Forum Discussion

Padlin's avatar
Padlin
Explorer
Mar 10, 2017

Magnum CSW1012 vs Xantrex ProWatt SW1000

Been looking at the Magnum CSW1012 but can't find much for reviews on it. I like how it outputs 1000w continuous vs the Prowatt at 900w continuous, it's also a little smaller and lighter but cost $75 more. I have a pretty small trailer so size matters.

Does anyone have an opinion on the Magnum?

Magnum CSW1012

Xantrex
  • Hi Mr Wizard,

    The inrush to charge the capacitors on the Inverter. Zero load or perhaps 50 watts for a laptop.

    MrWizard wrote:
    at what load, how many watts ? what item/device

    you don't normally have an inrush on say an electric heating element
    but you would on a large fan or say a small compressor fridge
    my fridge draws 90>100 running, but has a 900w surge, almost 70 amps
  • if your only running a laptop, i don't think you would ever have a problem, but then you don't 1000w

    be simpler to use a laptop 12cdc converter supply, to use up front for the laptop
  • Hi Mr Wizard,

    3 different laptops--one at a time
    a 50 watt heating pad
    cell phone charger(s).

    While I agree the 12cdc converters are nice--I already have the 1000 watt inverter. I currently store it as an emergency back up. It will run my NuWave induction cooker at 3/4 power. (Not from cig lighter, of course)
  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    I think Don asked about 1000W inrush for that Canadian Motomaster aka rebranded Prowatt 1000 that sells for CAD 320, occasionally CAD 120?

    It does say "2000W surge", God knows how long your surge will be. Not a good choice for the OP. It has 900W continuous, close to the limit of hairdrier on Medium. What puzzles me is that Can Tire lists it as 1000W "total combined" for two receptacles. Each receptacle supports 450W continuous? or 900W?
  • Almot wrote:
    I think Don asked about 1000W inrush for that Canadian Motomaster aka rebranded Prowatt 1000 that sells for CAD 320, occasionally CAD 120?


    Contrary to popular repeated and incorrect opinion the Motomaster branded 1000 watt PSW inverter sold at Canadian Tire for the last several years is not an Xantrex but rather NPower, sold in the US at Northern Tool. This inverter for several years was regularly priced at $299.99 Cdn but would go on sale several times a year in typical Cdn Tire fashion for $199.99, which is what I purchased mine for. Current stock is advertised for $319.99 but typically goes on sale several times a year for ~ $100 less. Those wanting one should grab one next time they go on sale as it looks like NPower is is discontinuing this particular model (the only PSW inverter sold to date by Cdn Tire) and may be replacing it with a larger 1800 watt PSW model which will no doubt be more costly.



    This rebranded NPower inverter has two 15 amp receptacles for convenience and I've had no difficulty drawing full rated power from either. If I compare the NPower Owner's Manual to that supplied with my Motomaster branded unit it's virtually a clone. I installed mine for those few times each season we lose campsite shore power, allowing us to use our 750 watt toaster, 550 watt coffee maker, wife's hair dryer (on LOW), a couple of fans, etc, and for this purpose it works just fine despite all the second guessing from those who don't own one themselves and are too quick to judge based on what they don't really know about this inverter. :R No one would claim this is the "best" in a PSW inverter but for those of us here in Canada it represents by far the best deal in a moderately priced PSW inverter of any size. :B
  • Almot wrote:
    Don, did you blow a fuse in the 400W inverter (with 800W load) or in the cig receptacle?


    I had a cig plug with built in 3A fuse. The device it supplied went bonkers, didn't blow the fuse but did melt the plug so it ended up disconnected. Added insurance?
  • Don you want to run a 100w maybe more, i dont know what the capacitor charge current is for an inverter, and i don't have the equipment that would measure it

    all i can say is buy some spare fuses

    then try plugging it into the cig plug, do this with engine OFF and the voltage should be lower making for a slightly lower capacitor in rush
  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    brulaz wrote:
    I had a cig plug with built in 3A fuse. The device it supplied went bonkers, didn't blow the fuse but did melt the plug so it ended up disconnected. Added insurance?

