind that this is with optimal sun and panel positioning.

    Q. How do you hook up the Inergy Apex and the Panels? 

    A. Read our blog post with graphics showing you how to hook it up: How to set up the Apex with Inergy Solar Panels. 

     

    Linx 100 Solar Panel

    		  

     

     

    Q: What is the wattage of the Linx 100 panel?

    A: The Linx 1000 solar panels are 100-watt panels.

    Q: What kind of solar panels are the Linx 100?

    A: The Linx 100 panels are monocrystalline panels.

    Q: How many Linx 100 panels can I hook up to the Apex?

    A: You can hook up five (5) Linx 100 panels to charge the Apex.

    Q: What cables are available for the Linx 100?

    A: The connection cables come in two different lengths. They are available in 6-foot or 30-foot lengths.

    Q: How do the Linx 100 panels connect together?

    A: The Linx 100 panels are chained together with EC8-to-EC8 cables. 

     Q: How long will it take to charge the Apex with one Linx 100 panel?

    A: It will take about 15-17 hours with one (1) Linx 100 panel to charge the Apex. Keep in mind this is with optimal sun and panel placement.

    Q: How much do the Linx 100 panels weigh?

    A: They weigh 8 pounds.

    Q: Are the Linx 100 panels flexible?

    A: They are semi-flexible. They can flex up to 30 degrees - ETFE lamination.

     Q: Are the Predator 50 panels waterproof?

    A: Yes, they are waterproof.

    Q: What is the size of the Predator 50 panel?

    A: They are 26 inches wide, 40 inches tall and .75 inches thick.

    Q: What is the warranty on the Predator 50 panels?

    A: There is a 1-year warranty.

     


    Basecamp LED Light

     

                           

    Q: How many watts do the basecamp lights use?

    A: The chainable lights use 6 watts and the USB lights use 5 watts.

    Q: How long can one (1) basecamp light run on the Apex?

    A: The Apexwill power one (1) basecamp light for approximately 183 hours.

    Q: Where do these lights plug into the Apex?

    A: The chainable basecamp lights can be plugged into the basecamp LED port. There are two on the Apex. The USB basecamp lights can be plugged into any of the two (2) USB outlets on the Apex.

     Q: What type of connections are on the these?

    A: The basecamp lights come in two varieties. You can get them where they chain together with barrel connectors. The other option is the basecamp light that has a USB connector.

    Q: Can more than one light be hooked together?

    A: When you are using the chainable basecamp lights, you can hook them together. You can connect up to 10 chainable lights together.

     Q: How many lumens does the basecamp lights put out?

    A: The chainable lights put out 400 lumens and the USB lights put out 350 lumens. They have a 20-foot radius of light.

    Q: How long is the cable on these lights?

    A: Both the Chainable and the USB basecamp lights have 10-foot cables.

     


    12V Car Charger

     

     

    Q: Does the car need to be running while charging the Apex?

    A: Yes, the car should be running while charging the Apex. Otherwise, you may end up with a dead car battery.

    Q: What charging port does the car charger plug into?

    A: The car charger plugs into Port 1 on the Apex. The other end of the car charger will plug into the cigarette port in your vehicle. 

    Q: How long is the car charger cable?

    A: It is 6-foot long.

     

     

    Quick Wall Charger

     

    Q: How long does it take to charge the Apex with the Quick Wall Charger?

    A: It takes about 6 hours.

    Q: What are the specifications for this charger?

    A: The quick wall charger supplies 110V, 189 watts, 15 amps.

    Q: What connector is on the Apex Quick Wall Charger?

    A: The Apex quick wall charger has the EC8 connector which plugs into Port 2 on the Apex. 

     

     


    Want the learn more? Check out our Inergy Apex Solar Generator Buyer's Guide.