DR1524

System

Hi,

wondering whether Iit is safe to use a Xantrex DR1524 modified sine wave inverter to power an new LG refrigerator/freezer and what types of motors/appliances I cannot power from this unit. I heard the modified sine wave can damage some equipment.

Tnx,

Tom

mike95490

Re: DR1524 Mod Sine Inverter vs Fridge

tom999 wrote:

Hi,
wondering whether Iit is safe to use a Xantrex DR1524 modified sine wave inverter to power an new LG refrigerator/freezer and what types of motors/appliances I cannot power from this unit. I heard the modified sine wave can damage some equipment.
Tom

I don't know for sure, but I suspect you are "treading on thin ice" ! Try it and see which fails first. The motor WILL run extra hot, and the Inverter WILL not like it. If there is enough extra capacity in the inverter, it will survive long enough to cook the motor.
My nickel's worth. Mike

rplarry

Re: DR1524

Tom
I lost 2 refrigerators to MSW inverters before I figured out what the problem was. The inverter I was using is a DR 2512. I switched to an Outback 3 years ago and no more problems. The refers lasted about 10 months before they died. Both died during the hot summer months, so the motors probably overheated and burned up.
Larry

System2

Re: DR1524

Hey Tom, 2 or 3 years ago I was in your situation. The MSW inverters were affordable and I couldn’t see any reason why everything shouldn’t be just fine. After all, the compressor started right up, almost as quickly as on grid power. The good folks on here told me I was asking for trouble, but I couldn’t see it. In time, I did some actual testing and sure enough, I found that induction motors, like used in regular refer units, pumps etc used about 20% more power on MSW than if operated on pure sine and that extra power was turned into heat. (Just like they told me)
I have been getting away with operating my Chest Fridge on MSW for about 2 ½ years now, but it only runs 6 minutes out of every 45, so doesn’t have time to heat up. Same for my ½ hp submersible pump out in the lake, but DEFINITELY a pure sine inverter is in the works for me, hopefully before something gets fried, and because the motors use that extra 20% of very valuable solar energy while operating on MSW.
Wayne

System2

Re: DR1524

Thanks all...This inverter is with battery backup strictly in case of power outage, which means it idles 99% of the time, but I will look for a pure sine wave unit anyway.