Pure sine or standard inverter

For most loads, the MSW is lower cost, and will work well.

The two exceptions are a laser printer that will not work from MSW power, and the microwave that can not work from MSW without damage to the microwave. I had to replace my microwave after running it from my Trace M1512 inverter for perhaps 10 minutes (a couple of minutes at a time). I would have been much better off using my built in Onan generator, it needs a little exercise every once in a while anyway, and the microwave is a great way to load it up.

So I would recommend staying with the 400 watt energy efficient MSW inverter. Larger loads should be run by the generator, unless you have a huge solar system, and 'want to'.

I am thinking about getting a 2 KW pure sine wave inverter, but really can not justify the cost. My Trace M1512 works great, is a 1996 model, and can run every receptacle in the RV. However it is not nearly as energy efficient as my portable 300 watt inverter. While watching TV, I can shut off the larger inverter, and start the smaller one. I will see total amperage drop from 7 amps to only about 5 amps, because the smaller one has much smaller capacitors to charge, and generally uses less power for say a 150 watt load.

Good luck,

Fred.

We lost two electric blankets to a square wave inverter. some heater controls do not like square wave.

we up graded to the new pure wave Magnum 2500 w makes a lot less noise, (Hummmmmm)

I been using inverters for 20 yrs, and have looked for a good reason to switch to PSW, and never did find one.

Hi,

The Cobra line of MSW is rated to run motors. That said PSW is just a bit better.

For a 1500 microwave a 2000 watt inverter would be best.

Running an inverter 'on the edge' of overload shortens their lifespan.

I think there are good MSW inverters and there are poor MSW inverters. The same is true for PSW. We use a Tripp lite 1250fc industrial inverter. It replaced a cheap 3000/6000w PSW inverter that started our 5000 BTU window air conditioner once and died. It also runs a microwave pulling 1375w, a hair dryer, coffee machine, cook top, even the little A/C. It also runs the TV, satellite and chargers much better than a cheap MSW unit did.

MSW have been around for a long time, the quality units can do a good job.

I've got no issues with MSW. Your electronics don't care - they convert the AC to DC to run it so they are good there. The heating element stuff (coffee pot) cares less - would run on DC if you got it.

Motors could be picky and some old electronics but I'd save the coin and go for MSW.

2000 watt Go Power sine wave is about $825
Well worth it IMO. Don't forget four batteries to drive it and a good charging system.

1500w should be fine. Just remember that no matter what, you'll likely have to choose which device you can run INDIVIDUALLY. Based on the items you mentioned, by themselves, your covered. As far as a pure signwave or not, that's kinda less of a requirement and more of personal choice. I chose the pure sign wave to remove any doubt that my power may not be clean enough or not. Kinda like keeping it simple. :-)

Final thought, I appreciate that most psw units also have fans.

1500 is a little small for the job you describe. A 2000 MSW would do it. I have no issues with MSW. The key is to get an inverter that is rated to run motors not just heaters. Then it will be able to run the microwave, which is something like a motor as seen by the microwave.