[RE-wrenches] Reliable Cheap Modsine Inverter

[Ray Walters]

Thanks Dan.  The loads are very small (under 1 A @120 VAC), so I don't 
see the need for a breaker box. It's not an NEC compliant install and 
the inverter is literally incapable of exceeding the wiring ampacity.  
Grounding/ bonding may be an issue, but I don't have a problem with the 
bond being in the inverter or cord plugging in the computer power 
supply.  All loads are actually DC on the output of the computer power 
supply. I may look at straight DC for this system at some point later.
I'm glad to hear the Morningstar is good, I will reconsider it, as I 
mull through the veritable pile of Truck stop (later to become door 
stop) inverters.  I too had good luck with the Xantrex Prowatt, but 
apparently the regular suppliers don't carry such fare anymore.  The 
little transformerless inverters have their place, it just isn't in 
somebody's house.

R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified, Licensed Contractor
808 269-7491

On 3/13/2013 10:27 AM, Dan Fink wrote:
> 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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