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Kountryguy's avatar
Kountryguy
Explorer
Jul 30, 2015

Samlex Power Inverter

I purchased a Samlex SSW-1000-12A Inverter.I purchased this unit to operate a small freezer in my RV while traveling. I had been using a 600 watt MSW inverter. I had been reading that a Pure Sine would be much better for the freezer and any other appliances I may want to run. The freezer draws 75 watts while running. The first time I tried plugging the freezer in, it tripped the ground fault. I have on a couple of occasions, been able to get to power the freezer, and once started, it cycles on and off as it should. I called Samlex and was advised that that is perfectly normal. I should have purchased at least a 1500 but still no guarantee. I believe that should be clearly pointed out in their description. In the owners manual it says to figure about 5 times the operating wattage. Tech support stated that is for commercial units, residential units could be 10 times. Even doing the math that way, I am still within the rating. I would not recommend this unit.
If anyone has any suggestions on how I might improve this situation, I would like to hear them.

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  • Kountryguy's avatar
    Kountryguy
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2015
    MrWizard,
    The 600 watt MSW one that I had, worked fine. This pure sine is 1000 watt. No matter how I figure it, It should be enough to start it. I got it to start it this AM and it is still cycling on and off as it should. If it works sometimes, I don't know why it doesn't other times. If anything, the input voltage is lower now than when I started it.
    The other thing I have not mentioned is the fact that it states 2000 surge wattage. In my opinion, that should be enough for a 75 watt load.
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Jul 30, 2015
    Before giving up, you could try it with fatter wire gauge to the battery. On the GFCI thing, if it has a chassis ground you could try it with that or if you already have that connected, try it without it. Some inverters have their receptacle grounds mixed in with their chassis grounds.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Jul 30, 2015
    Kountryguy
    you did not mention how much battery capacity you have
    or
    the inverter wiring and mounting conditions
    not enough battery bank or too small/long a wiring run, will dramatically affect an inverter

    i also agree, 600w is NOT big enough, most inverters do not have enough
    transformer aka "magnetic mass" to supply the start up surge of a compressor LRA

    my fridge only needs 90~100w to run, but i have measured 900w start up spikes
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2015
    My only suggestion is to upsize the inverter and get a different brand.
    I had a similar issue with a 600w Samlex inverter. IT would not handle the locked rotor draw of a small fridge. I replaced it with a Xantrex 1000w and the Xantrex doesn't flinch.

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