Any recommendation for an off grid, pure sine inverter?

BorneaMan
BorneaMan Registered Users Posts: 2
in Solar Beginners Corner #1
I need a recommendation for a reliable, large off grid inverter.
The system is in North Borneo (east Malaysia) so I don't have local access to ANY supplies. It has been built with components imported from China.
Everything works perfectly EXCEPT the china-made inverters.
I've gone through three in less than a year. DHL dropped the first from a great height (at least twice!) and it was broken on delivery! The second lasted 6 months and the third (operated ever so gently) died after just 4 months. All rated 6000 watts (12,000 watts surge).

The system runs a maximum of about 3500 watts continuous power and unlikely to go over 4000-4500 watts.

Can anyone recommend a model? Ideally something that you have had working for a bit longer than a few months.
· Share on Twitter

Comments

  • stephendv
    stephendv Solar Expert Posts: 1,571 ✭✭
    #2
    Re: Any recommendation for an off grid, pure sine inverter?

    Outback, SMA, Victron, Studer, Xantrex are all good brands. Looks like there is a Victron dealer in Malaysia: http://www.victronenergy.com/where-to-buy/?continentid=6

    The Victron multiplus only goes to 5kW, so if you wanted that model you could use 2 x 3kW in parallel. Or spring for the Quatro model, which is available in up to 10kW continuous.
    · Share on Twitter
  • NorthGuy
    NorthGuy Solar Expert Posts: 1,913 ✭✭
    #3
    Re: Any recommendation for an off grid, pure sine inverter?

    I have Xantrex XW6048 and it seems to work well so far. It is 6kW. They have XW4548 model, which is 4.5kW. Also 24V 4kW model XW4024. It has 5 year warranty.
    · Share on Twitter
  • westbranch
    westbranch Solar Expert Posts: 5,183 ✭✭✭✭
    #4
    Re: Any recommendation for an off grid, pure sine inverter?

    Cotek is made in Taiwan, same as Samlex
     
    KID #51B  4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM
    CL#29032 FW 2126/ 2073/ 2133 175A E-Panel WBjr, 3 x 4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM 
    Cotek ST1500W 24V Inverter,OmniCharge 3024,
    2 x Cisco WRT54GL i/c DD-WRT Rtr & Bridge,
    Eu3/2/1000i Gens, 1680W & E-Panel/WBjr to come, CL #647 asleep
    West Chilcotin, BC, Canada
    · Share on Twitter
  • 2Guido
    2Guido Solar Expert Posts: 62 ✭✭
    #5
    Re: Any recommendation for an off grid, pure sine inverter?

    I have used ProSine 3kw inverters for 10 years (Now Xantrex) All units have run flawlessly and are still in service running off grid for 12hrs each day. They handle surge draws very well and are pure sine. They are also known as Statpowers as used in hospitals for emergency back-ups....
    · Share on Twitter
  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #6
    Re: Any recommendation for an off grid, pure sine inverter?

    I'm a fan of the Xantrex XW-6048 It's been going for about 3 years now, 24/7, with a daily 1KW load for 3 hours (water pump). It also has a large, efficient battery charger that runs off 240VAC, integral transfer switches.....

    But a question about your climate - is it something that a fan cooled inverter will work OK in, or do the guts get gummed up with dust sticking to parts from the humidity? Maybe a sealed inverter is better ?
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

    · Share on Twitter
  • BorneaMan
    BorneaMan Registered Users Posts: 2
    #7
    Re: Any recommendation for an off grid, pure sine inverter?

    It is hot and humid here (which will effect cooling) but we don't get condensation (except on my clothing when I do any manual work!!), so there shouldn't be a problem with dust gumming it up.

    I've looked at some of these models. At this stage I'm considering TWO units of Outback VFX3048E, run together to give 6000 watts. Partly to keep down the international shipping weight, at 28kg per unit.
    · Share on Twitter
  • westbranch
    westbranch Solar Expert Posts: 5,183 ✭✭✭✭
    #8
    Re: Any recommendation for an off grid, pure sine inverter?

    Just a caution about shipping, check on the rate for 'small package' or volume as well as weight.
    As far as shipping goes since they are small units they may charge on a per piece basis (surcharge?) as well.

    It cost me more for 2 sample panels than it did for 2 pallets (52 panels), different delivery mode though.
     
    KID #51B  4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM
    CL#29032 FW 2126/ 2073/ 2133 175A E-Panel WBjr, 3 x 4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM 
    Cotek ST1500W 24V Inverter,OmniCharge 3024,
    2 x Cisco WRT54GL i/c DD-WRT Rtr & Bridge,
    Eu3/2/1000i Gens, 1680W & E-Panel/WBjr to come, CL #647 asleep
    West Chilcotin, BC, Canada
    · Share on Twitter
  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #9
    Re: Any recommendation for an off grid, pure sine inverter?
    BorneaMan wrote: »
    ...I'm considering TWO units of Outback VFX3048E, run together to give 6000 watts. ...

    Will that give you 240V, or do you need a transformer ? And the MATE for programming.
    Data cables, logging software, interface/protocol convertors ???
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

    · Share on Twitter
  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    #10
    Re: Any recommendation for an off grid, pure sine inverter?

    Where he is the power standard may be 230 VAC 50 Hz, so two Outback VFX's stacked would give 6kW @ 230 VAC (export model). Certainly the most reliable inverter for harsh climate. However, two is a lot of weight and the wiring/programming more complex than with a Xantrex.
    · Share on Twitter

Categories