    30-40W is "enough" to melt a plastic given a time and proper contact surface. Cig receptacles are usually fused to at least 10A. The device plug can have a smaller fuse to protect a small device like phone charger.
  • SoundGuy wrote:
    Almot wrote:
    I think Don asked about 1000W inrush for that Canadian Motomaster aka rebranded Prowatt 1000 that sells for CAD 320, occasionally CAD 120?


    Contrary to popular repeated and incorrect opinion the Motomaster branded 1000 watt PSW inverter sold at Canadian Tire for the last several years is not an Xantrex but rather NPower, sold in the US at Northern Tool. This inverter for several years was regularly priced at $299.99 Cdn but would go on sale several times a year in typical Cdn Tire fashion for $199.99, which is what I purchased mine for. Current stock is advertised for $319.99 but typically goes on sale several times a year for ~ $100 less. Those wanting one should grab one next time they go on sale as it looks like NPower is is discontinuing this particular model (the only PSW inverter sold to date by Cdn Tire) and may be replacing it with a larger 1800 watt PSW model which will no doubt be more costly.



    This rebranded NPower inverter has two 15 amp receptacles for convenience and I've had no difficulty drawing full rated power from either. If I compare the NPower Owner's Manual to that supplied with my Motomaster branded unit it's virtually a clone. I installed mine for those few times each season we lose campsite shore power, allowing us to use our 750 watt toaster, 550 watt coffee maker, wife's hair dryer (on LOW), a couple of fans, etc, and for this purpose it works just fine despite all the second guessing from those who don't own one themselves and are too quick to judge based on what they don't really know about this inverter. :R No one would claim this is the "best" in a PSW inverter but for those of us here in Canada it represents by far the best deal in a moderately priced PSW inverter of any size. :B

    What he said. I have one.
    I like the my coffee and toast too.
    Seasonal boondocking for 3 years with this inverter and 2x6 volt Trojans.
  • Byrogie wrote:
    SoundGuy wrote:
    Almot wrote:
    I think Don asked about 1000W inrush for that Canadian Motomaster aka rebranded Prowatt 1000 that sells for CAD 320, occasionally CAD 120?


    Contrary to popular repeated and incorrect opinion the Motomaster branded 1000 watt PSW inverter sold at Canadian Tire for the last several years is not an Xantrex but rather NPower, sold in the US at Northern Tool. This inverter for several years was regularly priced at $299.99 Cdn but would go on sale several times a year in typical Cdn Tire fashion for $199.99, which is what I purchased mine for. Current stock is advertised for $319.99 but typically goes on sale several times a year for ~ $100 less. Those wanting one should grab one next time they go on sale as it looks like NPower is is discontinuing this particular model (the only PSW inverter sold to date by Cdn Tire) and may be replacing it with a larger 1800 watt PSW model which will no doubt be more costly.



    This rebranded NPower inverter has two 15 amp receptacles for convenience and I've had no difficulty drawing full rated power from either. If I compare the NPower Owner's Manual to that supplied with my Motomaster branded unit it's virtually a clone. I installed mine for those few times each season we lose campsite shore power, allowing us to use our 750 watt toaster, 550 watt coffee maker, wife's hair dryer (on LOW), a couple of fans, etc, and for this purpose it works just fine despite all the second guessing from those who don't own one themselves and are too quick to judge based on what they don't really know about this inverter. :R No one would claim this is the "best" in a PSW inverter but for those of us here in Canada it represents by far the best deal in a moderately priced PSW inverter of any size. :B

    What he said. I have one.
    I like the my coffee and toast too.
    Seasonal boondocking for 3 years with this inverter and 2x6 volt Trojans.


    I have had this unit for 5+ years and can recommend it. I have abused it by running a 700 watt microwave with it for 2 minutes several times and once even started up my 7000 btu Dometic Briskair air conditioner, didn't run it long (just to see if it could do it).

    The features I like about it is, it is silent until approx. 600 watts then a variable speed fan comes on after the unit heats up. My neighbor bought one approx. 3 years ago it acts a little different, the fan starts at around 300 to 400 watts. The other thing I like about it is doesn't require any more standby amps than smaller units at .36 amps., the price isn't much more than smaller units (I paid $169.00), might as well have a larger inverter.