[RE-wrenches] Reliable Cheap Modsine Inverter

Jesse Dahl dahlsolar at gmail.com
Wed Mar 13 11:57:27 PDT 2013


The point Dan makes about boxes and strain reliefs is a big second for me. I actually do many of this type of systems each year. 

Jesse 

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 13, 2013, at 12:57 PM, Dan Fink <danbob88 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Bob; agreed!
> 
> And to add to your 24v issue from my own Morningstar SureSine wish list....
> 
> Some sort of "power panel" type box, but deep,  that houses the
> SureSine inside with easy mounting of the inverter, secure strain
> relief on everything especially the DC input wires, DIN rail for PV
> input DC and 120vac breakers, and Main DC breaker, which doesn't have
> to be huge, and an outdoor rated box as an option.
> 
> The Midnite MiniDC w/ 125 amp Dc main works fine electrically, but I
> want the SureSine *inside* an enclosure. The groovy input lugs up to
> #2AWG on the sure sine work fine, but there's no strain relief. No
> idea where to get deep, esoteric grey boxes with knockouts cheap. ANd
> have to drill and tap our own holes, etc
> 
> Midnite Solar, APRS World, are you listening? Not that tiny off-grid
> systems are a huge market or anything. But I bet we could deploy a few
> SureSine-in-a-box systems. We end up having to screw system components
> to a plywood square and shrink wrap them so no wires get pulled out of
> their lugs during helicopter or raft transport. Much better to have
> everything in one secure box.
> 
> Dan Fink,
> Executive Director;
> Otherpower
> Buckville Energy Consulting
> Buckville Publications LLC
> NABCEP / IREC accredited Continuing Education Providers
> 970.672.4342
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Wed, Mar 13, 2013 at 11:07 AM, bob ellison <reellison at gmail.com> wrote:
>> I can second the Morningstar SureSine, it just works! To bad it is not
>> available in 24 volts. I keep hoping.
>> 
>> Bob Ellison
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
>> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Dan Fink
>> Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 12:28 PM
>> To: RE-wrenches
>> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Reliable Cheap Modsine Inverter
>> 
>> Ray;
>> 
>> Keep in mind that with truck stop inverters, everything *must* be plugged
>> into the front 120vac outlets on the inverter. You can use a power strip,
>> but can NOT run a wire to a breaker box. The ground/neutral bond will fry
>> most of these inverters, and you could see some significant leakage on the
>> ground line.
>> 
>> The only brand I've had decent luck with is Xantrex ProWatt. The rest have
>> all fried fairly quickly for various reasons.
>> 
>> Personally I'd go straight for a MorningStar SureSine, and a small breaker
>> box. These are awesome little inverters at 300W continuous. No fan, no
>> hassle, they just sit there and work, for years.
>> 
>> 
>> Dan Fink,
>> Executive Director;
>> Otherpower
>> Buckville Energy Consulting
>> Buckville Publications LLC
>> NABCEP / IREC accredited Continuing Education Providers
>> 970.672.4342
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On Wed, Mar 13, 2013 at 10:01 AM, Ray Walters <ray at solarray.com> wrote:
>>> Hi Guys;
>>> 
>>> I have a project that will need multiple small battery based inverters.
>>> Each one will only be running a 100 w max. computer power supply, so
>>> there are no significant surges, and modsine will be fine  (most small
>>> UPS systems only put out modsine)  Avg load will be 20 watts.
>>> I know these little devils are sold everywhere from Walmart to
>>> Autozone, but what brand holds up to moderate use?
>>> Has anybody tried AIMs inverters?
>>> Cost is an issue, budget can't afford a Magnum 600, or other
>>> transformer based model, but reliability is most important.  I'm
>>> planning on oversizing it substantially, I figure I would start with
>>> something at at least 400 w cont rating, just to make sure.  I had an
>>> old no name 1500 w inverter on our work truck that we took in on
>>> trade, and it actually ran a circular saw.  We tried to burn it out and
>> never did.
>>> UL listing is not an issue, as these will be very small stand alone
>>> systems not requiring AHJs or permits.
>>> 
>>> Thanks in advance as always,
>>> 
>>> --
>>> R.Ray Walters
>>> CTO, Solarray, Inc
>>> Nabcep Certified, Licensed Contractor
>>> 808 269-7491
>>> 
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