Solar's done

Hi SMK,

My bias was to stand alone inverters and stand alone chargers.

I can assure you that the Magnum hybrid does not require shore or generator power to power the RV.

In fact, it is possible to "force" it to do not just load support, but voltage support. That means that big solar is even more needed as doing so causes my solar to run when the batteries are charged. It was cute to see the inverter grabbing 12 amps from the battery bank, and the solar putting in 13 amps.

As to 15 amp shore power--the vast majority of the time I am using that.

At the campground that I was at, the thirty amp service could not support the voltage for just the roof air, so again my solar was running flat out--this time at 17.2 amps. I was also drawing a total of up to 60 amps from the battery bank. Again if I had the solar you have, I would have been using every bit of it.

smkettner wrote:
Trouble with the hybrid is you need a generator or utility power and then it makes the big solar less needed. So it depends on your style if the extra features are worth it.

My GP2000SW is working great BTW.

dons2346 wrote:

smkettner wrote:
Trouble with the hybrid is you need a generator or utility power and then it makes the big solar less needed. So it depends on your style if the extra features are worth it.

My GP2000SW is working great BTW.

I don't understand your reasoning. If you have a generator or shore power, you do not need an inverter period.

I have the 3000 ME hybrid and use it in times of 15 amp power. It will supplement the low amperage shore power with the battery bank,that is what it was designed to do. It will also put out 125 amps of charging current also even with the 15 amp shore power. Great unit.

I am glad that works for you. Many are installing solar to be away from generators and utility power.

You seem to have found an exception to your own statement. Not sure how often people find 15 amp service but that inverter definitely helps if wanting to run the air conditioner on a low power source. I believe more of an exception for most people.

dons2346 wrote:
I would like to see the wave form on that Go Power suggested inverter. Even if they claim it to be pure sine wave, could have a bunch of spikes on it because of the poor filtering

GoPower specification <3% THD
Magnum specification <5% THD

Colo Native:

What brand are your panels? .....they look like SolarWorld.

smkettner wrote:
Trouble with the hybrid is you need a generator or utility power and then it makes the big solar less needed. So it depends on your style if the extra features are worth it.

My GP2000SW is working great BTW.

I don't understand your reasoning. If you have a generator or shore power, you do not need an inverter period.

I have the 3000 ME hybrid and use it in times of 15 amp power. It will supplement the low amperage shore power with the battery bank,that is what it was designed to do. It will also put out 125 amps of charging current also even with the 15 amp shore power. Great unit.

I would like to see the wave form on that Go Power suggested inverter. Even if they claim it to be pure sine wave, could have a bunch of spikes on it because of the poor filtering

Trouble with the hybrid is you need a generator or utility power and then it makes the big solar less needed. So it depends on your style if the extra features are worth it.

My GP2000SW is working great BTW.

dons2346 wrote:

Colo Native wrote:

Shadow Catcher wrote:
My vote Magnum Inverter Get the pure sine wave.

I have looked at them I like the Hybrid but its 3000w and I really only need 2000w

Look at iMarine as they are the cheapest place for Magnum inverters. You can get the 3000 hybrid for not much more money here than you can get a 2000 somewhere else

Get the Hybrid system. I would not think twice about. The Go Power unit mentioned above is not even close to the performance you will get from the MSH 3012.

I have a MS 2812 and it runs everything I have in my hauler, A/C even. The highest amp draw draw is my Panasonic 1200 watt Inverter Microwave Oven at just over 200 amps DC. The big inverters handle those kind of loads so much better.

On my Wish List is a MSH 3012.

I just finished a lengthy inverter shopping, researching, reading reviews, etc...and ended up choosing a 3k Go Power!

While my build was still in planning stages, I was certain I'd go with Magnum who's quality and reputation seems as solid as it gets. However, my solar grew into a 1000 watt beast that will stand a fair shot at running off-grid AC when complete...and I found myself shopping in the 3000 watt pure sine inverters. And that essentially put Magnum outside what I was willing to spend.

After all the research, what really tipped it to GoPower was that anywhere reviews were posted and someone had a problem or negative experience, the GoPower support team always posted a reply seeking to help. Most proactive support teams I've seen, regardless of product.

Unfortunately it's not in use yet so I can't give you a review, just thought I'd share my shopping experience...

Colo Native wrote:

Shadow Catcher wrote:
My vote Magnum Inverter Get the pure sine wave.

I have looked at them I like the Hybrid but its 3000w and I really only need 2000w

Look at iMarine as they are the cheapest place for Magnum inverters. You can get the 3000 hybrid for not much more money here than you can get a 2000 somewhere else

Shadow Catcher wrote:
My vote Magnum Inverter Get the pure sine wave.

I have looked at them I like the Hybrid but its 3000w and I really only need 2000w