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otrfun's avatar
otrfun
Explorer II
Jul 29, 2013

600w or 1000/1500w Inverter?

Debating whether to purchase a 600 or 1000/1500 watt PSW inverter. Right now I only have one battery and have no immediate plans to do any extensive dry camping. My plan (for the inverter) is to primarily power my laptop and small flat-screen TV when I'm on the move from point A to B for a few days at a time every now and then.

1. Outside of not being able to power a coffee maker and/or a smaller, low-power microwave, are there any other limitations I may not be aware of by going with the 600 watt inverter?

2. It seems Sunforce offers the best value in PSW inverters. Amazingly, on Amazon, their 1000 watt PSW inverter costs about the same as their 650 watt PSW inverter, approx. $180. However, Power Bright seems to have the best reviews (reliability, performance) for the money. Their 600 watt PSW inverter goes for $170, their 1000 watt PSW approx. $280. Are there other lower priced, good quality PSW inverters I should be considering?

Thanks!

26 Replies

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  • mlts22's avatar
    mlts22
    Explorer II
    Jul 29, 2013
    I've wondered about using multiple low-wattage inverters. That way, the overhead of them when they are both in use and sitting idle would be less. For example, the biggest use I would be doing would be a circuit for charging my laptop, tablet, e-reader, and phone. If I wanted the A/C or the microwave, that's when the generator comes on.
  • Matt_Colie's avatar
    Matt_Colie
    Explorer II
    Jul 29, 2013
    You will wind up using all the inverter you have, but the real limit is how much battery you want to drag around. A 1K inverter needs at least a pair of GC-2s or 4D. If you have the room and don't mind 175# of battery (and the care a feeding there of), go with larger. But, the larger inverters eat more even when your not using all the power that they can manage.

    I have this discussion with yacht owners regularly.

    Matt
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Jul 29, 2013
    150w/300w max. 300w or less will allow the use of existing battery connection. The 600w/1500w is larger than needed especially with a single battery and infrequent use. GoPower has about the lowest idle draw in this range. Also has a provision for a remote power switch.
  • mena661's avatar
    mena661
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2013
    I agree with RJ. 300W is good for everything outside of a MW. I have a Go Power 300W PSW unit. Morningstar 300W PSW is a great choice too.
  • RJsfishin's avatar
    RJsfishin
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2013
    I won't speak for brands, but I sure they all have a warrany.

    But I don't know why I'd buy a 1,000 watt.
    A 3-400 watt will do all you want.
    And personally I don't know why I'd spend a nickel more for a PSW.
    I do everything you do, and a lot more and did it for 30 yrs on MSW w/o a single problem

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