What inverter brands are recommended?

yakapo7

I’m looking for 12v or 24v pure sine wave around 1000 watts.  I’ve read that the inverter is the component most likely to fail in a solar Power setup.  This inverter will be used to power a chest freezer during power outages. Are there reputable brands that are less expensive than victron?  

BB.

I would suggest you look at the various brands/models/types first... And see what meets your needs (remote operation, automatic switchover from AC Mains to Inverter, programmable low voltage cutoff/charging options/sleep mode/etc.)...

Do you want an inverter that runs 24x7 (really needed for running a frost free fridge) vs one that "sleeps" and only turns on when AC power is needed (saves energy, useful for "dumb" chest freezers and/or non-frost free fridges), etc.. Then look at the prices/etc.

For example, for a pure backup inverter... An inverter+charger that keeps your bank charged and does an auto switchover when power fails would be interesting (you can always add solar panels and a solar charge controller later)... For example:

Read about a "higher end/higher function" inverter and see what it does for you... And then the stuff that is not interesting, you can drop those requirements and look for a unit that does what is left, at your price point.

This inverter may be too expensive for what you want to do (~$650)... But Cotek is a pretty good/reliable brand and does the auto AC transfer switch/inverting/charging/float charging (from AC mains/backup genset):

https://www.solar-electric.com/cotek-sc-1200-112-1200-watt-12-volt-inverter-charger.html

And many of the Victron units have some very interesting phone apps/communications--Again, may be interesting or not for you.

And eBay/Amazon has a lot of less expensive (and some very feature rich) units that are built overseas... The support may not be there--But if they do what you want for 1/3rd the price--You can always buy a second if the first fails.

I am not in the solar business (more of trying to do basic education / understanding engineering issues for our folks here). I really cannot give you recommendations--I just do not have that experience.

Others an give you suggestions on brands/models that they have had good and bad results.

-Bill

New_Mexico_Will

I've had good luck with AIMS.  I've seen others say that they are just rebranded from a different name (can't remember right now), but they have been rock solid for me.  My first system used an AIMS 3000 watt 12 volt inverter, and it was bulletproof.  It's a UL listed model and was $459.  I upgraded to a 48 volt inverter/charger, and I have nothing but good things to say about it so far.  It was pretty darn pricey at $1,750 but worth it in my opinion.  I hope that is useful for you.