Power conditioner

Re: Power conditioner

I know no way of converting a modified sine wave output with passive components into a true sine wave other than by "filtering" the wave form--and that filtering will, at best, simply convert some 25-33% of the energy of the modified sine wave (really modified square wave) into heat (through capacitors/inductors/ferro-resonate transformers), using another in-line inverter, or using a motor-generator set.

And trying to do the conversion will probably weigh more and cost as much (if not more) than simply replacing the current mod-sq-wave inverter with a true sine wave inverter.

I don't know if you are in the US--but if so, and you don't need a large inverter, some of these are not too badly priced:

http://store.solar-electric.com/exsiwain.html

A true sine-wave inverter is going to probably weigh more and cost more--but it is worth it for anything more than emergency use with 110/220 vac appliances that you don't care too much about.

Mod-square-wave inverter do work OK in some applications--but motors, items with transformers, and certain inexpensive small appliances do not (can overheat and fail after a few hours or days of use).

Here is a good "Inverter FAQ" from Wind-Sun--this may answer some of your questions:

http://www.solar-electric.com/solar_inverters/inverters_for_solar_electric.htm

By the way, is that a DR1512 (1,500 watt, 12 VDC)?

Do you know if your load does not work well on Mod-Square-Wave or are you just trying to be careful? Many items do work fine on Mod-Sq-Wv inverters (especially in cool climates). But if you need a clean sine wave inverter--you may have to simply get the right type of inverter.

Good Luck!
-Bill

Re: Power conditioner

Hmmm... Wonder what my excuse is--English is my only language.

Raky,

You are doing fine. I am used to the Internet where, many times, we have no idea where anyone is from and assuming US is not always right (and the answer not practical for others outside of the US).

Regarding emergency power, you may wish to consider using a Honda eX000i generator (1kW, 2kW, and 3kW peak). Very low fuel usage, pretty clean inverter supplied AC power, and very quiet. Even though I have grid tied solar (and various reasons why I cannot easily use my solar panels for emergency power), I purchased a Honda eu2000i (2kW peak, 1,600 watt continuous). Runs at full power (1,600 watts) for 4 hours on 1.1 gallons of gas. Runs at 1/4 power (400 watts) about 15 hours on 1.1 gallons of gas. If you are just powering a fridge and a few monitors, you could probably get a week or two on 15 gallons of fuel (stored with fuel stabilizer replaced every 6 months to one year).

Plus, if you have to bug out in an emergency, you either have extra fuel for the car, or you can take the generator with you (try that with solar and a bunch of batteries).

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/gensup.asp

I chose the eu2000i as a good cross between size, fuel consumption, and amount of load it can drive.

I know that they aren't solar--but sometimes the best tool for the job is not the "greenest". You can probably get the eu2000i for $900 +/- (eu1000i is probably around $700+).

A couple mail-order places to check with (not connected with, or recommended by Wind-Sun):

http://www.wisesales.com/HondaGeneratorsMain.html (heard good things about these folks--has extended run fuel tanks)
http://www.mayberrys.com/honda/generator/html/invertgenerator.htm (heard good things, I bought one here)

-Bill

Re: Power conditioner

Sounds good... Just the usual warning about running any generator. Make sure that you run it outside and not in a garage (attached to your home) or too close to your home/living area. Carbon Monoxide is an orderless/colorless gas that replaces the oxygen in your blood stream and will make you pass out and kill you.

So, run your generator outside, downwind (if possible), get a chain/lock for security (lock to tree, post, etc.), get a Carbon Monoxide detector (some have backup batteries too) from the local hardware store that you can plug-in and monitor the air inside of your home while running the generator. The newer generators run very clean and you might not even smell their exhaust to warn you that your air is becoming polluted.

For fuel storage, I have been looking at a couple tanks like these:

I think I prefer metal storage containers... Here is a fifteen gallon version (hmmm, it is on sale.):

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200317034_200317034

And they also offer plastic versions with wheels (this is a 15 gallon, they also have larger, and some with pumps):

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200333517_200333517

Here is a list of their standard fuel can products:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category_6970_106+7376

I have used these guys before--but they keep getting recommended on the various places I visit.

Good Luck,
-Bill