Inverter suggestions

[anm]

Anyone have a recommendation for a 1000 watt pure sine inverter, something that can be left on24/7? It won't be supplying 1000 watts 24/7, I just need that reserve capacity...

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Do you have, or do you plan to get, solar panels?

I bought a Samlex Inverter after reading Handy Bob's article on inverters:

https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/inverter-issues-spring-2013/

In short, most inverters stop working if the input is more than 15 - 15.5 volts.  These are referred to as "truck driver's inverters".

On a really good day, cool temperatures, clear skies, etc. solar panels can exceed that, in which case the inverter will shut off until the solar panels voltage drops.

A few inverters are designed so the high voltage cut off is at 16 - 16.5 volts, and those will keep right on working when the solar output is high. 

Here's a link to one that does that:

http://www.samlexamerica.com/products/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=501

 

[John61CT]

Victron, Magnum, Tripplite and Vanner.

Avoid Xantrex.

Very few devices aren't available in native DC these days, much more efficient to try to do without completely if possible.

Leaving a large inverter on will be a big vampire load.

Other way to go is little cheap ones per AC device, turn on as needed.

 

[speedhighway46]

Top of the line inverters? Xantrex; you'll never be disappointed. Check out their web site, and listings on eBay.

 

[Ballenxj]

Avoid Xantrex.

Curious why you say that? I have heard good reports about them.

 

[John61CT]

They make good product, but if something goes wrong after warranty, CS attitude is woeful. Below $2000 they just say toss it, no repairs.

 

[BradKW]

In short, most inverters stop working if the input is more than 15 - 15.5 volts.  These are referred to as "truck driver's inverters".

On a really good day, cool temperatures, clear skies, etc. solar panels can exceed that, in which case the inverter will shut off until the solar panels voltage drops.

A few inverters are designed so the high voltage cut off is at 16 - 16.5 volts, and those will keep right on working when the solar output is high. 

I believe that referring to these as "Truck Driver inverters" is either incorrect, or there is a dual use of the phrase out there that could be very misleading.

I say this because in my pre-purchase research, I came across multiple examples of people posting negative reviews for two company's inverters (GoPower and I forget the other one) due to them shutting down when voltage dropped to something like 12.2v which is still about 70% charged. There was even an in depth YouTube review that had this problem.

Turned out that these people purchased the inverters through resellers (such as ebay), and they received what both companies referred to as "Truck Driver models". These are units designed specifically for OTR use and have the auto shut-off raised to prevent battery drain if the truck is not running. GoPower actually replaced the units at no charge for these people.

It's one of the reasons I ended up deciding on GoPower for my inverter...the deeper I dug into reviews, the more impressed I became with the company and it's customer service. As for top end shut-off protection, my (24v) 3000w unit has this and it's set at 30v. My solar often gets up close to that, enough that the overvoltage blinker on unit is active, however the remote doesn't indicate this. I emailed GoPower to ask what was happening and if I should be concerned. I received a detailed response the following day that invited me to contact him personally if I had any more questions.

 

[akrvbob]

I have a 2000 watt Xantrex ProWatt that has been used daily and run my microwave hundreds of times over the last 5 years. For under $400 it is very highly recommended!! They make it in a 600 watt and 1000 watt version.

Be aware that most Pure Sine Waves use more amps on standby so find out the standby draw before you buy. They can go as high as 2 amps per hour and that's 48 amps per day just wasted.

 

[John61CT]

Outback and ProMariner have good rep also

 

[caretaker]

john, i don't think outback makes a 1000w,we have twin 3500w outbacks and they are great. i think if i was gonna get a 1000w psw i would get a magnum. from what I've been reading xantrex were good until they moved prod. to china, been reading not good stuff about them. have had xantrexes, both failed with in 3 years,both were mariner inverter/chargers each were 1000psw, they said to throw them away,,,wouldn't buy again.

 

[Ballenxj]

I've been reading xantrex were good until they moved prod. to china, been reading not good stuff about them. 

