Suggestions for small inverter

Plowman · April 2015

I've tried a few cheap MSW inverters for the year and a half or so I've been living off grid, they work OK for a while but lately I've been having problems with them shutting down unexpectedly, usually at the most inconvenient moment. Time to buy a decent inverter.

I don't need a big inverter, 300W is fine. Not powering any motors, just lights, electronics, small battery charging. I keep my inverter on 24/7, so low no-load draw is highly desirable. I turn my main power strip off at night and much of the day when I'm at work, but the inverter itself is kept on all the time.

I keep the inverter in a cargo trailer that gets cold during the winter (sometimes down into the 10s F, but rarely that cold) and hot during the summer (up to 110 F, but rarely that hot). Climate here in western Oregon is fairly mild, but the inverter will need to deal with the occasional extreme. I don't care how noisy it is, cargo trailer is well away from living area.

I'm looking at the following:

--Morningstar SureSine 300---spec sheet says no load draw on "stand by" is 55mA, but "inverter on (no load)" rating is 450mA. Not sure what the difference is. High voltage disconnect is 15.5V, which concerns me, quite close to my equalization voltage. I've got two cheap Xantrex MSW inverters that don't appreciate higher voltages. One shuts down at absorption voltage (14.8V).

--Samlex 300W pure sine---spec sheet says high voltage disconnect is 16.5V, which would work fine for my system. No load draw is <500mA, a bit on the high side, but acceptable.

--Xantrex ProSine 1000W---bigger than the others, don't need that much wattage but could use it if I had it---spec sheet says no load draw in search mode is <1.5W (0.125mA @ 12V) but in idle mode it's <22W (1.83A @ 12V)---not sure what the difference is between search and idle, but a no-load draw of 1.83A would be unacceptable for my little system.

I'm leaning towards the Samlex, given the price and the high voltage disconnect. Any other suggestions? I don't need pure sine, but these seem to be rated for continuous duty.

BB. · April 2015

Idle Mode--Inverter is on 100% of the time (running with ~115 VAC output voltage).

Search Mode--Inverter turns on for 1/2 to 1/1 cycle around once per second. If the inverter "sees" a load >~6 Watts, the inverter turns on full time until load is below ~6 Watts.

Search Mode is great for things that have on/off switches (lights, fans, larger than ~6 Watt loads). Not so useful for small loads like cell phone chargers, smaller LED bulbs, etc.

Another neat thing about the MorningStar--It has a remote on/off input (something like 12 volt circuit, close = on; open = off (or similar)).

I have not looked at the Samlex in detail yet--But they have some remote panels that may give you some of the options (like remote on/off). Much nicer than having to flip a large DC breaker (or 12 VDC switch) on/off.

If you are in cold weather--The 15.0 to 15.5 volt limitation is a pain. All three inverter families have a good following (have not heard much specifically about the Samlex, but a good/low cost TSW inverter from what I have read).

-Bill

waynefromnscanada · April 2015

Until my growing loads could no longer be handled by my Morningstars, yes, 2 of them, I totally loved my Morningstars - - except for that one little thing Bill mentioned. I live in an area with cold Winters and as a result, several times each Winter the battery voltage would exceed the 15.5 cut off point of these beautiful little inverters. Once the voltage dropped to the point where they would restart on their own, all would be fine, but it was occasionally a pain in the butt. All other times of the year they couldn't have been any more perfect. Incredible reliability and I put them through hell with many many overloads.

westyd1982 · April 2015

I've had my Morningstar SureSine for 5 years and it has been great. You could adjust the equalization voltage on your TS-45 to something like 15.45 V to avoid the high voltage disconnect at 15.5 V.

Plowman · April 2015

BB. wrote: »

Idle Mode--Inverter is on 100% of the time (running with ~115 VAC output voltage).

Search Mode--Inverter turns on for 1/2 to 1/1 cycle around once per second. If the inverter "sees" a load >~6 Watts, the inverter turns on full time until load is below ~6 Watts.

