Skip to content
⚑ Free Shipping on All Orders | EV Chargers, Solar Generators & Backup Power
⚑ Free Shipping on All Orders

FAQ

Help Center

Get the Right Answer Before You Buy

Buyers spending $1,000–$10,000 on EV chargers, solar, and battery backup deserve real answers β€” not spec sheets.

⚑

EV Charger Questions

7 questions

Possibly β€” and this is the question most buyers skip entirely. A Level 2 home charger requires a dedicated 240V circuit drawing 30–50 amps. Under NEC Article 625, EV chargers are classified as continuous loads, which means the circuit must be sized to 125% of the charger's rated amperage.

Real cost alertPanel upgrades add $1,500–$3,500. In Massachusetts, a full service upgrade can reach $4,500–$6,000. Total installed cost: $800–$2,500 with a ready panel, $3,000–$5,000+ with panel work.

Before ordering, have your electrician perform a panel load calculation. Our Build Your System guide walks through this as Step 1.

β†’ Get installation guidance

32A (7.7kW): ~25–30 miles/hour. Fine for overnight charging under 60–70 miles/day.

40A (9.6kW): Most common residential choice. Charges most EVs full in 6–8 hours overnight.

48A (11.5kW): Fastest Level 2. Best for large-battery vehicles or two-EV households.

The wiring truth most installers don't volunteerYour charger's speed is set by your wiring. A 48A charger on undersized conductors charges at whatever the wire can safely carry. Long runs require a voltage drop calculation.
β†’ Browse EV Chargers

Yes, in most jurisdictions. A Level 2 charger involves new 240V electrical work, triggering permit requirements under most local building codes.

What happens without a permitAn unpermitted installation can void homeowner's insurance, complicate a home sale, and result in fines. A permit typically costs $100–$200 and protects a $1,000–$3,000+ investment.
β†’ Find a licensed installer

Level 1 (120V): ~5 miles/hour. No install required but too slow for most daily drivers.

Level 2 (240V): What we sell. 20–35+ miles/hour. Requires a dedicated circuit and professional installation.

DC Fast Charging: Commercial-grade. Requires three-phase power and utility approval β€” not practical for residential.

Yes. A grid-tied solar system earns net metering credits you use to charge at night. For direct solar-to-EV charging, you need a smart charger with EMS integration or a hybrid inverter + battery system.

β†’ Build your system

The most common mistake: planning for 4 ports instead of 40. Infrastructure decisions made today determine what it costs to scale later.

The decision that saves or costs tens of thousandsLoad management software lets more ports share a circuit. Make-ready conduit and wiring turns future expansion from a construction project into a plug-in.
β†’ View commercial chargers

A straightforward installation typically takes 2–4 hours. Add time for long wiring runs, panel upgrades, permit processing (1–5 business days), or trench runs for outdoor installations.

β˜€

Solar & Generator Questions

5 questions

Technically yes β€” but most refrigerators require 1,200–2,400 surge watts when the compressor starts. A generator must handle that surge, not just the running load.

The β€œruns a refrigerator” claim decodedRuntime on a single charge is typically 8–15 hours, not indefinitely. 1,800–2,000W is the practical minimum for one refrigerator.
β†’ Browse solar generators

Rated kWh is total capacity. Usable kWh is what you can actually draw. Depth of Discharge (80–90%) and inverter efficiency loss (5–15%) reduce the headline number. Always ask for usable kWh at rated DoD.

Not with a standard grid-tied system. Grid-tied inverters shut down when the grid fails β€” by regulation. Your panels generate but the inverter disconnects.

The outage surprise most solar homeowners don't know until it happensThe fix: a hybrid inverter + battery system with an automatic transfer switch.
β†’ See battery + inverter systems

Portable (1–5kWh): Best for short outages and select appliances. Not for central AC, electric dryers, or hardwired 240V loads.

Home battery system (5–40+ kWh): Whole-home or critical-circuit coverage for 24–72+ hours. Pairs with inverter + ATS for seamless grid-failure response.

β†’ Size your system

A 2kWh generator with 400W solar input recharges in roughly 1–1.5 days under 4–5 peak sun hours. In New England: 3.5–4.5 hours summer / 2–3 hours winter. Plan for solar as a supplement, not the only input.

πŸ”‹

Battery Backup Questions

5 questions

Start with a load calculation, not a product page. List critical loads, estimate daily kWh, define your target backup duration, then size battery + inverter to match.

The most common sizing mistakeA buyer gets a 10kWh system for β€œwhole home backup for 24 hours” β€” but fridge + sump + lighting + medical draws 2kW continuously. 24 hrs x 2kW = 48kWh. Load priority planning beats buying more capacity.
β†’ Size your battery system

β€œWhole home backup” means the battery can be connected to every circuit. How long it lasts depends entirely on your load profile.

Whole home backup is a connection option β€” not a capacity guaranteeA 10kWh battery running AC + water heater + oven lasts ~83 minutes. The same battery on critical circuits only lasts 12–20+ hours.

A standard inverter converts solar DC to AC and shuts off when the grid fails. No battery capability.

A hybrid inverter manages battery charge/discharge and operates in island mode during outages. Verify your current inverter is hybrid-capable before purchasing batteries.

Quality LiFePO4 systems are rated for 3,000–6,000+ cycles, typically 10–15+ years before capacity degrades to 80%. Manufacturer warranties on products we carry typically cover 10 years on battery capacity.

Yes. Battery systems involve high-voltage DC wiring, inverter interconnection, and automatic transfer switches. DIY installation voids warranties, violates utility agreements, and fails permit inspection.

β†’ Find a licensed installer
πŸ“¦

Ordering & Shipping Questions

4 questions

All orders ship free to the contiguous US. Smaller items ship via standard carrier. Larger items (battery racks, inverters, solar panels) ship via LTL freight with a scheduled delivery appointment.

Unused, uninstalled products in original packaging within 30 days. Installed products cannot be returned. Email support@chargeprodirect.com with your order number.

Yes. Financing is available at checkout for qualified buyers. For large commercial orders, email support@chargeprodirect.com.

Start with the Build Your System guide β€” 5 steps to the right configuration for your panel, load profile, and goals. Or email support@chargeprodirect.com for a straight answer.

Still have a question?

Straight answers β€” not a push to buy something wrong. Reach out before you order.