MNRon wrote:
Groover - You might be referring to a thread or two I had earlier this year regarding a Magnum 3012 hybrid inverter and AC. To summarize what I've learned:
1 - Magnum 3012 hybrid is GREAT for augmenting power when you're on 30A shore
2 - Magnum 3012 hybrid is a good, solid inverter
3 - Magnum 3012 will support heavy loads well, but extended drawing hundreds of amps WILL heat things up and shouldn't be done. A few minutes for a microwave, hair dryer, etc isn't an issue. The Magnum will easily start my AC (without soft-starts) but you pull hundreds of Amps and cabling etc heat up if you do that very long
4 - The issue I experienced with the Magnum and AC's was not when running from the inverter, or shore power, but the Magnum power-qualifing circuitry will not reliably pass through portable generator power because of the generator's inability to keep voltage up cleanly at AC start. By playing around with various settings etc I was able to fairly reliably power one 15k AC from a Westinghouse i4500 at about 5000 elevation when it was 100+ outside without a softstart. With that said, I've ordered a micro-air so that it's not so fussy in the future.
5 - Regarding the AC issue with pass-through power from a generator: Magnum's "best" advice on this is to use a generator at least twice the inverter capability (ie - 6.5k genny with a 3012 - NOT HELPFUL). My understanding is that the Victron unit has a 'lock out' setting you can use when just passing power through so that it's qualification circuitry doesn't get in the way, I don't have first hand knowledge on this though.
Depending on your usage, upgrading the Magnum may, or may not, be a good idea. I upgraded from a Magnum 2800 and am glad I did for the hybrid capability. I would NOT plan on running an AC from 12v power due to the high current load. The generator interaction issue has been frustrating, if I had to do it over I'd look hard at the Victron but am not sorry with the setup I have.
Thanks to you and several others for the good information.
The ability to run on a 30A (or less) circuit or even intermittently from the battery is what I am looking for. My coach has 6000W Onan inverter generator built in which I will crank up if I expect to need the air conditioner more than 20 minutes or so. I do already have a soft start on the air conditioner that I would be using. To run both AC units I would definitely crank the generator.
The Victron unit does not appear to be able to put out 3000W, especially in warmer weather. That would leave me a bit concerned.
Victron specs