Ah, that explains a lot.
 How about Out Back inverters? I was told an interesting story about them being ex employees of Xantrex that literally moved their production into a building "out back" from Xantrex back in the day. I also heard they were an improvement over Xantrex. I've been out of this game so long that I don't know who's on first, or what's on second anymore.

 

[John61CT]

Don't think Xantrex product is bad, China or not. It's just bad CS attitude.

So don't buy new, I got a perfect 1055 on eBay for $60. Just accept when it dies it dies.

 

[caretaker]

B, its the magnum guys who did that, they saw how bad the prod. was and went out on their own, i haven't owned one, but from what I've read if i wanted a 1000 psw there the one i would buy. John i think the reason they tell you to throw them away is because they are heavy as far as shipping is concerned by the time its all said and done you might as well buy new for a few $$ more, just a guess, how ever that being said the chinese ones are not near as good as the old ones, personal exp. on that one

 

[John61CT]

B, its the magnum guys who did that, they saw how bad the prod. was and went out on their own, i haven't owned one, but from what I've read if i wanted a 1000 psw there the one i would buy. John i think the reason they tell you to throw them away is because they are heavy as far as shipping is concerned by the time its all said and done you might as well buy new for a few $$ more, just a guess, how ever that being said the chinese ones are not near as good as the old ones, personal exp. on that one

Yes Magnum's reputation is top notch, but they do charge a premium.

Not sure if Samlex came up, they seem pretty solid value in the lower-priced segment, and if QS wave is OK they're downright cheap at lower power ranges.

wrt Xantrex, I canvassed independent authorized repair centers, was happy to pay shipping costs, but even those very willing to help, were just unable to get spare parts from the mothership.

They said things are better with the multiple-thousand dollar marine combi units, but reading between the lines, they were telling me to go with other marques.

 

[caretaker]

J, yeah your right, as far as samlex goes, i have no personal exp.

 

[IGBT]

We have a Magnum 4kW MSH4024 24 volt input inverter/charger in our living pod and a 1kW Magnum MMS1012 12V input inverter/charger in our garage pod.  Both have been left on for about two years straight with never a power cycle or reset.   They are both pure sine, come with a temperature sensor and cable to monitor the battery and pretty much are just great.

Currently we have been building a shed on our property and the MSH4024 has been running our air conditioner at the same time it powers our chop saw cutting 2x4.   No complaint from it or even a hesitation.   Of course that is 4kW, but the little 1kW MMS1012 in the garage pod is able to start a shop vac.

I think the MSH4024 was about $1700 online and the MMS1012 I found for around $700 online.

 

[MikeRuth]

Could you elaborate on what your feeding these inverters with? 4KW is some serious power from an inverter

 

[IGBT]

Could you elaborate on what your feeding these inverters with? 4KW is some serious power from an inverter

Two 12V Lifeline 125AH AGM wired in series (so 24V at 125AH).

Way too small of a battery system but when the sun is out, our 1100 watts of solar produces about 35 amps at 24V such that the battery load running a microwave or chop saw isn't too bad.   I think the microwave draws about 65 amps total so when the sun is shining the batteries provide about 30 of those amps.

I did use 00 gauge wire with the distance from battery to inverter less than 2 feet.  It can probably pull a couple hundred amps for a few minutes.

I run the coffee maker (900 watts) in the morning and it pulls 44 amps and drops the batteries from about 78% to 73% (78% is the usual capacity left when we wake up after playing nintendo until 10pm then the fridge running all night).

I have yet to run anything at the full 4kW though.

 

[John61CT]

Just note when sizing that lower % capacity is also less efficient.

So not only save a lot up-front investment, getting a small inverter per AC appliance draws less total power.

Keeping a big inverter on standby all the time would be a decent load by itself too, best to switch on as needed.

Excess solar power can make those issues go away.

MMS1012 for <$300!!

https://www.walmart.com/product/35929924/sellers

 

[abnorm]

^^^^^^^^
Something is wrong with that Walmart listing.............the product photo does not match a genuine MMS 1012 at 3x the price (different switches and missing molded MagnaSine logo)...........Walmart lists the product # as ME-AGS-S.............the product weight is off by half

The low priced reseller Neobits has bad reviews about correct products shipped

doug