[RE-wrenches] Reliable Cheap Modsine Inverter

[Ray Walters]

The Exeltech was my original choice, but the 100 watt load is a bit too 
close to the rating for an inverter in an uncooled location.  Exeltech 
tech support recommended the 250, but the inverter was pushing 1/4 of 
the total budget per unit, so the customer asked if I could reduce the cost.
I found that computer supplies do just fine on mod-square wave. (Dan's 
right, let's get past the old Trace hype and call this waveform what it 
really is)
Also thanks for all the replies; great info as always.  I just haven't 
heard if anyone has tried AIMs inverters.  They make transformer based 
units as well, but I know nothing about them which spells trouble in 
this industry.

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

On 3/13/2013 12:27 PM, maverick at mavericksolar.com wrote:
> How about the Exeltech XP125?
>
> We have used a few of those and of course many of the Morningstar units.
>
>
> Thank you,
>
> Maverick
>
>
> Maverick Brown
> BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ®
> President & CEO
> Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc.
> Office:     512-919-4493
> Cell:        512-460-9825
>
> Sent from my HondaJet!
>
> On Mar 13, 2013, at 11:01 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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