Inverter prices
I'm looking at a 2000w pure sine wave inverter and the prices are all over the map. Can anybody explain the difference between a $200 unit and a $1000 one? They all seem to have the same features...
Forum Discussion
mcewena wrote:From your examples, primarily the Samlex inverters (since they are a respected name brand)2oldman wrote:
There's no sense in paying more for the *same* thing, but that's almost never the case. YGWYPF.
A more expensive unit will have a quieter and thermostatic fan, pure-sine wave (not Msw), specs that are actually true (they will surge to twice their rating without blowing up), and have circuit boards that don't fail if they get a bit hot.
Should I keep going?
You can drive a Nova or a BMW. Either way, you'll get where you're going, at least for a while.
Yes but most sites don't give details on fan noise etc, nor can I tell build quality from a website, all claim a 4000 surge capability. I'm only looking at PSW/TSW, here's a good example of range from 1 company at random (although there's a couple of 3000w ones at the bottom): http://www.donrowe.com/category-s/1939.htm
I have an SSW Samlex. It will not hold the surge voltage for more than a millisecond and has a very noisy fan. Mine irritated me as it ran constantly.
The PST is an older model and is noted for it's reliability. When researching inverters, I found it was used in a lot of service vehicles (ambulances, crew trucks, etc) It will hold a surge voltage for at least a few seconds.
The SA is the heavy weight and I've forgotten how long it will hold the rated surge but it is probably in minutes.
My rule of thumb with unknown electronica is that the weight of the device can be an indicator. Heavier is usually better.
For the type of use you state and the price vs risk of failure, I'd aim at name brand inverters only. No mystery Asian E Bay inverters with pictures of girls in sailor suits.
