Inverter recommendations

NMNeil
NMNeil Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
I have a small 1400 watt system comprising 235 watt Canadian solar panels, sky blue charge controller, and two golf cart batteries in series.
All it does is operate the ceiling fans and led lights in the house, Maximum draw if everything is on is less than 600 watts, but the actual daily running draw is closer to 250 watts.
When I built the system I used a cheap modified sine wave inverter due to abject poverty at the time. No surprise that the led lights flickered and if you wanted to watch TV you had to turn the ceiling fan off or set the volume of the TV to stun to drown out the buzzing from the fan.
When finances allowed I bought a 1000 watt Reliable brand pure sine wave inverter. The led's flicker less and the fan only buzzes slightly, but it's still annoying.
Does any company make a true pure sine wave inverter that mimics utility power exactly?
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Comments

  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Morningstar Suresine 300 
     not cheap, but it's solid..  don't drop it on your foot !

    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 ,

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  • icarus
    icarus Solar Expert Posts: 5,436 ✭✭✭✭
    #3
    Great, robust inverter. (Suresine 300)  Will provide 300 watts continuous, 600 for 1/2 hour iirc, has very good efficiency, and low stand by draw.  Can also be turned off remotely.  No fan, no noise.  I have been using one 24/7 for 15 years, had one failure, probably due to lightning.

    tony
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  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #4
    Some LED lights can be run directly off 12v battery bank.  Mine do, and are flicker free even on dimmers.

    My AC ceiling fans make a bit of a hum/buzz when not running ar full speed, but I think that's from the power pulsing on/off, not an inverter issue.  Using the MS 300w inverter Mike mentioned, loads seem to run fine otherwise.  It will surge to ~600w for a short time, but 300w is the limit for continuing loads.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
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  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #5
    I've actually found most battery based pure sine inverters are very good. 

    For a small system the Morning star is a nice little unit.  I don't think you can go wrong with an Exeltech 600 watt either. both are small  but can be 'hardwired into your system. 

    Well I went  to get a link and found they have more than doubled in price since  I last looked!!!

    They are a inverter I'd be willing to buy used. I believe Exeltech still does repairs for $100 if they can be repaired, though I'd check that... Mean failure rate of 20 years...

    https://www.solar-electric.com/xp-600-12.html

    They go on eBay for $150-$250 quite often.


    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
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