Pure Sine Wave Inverters who makes good ones? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Autoelectrical
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2012, 04:21:18 am
content: I am looking for a Pure Sine Wave Inverter for my vehicle and I see so many horrible reviews online on almost every model and make I look at. I am looking for some guidance as to who makes quality pure sine wave inverters between 2000w-6000w with surge above that range. (I am not going to need 6000w continuous at the moment).I just don't know how to split the hype and people that don't know what they are talking about from the useful information on these things.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2012, 04:26:11 am
content: How about a Powerjack Inverter? (Just kidding)- What input voltage do you want. (Please don't say 12V, not at 6kW )- What output voltage 110V or 230V ?- What output frequency 50 or 60Hz- What kind of loads do you want to run on it? motors?

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2012, 11:21:38 am
content: Quote from: Autoelectrical on November 19, 2012, 04:21:18 amrethinking about pure sine inverter design a while ago (12Vdc ->240Vac @ 50Hz). to maintain a pure sine at a significant power, let alone your 6KW requirement is a challenge and require a very very big transformer. so i guess the ROT is when you see a big and heavy and very very expensive inverter, then... thats it!

author: rr100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2012, 12:20:59 pm
content: What type of vehicle are we talking about? 2-6kW is quite high for most electrical systems.Anyway, nice tip I've got from a forum some years ago: many of the "good" UPSes have actually a pure(ish) sine inverter, I think all APCs I checked from 750W or so and above (of course you need to check for your particular candidate). However the point is that those were available on ebay for cheap (with broken batteries) while the sine inverters were many times more expensive.Of course, you still need to check many things, like the input voltage (often 2x12V or even higher), for how long they've been designed to run continuously (if it's only a couple of minutes maybe they aren't suitable to run for hours), etc.

author: WBB
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2012, 12:41:25 pm
content: I have an older (discontinued) Samlex pure sine inverter that I've been very happy with. Should be the equivalent of their SA series. It's been reliable, if nothing else. I've never done any real testing of it, but it's never given any trouble.

author: ptricks
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2012, 01:06:40 pm
content: Usually the main problem with portable inverters is they lack sufficient cooling. You can't put a 1000W inverter in something small and expect a little fan in the back of it to run reliably.Good ones for auto use.http://www.samlexamerica.com/

author: KD0CAC John
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2012, 03:12:08 pm
content: There needs to be more info on you application for complete answers , it would seem to me .As for quality inverters , you need to look at the solar industry - SunnyBoy , OutBack etc.You would need a very large battery bank in this vehicle to run a inverter the size your looking at .Good inverters where running about $1+ per watt .Here is a site to start shopping ,http://www.partsonsale.com/products.html#anchor559947

author: Autoelectrical
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 01:25:47 am
content: Quote from: Psi on November 19, 2012, 04:26:11 amI sorry for the late reply's its been a 12 hour day at work.It will be installed in a Silverado with a 350amp alternator with an idle output of 212amps 12v DC. The silverado also has the "big 3" upgrade, meaning the alternator to the battery, the battery to the engine ground and the battery to the chassis ground are 5300 strand 1/0 Aut cables.There are also dual Yellow Top deep cycle batteries installed.Potential uses are 2 hurricane fans for wind, 3000watts of studio strobe lights (Photography), and maybe keep a small cooler cold for drinks. Other smaller things would be a 240w laptop power transformer, 2x 24 inch LCD monitors, cell phone chargers, Ipad charger, etc.

author: Autoelectrical
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 01:27:15 am
content: Quote from: rr100 on November 19, 2012, 12:20:59 pmA UPS might be an idea....... I guess a 2000va would be the route I want to go, but it would have to sit under the back seat of the truck and that would be big.

author: Autoelectrical
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 01:27:56 am
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on November 19, 2012, 11:21:38 amROT?

author: Autoelectrical
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 01:28:49 am
content: Quote from: WBB on November 19, 2012, 12:41:25 pmThank you, I will look them up :-)

author: Autoelectrical
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 01:29:23 am
content: Quote from: ptricks on November 19, 2012, 01:06:40 pmAnd their website, thank you again

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 01:54:20 am
content: ROT=rule of thumb.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 05:11:23 am
content: At the levels you are talking about, it might be a better idea to get a portable generator.If you insist on using inverters, maybe it would be smarter to use two smaller ones, or maybe three, so that you can isolate your loads and needs. This way you can use smaller gauge wires to each also. The generator provides 212a at 12v, but for how long before it overheats? The batteries will only work as buffers as they are not true deep cycle storage batteries. You can kill them very quickly and reduce their life if not careful.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 07:10:36 am
content: Yeah, i agree, a generator is a far better idea and it will be cheaper too.The problem with 12V is you lose volts across the wires at these sorts of current levels. Even with thick cable.Most 12V inverters switch off at around 10V which means your battery can be charged but the inverter wont run because each cable is dropping 1volt.Assuming 80% efficiency, even at 2kW your talking 208A at 6kW it's 625AThat's more than it takes to start the car and you need it continuously.If you absolutely need to run it from the car the only feasible way i can see is to install a 2nd alternator (24V 300+A) and a 24V battery for it. (pick a ultra heavy duty alternator from a truck or something)Then you leave the engine running and have a nice 24V source to run a high power inverter.it would be expensive though and your effectively just turning the car into a generator so you might as well buy a 6kW gen to start with.

author: ptricks
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 12:35:56 pm
content: That truck you posted about shouldn't be an issue with power. Inverters like you want are in lots of RV and they use 2 or 3 deep cycle batteries.If you are going to power inductive loads like large fans you need to read the specs on the inverter to make sure it can do that, motors are in a class of their own when it comes to inverter load because of the start up current they require.

author: Autoelectrical
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 07:38:52 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on November 20, 2012, 05:11:23 amSo I think I might do a combo of both..... This inverter:http://www.samlexamerica.com/products/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=111As far as a pure sine wave generator, I have seen a few, but have no idea where to start looking for one.... I think Honda makes some (Honda Engine powering the generator), but what should I look for or who makes good pure sine wave generators?

author: xygor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 11:27:38 am
content: UPS probably would not be a good solution because the higher power ones need a higher voltage input. e.g. 120vdc for a 3kw UPS. Also, many UPS will not start without detecting an AC line input first. The loss of AC starts it.It doesn't necessarily have to be heavy. The power conversion can done at high frequency with small magnetic components, so there is no need for a 60 Hz transformer, which would be heavy.If you use more than one, it would be handy to have sync capability. Sync can be used to parallel or series their outputs for more current or voltage. Two 120VAC inverters can be used to make 240VAC split phase.Check here for some options:http://www.nooutage.com/They appear to have some good quality units from several manufacturers, so it is a good resource for comparing prices and features.Maybe you can use a modified sine inverter for some loads and a lighter duty sine inverter for the loads that need it. Modified sine inverters are cheaper and more efficient. But some loads, like induction motors, are less efficient and run hotter on modified sine.And in the future, when you get a hybrid or electric car, check outhttp://www.priups.com/