Pure Sine Wave Inverters best quality manufacturers?

Pure Sine Wave (PSW) Inverters fall into 2 different categories; high voltage/high frequency and low voltage/low frequency.

The high voltage type has two sections. The first section s converts the incoming DC into a high voltage, high frequency AC square wave. They use MOSFET transistors and smaller transformers. This is then converted back to high voltage DC (close to 200V). This is then sent to the final stage where it is convert into 120V AC. These tend to be less expensive, because they use smaller transformers (less iron, less copper).

The low voltage and low frequency inverters convert the incoming DC directly into low voltage AC. This is then feed to a large transformer (these look like a big donut).

The first style tend to be less expensive, but for reasons I do not understand, these tend to have more failures, especially for high power inverters (>1500W).

The interesting footnote is a Chinese semiconductor company invent a single chip that does the hard work of making the AC signal in BOTH styles of inverters. This part is CHEAP !

Actually, most of the parts inside of an inverter are not that expensive except for the transformer(s) and the heat sinks and case. "Good" MOSFET transistors are less than $2 in quantity. The "best" maybe >$10 and do make for a slightly more efficient inverter. There are eBay seller who are selling all the parts your need, minus the transformer and case and wiring for a 2000W invert for <$100 !

The point I am trying to make is, I think some of the "brand name" inverters out there are grossly over-charging because of their name or because they are using designs that are >10 years old.

Anything <1000W is fairly "light duty" so going with a cheaper one is probably a risk worth taking.

WZRELB Reliable Power Inverter 800W Amazon $136

JimK-NY wrote:
What are you planning on running with this pure sine wave inverter?

Mostly the same stuff we were running off the Modified, small electronics (TV, roku, laptops, low load stuff) and the 2-way fridge while driving (We have a whole change over circuit that switches a block of outlets between the short power outlet and the inverter circuit.

The original inverter was a 400watt, and did the job well, and the fridge that it was powering is now in the new camper, so the work load will be the same, but I want to clean up the power as the new camper has built in USB charge ports in the outlets by the dinette and I wanted to make sure we didn't damage small devices by continuing to use a modified type.

Let us know when you get to that point and I’ll have some recommendations.

What are you planning on running with this pure sine wave inverter?