Best/most reliable inverter

[ctrout]

I'm investing in solar this season and I am shopping for a 2000w Pure sine inverter. I currently have 3 100w Renogy panels, 40a ppt controller and 2 12v 110ah agm batteries. The batteries haven't arrived yet and I will be adding one more before the season kicks off for a total capacity of 330ah. I may add another panel later but I'll wait on that until I see how things go this season first.

Anyway, with 330ah and 300w of charging I figure that if I feel like running a microwave for 15 minutes a day or other appliances, I can do that as long as I'm careful not to overdo it. The microwave is rated at 1350w so I figure that I'll need a 200w inverter to run it. I know that Renogy is a great company with excellent customer service and warranty because I've had experience in using both in the past. They sell a 2000w inverter that I am considering. I've also seen these available from companies like GoPower and Samlex that seem to get good reviews. They can each be found for around $400.

Which of these three brands would be the best or most reliable? Are there other manufacturers I should consider?

[ctrout]

I'm really leaning towards a Samlex SA2000 right now. All things considered, it seems to hit all the criteria at a price point that is tolerable. Speaking of price, I probably won't have it this season like I had hoped but I've lived without it for 44 years, one more season probably won't kill me.

[was_butnotnow]

Ordered new on our HitchHiker OEM in 09 a Magnum 2000W pure sine wave inverter/charger & the remote wall mounted controller. It has preformed well without a problem since then. Knock on Wood.

[Veebyes]

TheCabin wrote:
Veebyes,

Which controller do you have?

Thanks

The Magnum controller. Think there is only one. 5 years ago now.

[ctrout]

Thanks for the tip. $1200 for my solar startup kit and I'm a little light in the bank account right now but I'll definitely look him up after the wallet has recovered. I still have one more battery to purchase too.

[eb145]

You might want to call Randy at Best Converter and explain what you are looking for and how you want to use it. He would be able to recommend the inverter that he sells that meets your needs. Just be sure to give him details of your planned use.

He knows which products get returned more often under warranty so he has some objective data. And he seems to be a straight shooter when giving advice.

Ed

[eb145]

I bought this inverter and I am in the process of hooking it up to my system right now:

Samlex-PST-2000-12-Pure-Sine-Inverter at Best Converter $599

I hope it is reliable. I guess I'll know in a few years.

Ed

[ctrout]

2oldman wrote:

ctrout wrote:
Magnum Energy MS2012 Inverter 2920121 2000W 12VDC 120VAC Pure sine wave $1,719.20

Now you're being obtuse.

That's an inverter/charger. You said just an inverter.

Not trying to be. That was the first recommendation in this thread from another member. That's why I'm asking what price point brings a good reliable inverter without spending that kind of money. If someone in this thread hadn't recommended it, I wouldn't have brought it up.

[TheCabin]

Veebyes,

Which controller do you have?

Thanks

[pianotuna]

12th,

Xantrex will not repair ANY of their products. I did not keep the email they sent me.

I thing the Prowatt is a best bang for the buck.

12thgenusa wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
Prowatt is essentially a throw away because there are no parts available.

Do you have a basis for that statement?

Parts availability aside, unless one is able to do the repair himself, any sub $500 piece of electronic equipment is throwaway. The nice thing is one could throwaway three or four of them before he approached the price of some others. No it doesn't have a built in transfer switch and it doesn't double as a charger. But for what it is and does, it is hard to beat.

[Veebyes]

I don't recall the model number but if you are up to getting something good & don't mind paying for it you seem to be on the right track.

I have a Magnum 2000W pure sine wave inverter charger & the remote controler. Not cheap. The muti stage programable charger is very nice. No more cheap & nasty converter charger that most RVs come with.

[2oldman]

ctrout wrote:
Magnum Energy MS2012 Inverter 2920121 2000W 12VDC 120VAC Pure sine wave $1,719.20

Now you're being obtuse.

That's an inverter/charger. You said just an inverter.

[ctrout]

Magnum Energy MS2012 Inverter 2920121 2000W 12VDC 120VAC Pure sine wave $1,719.20

Not $2000+ but close enough. This is the 12v version of the one that someone posted on the first page of this thread as "the best" They posted a link to the 48v version with a $2200 price listed.

[2oldman]

ctrout wrote:
..is there really any sense in spending $2000+ for an inverter?

No. It's 2000 watts, not dollars!!

ctrout wrote:
The one that does these things at the lower price is the best.

Yep, 'best' is very subjective.

[ctrout]

I was mistaken on the Samlex. I was looking at the 24v models at just a hair over $500. The 12v one is $736.

So If I don't need the charger portion (which I don't) and I don't care about the transfer switch (which I don't) then is there really any sense in spending $2000+ for an inverter?

I guess I should have qualified the term "best." Best to me means, runs all of my stuff reliably, won't **** out after a season or three, won't kill any of my electronics. The one that does these things at the lower price is the best. Beyond what I have listed, what else does an inverter need to do? I guess I might pay a little extra for one that splits my kindling for me.