Harbor Freight inverters

[Otto]

Hello Guys, looking to see if anyone has any experience with the Harbor Freight (Chicago Electric) brand power inverters?

Thank you,

Otto

[ghurd]

I have seen a whole bunch that don't work.  Enough I would not buy one with a coupon.

eBay's "taddwholesale" almost alway has 2 or 3 lots of non-working Chicago Electric inveters for repair.  Item #270321654951 at the moment.  I will not speculate on where he gets so many, and such a steady flow.

Things like 'Fuse Not user-serviceable', very short warranty, and the continuous rating being a few minutes instead of (what I thought was continuous) make me wonder.

G-

[GlutealCleft]

Yeah.  I wouldn't use one.

If you watch, you can get good deals on decent inverters.  For a while, Costco carried the Xantrex XPower 1000 inverters (1kW sustained, 2kW surge) for, depending on when you bought them, $40 or $50.  And hey, Xantrex vs. Harbor Freight... it's an easy choice.

[fcfcfc]

Hi:

That "design" inverter was made by a company called TEAM PRODUCTS. They produced them for Harbor, Coleman, etc.. Team is out of business now (can not imagine why).

Bad design, basically junk.... allot still in the channel though...

.....Bill

[Opera House]

I wouldnt like paying retail for one, but I don't pay retail for anything.  I have bought quite a few of those HF units from TADD on ebay and the 2000/4000 watt unit is quite a favorite of mine. I consider the layout quite good and they are easy to repair. The only thing they seem to lack is enough spike protection on the output.  I would suggest is a RC network and a MOV.....That should be used on any inverter.  

[Jeff]

Guess I got lucky! My parents got me one 2 years ago along with their 45 watt solar kit. Both still working fine. The inverter is the 1200/3200 model, and I have the thermostat from the fridge hooked into the On-Off switch. So, it automatically comes on when the fridge needs to. I got lucky there too, my fridge starts easy on that inverter, but won't on a couple 1000 watt ones. This is even with the inverter running, and then plugging in the fridge!

[TheCasualTraveler]

     I have several HF inverters with no problems. I just picked up the little 60/100 watt inverter. It was on sale for $9.99 and with 20% off was $8. I use it in my truck for my cell phone and other chargers. Cheaper than the $30 12 Volt car charger from Verizon.

     McG, I would like to know the details of how you wired the fridge to have the inverter on demand. I'm sure it's not too difficult but I need to be able to look at the wiring drawn out to understand. I'd appreciate an email on how to do it along with the specs on the fridge, size, startup and running watts. Thanks,

[Opera House]

I use my HF 2000/4000 to run my fridge.  It draws over 90A on startup and wouldn't suggest using anything smaller.  Most of these inverters switch only the power of the control circuits.  One sidr is connected to 12V and the other powers the electronics.  Suggest only using a small relay for switching because this line also is the low voltage sense.

[Otto]

Do they Harbor Freight inverters have their cooling fan always running or does it run only when cooling is needed?

Thanks,

Otto

[jonas302]

mine seems to maybe be controlled by load once you pull a certain amount it seems to comeon intantly and stay on but not idling or drawing probly 250 watts

[Catch66]

I would like to know what Inverters of Medium price are of the best value.

I want to purchase 1 for electric motor start up on Home boiler circulating pump Taco.

In case power should ever leave the breaker box.

Thanks

Chuck