Search Mode is great for things that have on/off switches (lights, fans, larger than ~6 Watt loads). Not so useful for small loads like cell phone chargers, smaller LED bulbs, etc.

Thanks Bill. Now you've explained it I realize I actually used to know that, but managed to forget. I think for some of my small loads that might not work so well.

Another neat thing about the MorningStar--It has a remote on/off input (something like 12 volt circuit, close = on; open = off (or similar)).

My panels and other components are 100+ feet away in a locked cargo trailer. I rarely find the motivation late at night and/or first thing in the morning to walk over there, unlock it, and flip a switch. I wish there was a way to turn an inverter on/off wirelessly. but I haven't seen that solution as of yet.

I have not looked at the Samlex in detail yet--But they have some remote panels that may give you some of the options (like remote on/off). Much nicer than having to flip a large DC breaker (or 12 VDC switch) on/off.

Not much info on the Samlex I've been able to find. Our host sells it, but they don't seem to popular here on the forum. The price is right for me, though.

If you are in cold weather--The 15.0 to 15.5 volt limitation is a pain. All three inverter families have a good following (have not heard much specifically about the Samlex, but a good/low cost TSW inverter from what I have read).

I hadn't even thought of winter charging. As it is the 15.5V limit is right where Trojan recommends I equalize. One of my Xantrex inverters has a digital readout, it doesn't always agree with what my other meters says. I assume Morningstar's inverter might be a bit more accurate, but I'd rather not crank my equalization voltage down.

Plowman · April 2015

waynefromnscanada wrote: »

Until my growing loads could no longer be handled by my Morningstars, yes, 2 of them, I totally loved my Morningstars - - except for that one little thing Bill mentioned. I live in an area with cold Winters and as a result, several times each Winter the battery voltage would exceed the 15.5 cut off point of these beautiful little inverters. Once the voltage dropped to the point where they would restart on their own, all would be fine, but it was occasionally a pain in the butt. All other times of the year they couldn't have been any more perfect. Incredible reliability and I put them through hell with many many overloads.

I've heard nothing but good things about the Morningstar (except this thread). The equalization thing does give me pause, though. I don't equalize all that often, though (probably not often enough), so it's possible I could work around it. I equalize manually, so I suppose I could switch to one of my cheapo inverters that can handle the voltage when I equalize.

Do you think the solid state nature of the Morningstar would be a problem when it's hot? 110F (43C) or so. My most reliable cheapo inverter has been an old Sima 150W car inverter, but it overheats pretty badly when it's hot out.

waynefromnscanada · April 2015

I personally wouldn't pay too much attention to the negative thread you mentioned. People can find fault with any produce if they try hard enough, even if that "fault" has no credible influence or affect on loads.
As to heating up - - the two I had only barely got the chill off them, they NEVER got hot, so I would not expect problems running them in hot weather.

Plowman · April 2015

waynefromnscanada wrote: »

I personally wouldn't pay too much attention to the negative thread you mentioned. People can find fault with any produce if they try hard enough, even if that "fault" has no credible influence or affect on loads.
As to heating up - - the two I had only barely got the chill off them, they NEVER got hot, so I would not expect problems running them in hot weather.

Good to know about the lack of heat generated by the Morningstar. That was my other concern, besides the high voltage disconnect.

I wasn't too worried about that negative thread, just cited it since it was the only bad thing I've heard anyone say about these inverters. I'm leaning towards the Morningstar now. Before I posted this thread I narrowly lost an auction for one on eBay, brand new for $220 shipped. Got sniped 2 seconds before the auction ended. Oh well. Guess I'll have to pay full price LOL

South Africa · April 2015

I use Victron inverters. For 350w range, see http://www.victronenergy.com/inverters/Phoenix-inverter-180VA-1200VA

They are heavy, solid and on my 1600va one, I can even power a small fridge with no problem.
Sold a 350w one to my friend for his lights, works very well for his needs.

animatt · April 2015

Wayne has modified refrigerators to run off the suresine.
I have run an inverter type refrigerator off the suresine without issue. I really like the sealed nature of the suresine. Great for corrosive environments as well as dusty ones.
I am a fan of less moving parts. Has a really good surge ability for a rated 300w inverter. Probably due to the large toroidal transformer that is inside. Also reason for low standby losses. Vs el transformer
Two thumbs up for the morningstar inverter. I only wish they made a 24v version.

