Inverters opinion-What you have used?

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Inverters opinion-What you have used?

Postby moose66 » Sun Mar 17, 2019 11:36 pm

Have been doing some searching for inverters and thought I would ask what are some that you have used and liked or didnt like.
Especially interested in finding budget freindly models. Personally I would like a 1500w pure sign wave that automatically switched when plugged into shore power that wasn't real pricey, but I dont see that happening. Maybe someone here can help.
Some things I never considered was how noisy some are and some have hard to find fuses.
Anyway would like to hear first hand on what you have, what items your using to power with it, is it pure or modified and what has and hasnt worked for you. Thanks
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Re: Inverters opinion-What you have used?

Postby John61CT » Mon Mar 18, 2019 11:16 am

Good inverters are pricey.

Magnum is the best, Vanner, Victron, MasterVolt, Sterling, Outback, ProMariner.

Samlex good value.

Best to just minimize their use, especially if running off batteries off grid.

If going cheap, just get the cheapest that will run that specific device / circuit, turn on off as needed.
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Re: Inverters opinion-What you have used?

Postby Aguyfromohio » Mon Mar 18, 2019 12:53 pm

John, do you have any opinion on the Aims Power Systems Pure Sine units?
We've already bought and installed a pair of them (2000 watt inverter/charger with transfer switch) and are full of hope they will work out long term, but are still finishing the builds and have only tested them and used them to charge the battery.

At $600 they seem like a good value. I hope that does not translate to "cheap junk. We have them over-sized, max expected load is only 800 watts continuous, 1200 watt peak. The things have a surge capacity of 300% to 6000 watts, they should be loafing along at part load and not highly stressed...
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Re: Inverters opinion-What you have used?

Postby moose66 » Mon Mar 18, 2019 1:39 pm

I'm trying to stay away from combo units.(charger and inverter). I did find a simple Aims 1200watt for around $170. It looks like maybe cheaper because not UL listed, not sure. My opinion is better to get a couple of smaller units and split the load if need be.
If your on the road and lose one at least your not dead in the water. Same idea of not having all in one units. Chances are with individual pieces you can come up with a way around to get by.
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Re: Inverters opinion-What you have used?

Postby John61CT » Tue Mar 19, 2019 5:10 pm

There is an endless continuum of quality.

Aims is nowhere near the top tier, but costs a small fraction.

95% of the even cheaper Chinese stuff is worse I'm sure.
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Re: Inverters opinion-What you have used?

Postby Aguyfromohio » Wed Mar 20, 2019 11:38 am

John61CT wrote:There is an endless continuum of quality.

Aims is nowhere near the top tier, but costs a small fraction.

95% of the even cheaper Chinese stuff is worse I'm sure.


Thanks John.
Not to hijack the thread, but you mention the Vanner units. I looked and see they are still selling the Bravo units. Many years ago I personally designed the sheet metal enclosure for those inverters and my partners designed the circuits and wrote the embedded firmware. My one partner was a virtuoso with FET transistors and the dark arts of switching power supply circuits, it's no surprise they are still selling.
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Re: Inverters opinion-What you have used?

Postby Shadow Catcher » Mon Mar 25, 2019 8:53 pm

I have two Morningstar Suresine Inverters 300W will surge to 600W no fan so quiet.
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Re: Inverters opinion-What you have used?

Postby John61CT » Tue Mar 26, 2019 7:01 am

Aguyfromohio wrote:
John61CT wrote:There is an endless continuum of quality.

Aims is nowhere near the top tier, but costs a small fraction.

95% of the even cheaper Chinese stuff is worse I'm sure.


Thanks John.
Not to hijack the thread, but you mention the Vanner units. I looked and see they are still selling the Bravo units. Many years ago I personally designed the sheet metal enclosure for those inverters and my partners designed the circuits and wrote the embedded firmware. My one partner was a virtuoso with FET transistors and the dark arts of switching power supply circuits, it's no surprise they are still selling.
Yes, I've picked up huge Vanner units up on eBay, mostly ex-first responder agencies.

For what seemed a lot at the time, but they'll likely go another twenty years.

Y'all did good work there.
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Re: Inverters opinion-What you have used?

Postby John61CT » Tue Mar 26, 2019 7:03 am

Yes Morningstar great, Tripplite too.
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