Magnum CSW1012 vs Xantrex ProWatt SW1000

Hi Magnum can be repaired Xantrex is a throw away.

What do you plan to run?

pianotuna wrote:
What do you plan to run?

We use an electric blanket for an hour or so a night in the winter (160w per side), hence the need for a PSW. If it works, the biggest load would be my brides hair drier on medium, which the readywatt says is 750w. The blanket is the real reason for an inverter, tried a MSW but the blanket controller got very hot.

I've had excellent, 10yr. service from Magnum...and as someone said, repairable.

Xantrex is into sales, not service.

1000 watts is too big, and too small. Too big when running the electric blanket and too small when running the hair drier.

pianotuna wrote:
1000 watts is too big, and too small. Too big when running the electric blanket and too small when running the hair drier.

IMO a 1000 watt PSW is "just right" ;) ... sufficiently large to serve as a universal power source to run a small coffee maker, toaster, wife's hair dryer on low or medium, fans, etc, etc. A 1K would typically draw no more than ~ 80 amp max, in which case moderately sized 4 gauge cable can be used to wire it to a pair of GC-2 or G31 batteries, which in turn would offer sufficient reserve to effectively power the inverter. Whether using solar or a genset 2 batts of this capacity will be quicker to recharge than a much larger bank of 4 or even 6. Go with a larger inverter and the ball game changes entirely - much larger battery reserve required, much heavier cable needed for wiring it in, more recharge capability needed. For some it may be worth the investment but for me a 1000 watt is "just right". :)

pianotuna wrote:
1000 watts is too big, and too small. Too big when running the electric blanket and too small when running the hair drier.

X2, there are probably better choices but that is in the eye of the beholder.

I use a Xantrex Prowatt 1000 and find it to be a good device. One of it's better qualities is that the fan is basically silent. I use it to power a small 120V fridge and all my 120V entertainment gear.

pianotuna wrote:
1000 watts is too big, and too small. Too big when running the electric blanket and too small when running the hair drier.

If I could have found a decent 1200w'er I'd go that route. The couple I did find are out of my price bracket, just aren't many available. A 1500 is too big. Will see what happens with the hair dryer, if it doesn't fly it's not a big deal. More chance of it working with the 1000w Magnum then the 900w Xantrex.

Thanks all for the advise, ordered the Magnum.

I don't understand why a 1500 watt inverter is to big? if you have a 1.5 kw inverter you don't HAVE to use 1.5kw it will still work on a 1kw load.
my truck has a 120 mph speedometer I don't drive 120 mph.