Inverter Advice

[the beak]

Hello. This is my first post on this excellent site.

I have purchased magnets and Hugh Piggot's plans and am waiting for various parts.

I have been on e-bay and have found many Vector, Coleman, and Xantrax inverters but can't find any info on the comparative quality of these brands.

Can anyone recommend a reliable brand or otherwise direct me to a reliable product?

I searched the site and heard one member describe 4 vector inverters breaking in as many months.Xantrax was mentioned as a better quality alternative. Wagener is also frequently mentioned.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Titantornado]

I been thinking of asking the same question regarding recommendations of what's good and which to avoid.  A google board search didn't turn up any threads covering the subject.

I was just waiting for the hostility to settle down.  :-)

[fred480v]

what size inverter are you looking at fred480v

[powerbuoy]

are you trying a grid tie?

[the beak]

Hello. I am looking at a Xantrax 1750W/3000 Peak. I hope its good because I've already won the bid.

I'm starting to wish I  hadn't bought it, even though it was $108 US.I am a newbie to all this and now its charge controllers that are bugging me.

How can I charge a 12V system  without wrecking it with something that puts out 600W at God knows what voltage?

The biggest charge controller I can find is 40 amp in which is fine, I could just set the generater to furl early.

But its also 40 amp out. What good is that? A toaster oven draws more than that through a 12V inverter. My microwave is 800W on medium etc etc.

Am I confused?

[inode buddha]

Hi,

The xantrex should do it well, its a good name as far as I know. "Outback" is another good one. The main thing is to be realistic about your energy consumption on an on-going basis, and select your equipment accordingly. The inverter you have could run a few rooms in my house without much trouble. Mostly all I use is a few light bulbs, a computer, a microwave, etc. Most people on this board make a very accurate measure of their energy needs, and then they try to do efficient things, such as compact fluorescent light bulbs, or they use LED light bulbs. I can personally recommend gas-fired demand heaters for a water heater. Also known as "tankless" water heaters. Anyway, once you have a good estimate and have conserved as much energy as possible, *then* you get into the windmills, solar, hydro, and etc. Er, just in my humble opinion that is a good plan.

[QUAZ HOLT]

Beak the, If you have not had experience with inverters you could try some real cheap ones. kanadian tyre has some and when they are on sale buy a few. I got 4 400w for 19.98 each, Canadian. These are ok for lighting and low power applications. Gives you some understanding of how inverters work and blow. Bill

[QUAZ HOLT]

Beak, The zan trax if it works will run all sorts of stuff. Not such a bad deal to see how they work. These type run at 12 volt. You will need to get ones that run at a higher voltage to solve the current problem. Wind your coils for 24 or 36 volt. You will need 24 volt or 36 volt battery bank also. A good dump load controller can handle the current. Bill

[srnoth]

Hey the beak,

I remember asking about this about a year ago, these are the threads:

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2005/1/2/232725/3289

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2005/1/4/22723/01264

Anyway, I have several AIMS inverters from invertersrus.com (75w, 400w and 800w), and all my experiences with them have been positive. They are relatively cheap, and the work very well. The only problem I have had with one of them is that after turning the 800w one on and off everyday for more than a year, the switch started to give trouble. But I'm good with a soldering wire so I just replaced it with a remote switch so now I can turn the inveter on/off from inside my house. It works great.

The Xantrax inverters seem to be pretty good too. How much did you pay for the one you won on ebay? As you are now starting out, I would by the more cheapy ones so if you do break them, it is not that bad ;-).

One brand I would avoid is Vector though, I have had terrible experiences with those. But then that may just be me.

Cheers,

Stephen.

[the beak]

Hi. No grid tie. If I understand you correctly, you mean generate power to add to the hydro grid. This will strictly be a remote power system for a camp  way way way in the woods of Northern Canada.

[powerbuoy]

Ah ... then I'll have no advice to offer. I would have recommended the SMA Sunnyboy if you do a grid tie.

Powerbuoy

[the beak]

108$ US. They sell the precise same product at Canadian Tire OEM for 299 Canadian$ so its well less than half price still new in the box.

A good deal if it serves well and long....