Ethan Brush · April 2015

Plowman wrote: »

I've tried a few cheap MSW inverters for the year and a half or so I've been living off grid, they work OK for a while but lately I've been having problems with them shutting down unexpectedly, usually at the most inconvenient moment. Time to buy a decent inverter.

I don't need a big inverter, 300W is fine. Not powering any motors, just lights, electronics, small battery charging. I keep my inverter on 24/7, so low no-load draw is highly desirable. I turn my main power strip off at night and much of the day when I'm at work, but the inverter itself is kept on all the time.

I keep the inverter in a cargo trailer that gets cold during the winter (sometimes down into the 10s F, but rarely that cold) and hot during the summer (up to 110 F, but rarely that hot). Climate here in western Oregon is fairly mild, but the inverter will need to deal with the occasional extreme. I don't care how noisy it is, cargo trailer is well away from living area.

I'm looking at the following:

--Morningstar SureSine 300---spec sheet says no load draw on "stand by" is 55mA, but "inverter on (no load)" rating is 450mA. Not sure what the difference is. High voltage disconnect is 15.5V, which concerns me, quite close to my equalization voltage. I've got two cheap Xantrex MSW inverters that don't appreciate higher voltages. One shuts down at absorption voltage (14.8V).

--Samlex 300W pure sine---spec sheet says high voltage disconnect is 16.5V, which would work fine for my system. No load draw is <500mA, a bit on the high side, but acceptable.

--Xantrex ProSine 1000W---bigger than the others, don't need that much wattage but could use it if I had it---spec sheet says no load draw in search mode is <1.5W (0.125mA @ 12V) but in idle mode it's <22W (1.83A @ 12V)---not sure what the difference is between search and idle, but a no-load draw of 1.83A would be unacceptable for my little system.

I'm leaning towards the Samlex, given the price and the high voltage disconnect. Any other suggestions? I don't need pure sine, but these seem to be rated for continuous duty.

In terms of the search/sleep mode current draw, I dont think there is anything that comes close to how little the morningstar uses.

Thom · April 2015

Morningstar is going to make a larger inverter .

Thom

Ethan Brush · April 2015

Thom wrote: »

Morningstar is going to make a larger inverter .

Thom

Oh? That is exciting. I hear midnite is working on one too. I think there are big gaps in inverter offerings. I would love to see a version of the morningstar for 24 and 48 volts, and perhaps one a little larger too. Also in my fantasy world we would have large inverters with less idle and sleep draw - seems there is room for improvement here.

BB. · April 2015

When is another question... Some of these pieces of hardware (from various manufacturers) can be delayed by 1 year or more from original plans before they hit volume production/retail market.

-Bill

thorsness · April 2015

We often arrive at our remote cabin in Alaska at temps of single digits or lower. I love my Morningstar 300W Sure Sine and it's cooling vanes instead of a fan. My old 1000W Xantrex had a cooling fan which squealed like a 'stuck pig' on arrival in the winter and was noisy even if warm. When it started to give me a nice little shock each time I touched it, I got the Morningstar (and Costco refunded the full price and the freight for the Xantrex !). That said, the Morningstar is inside so as the cabin warms up, so does the inverter.
One tip: my installer had the good judgment to test the first Sure Sine before we treked out to the cabin and it was dead. Morningstar expressed a replacement right away (without waiting to receive the bad one as I recall) and we were good to go.

-John

Suggestions for small inverter

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