Zamp 1000w Inverter First Look

[ak_cowboy]

I saw Lowes had a 60% off Zamp products and have wanted an Inverter for a while, so I picked one up.
It seems fairly well made, but I'm sure some parts are sourced from overseas. The included battery cables are only 24" long, cold-crimped, and might be 10gauge, I'll be upgrading to better cables when I start using it.

Either bad quality control, or a return that was repackaged. The remote switch had some residue on it.

2ga weld cable vs included cable (10ga?)

 

[ak_cowboy]

Here is where my suspicions of overseas work started. The English is passable, but definitely not the authors first language. And spelling errors on the warning label? Very Sloppy. I'm glad I didn't pay retail for this.

Inside views. I've never ran an inverter before, so you'll have to tell me if it looks good.
Is there another option for a remote turn on switch? the included one looks like its just 4-pin phone cable and an outdated plastic housing.

It settled at 117v hooked straight to the battery with supplied cables. It also has a soft start and recommends not turning on your appliances until after the inverter has been turned on for several seconds.

 

[dwh]

Freebie Harbor Freight multimeter!

That included cable looks more like #8 to me.

 

[Joe917]

Your sure some parts are from overseas?
You can't get quality USA built equipment without paying for it, of course its from China.
If that crimp is any indicator of quality 60% off might not be enough.

 

[ak_cowboy]

Freebie Harbor Freight multimeter!

That included cable looks more like #8 to me.

Yep!

It could be 8, I was guessing. Still too light, I think a minimum of 6 would be better.

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[ak_cowboy]

Your sure some parts are from overseas?
You can't get quality USA built equipment without paying for it, of course its from China.
If that crimp is any indicator of quality 60% off might not be enough.

The company website says their products are assembled in Oregon, so I'm hoping they have decent quality control.

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[dwh]

Yep!

It could be 8, I was guessing. Still too light, I think a minimum of 6 would be better.

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Well, I was guessing. Polly should have said looks bigger than 10. Could be 6 for all I know.

 

[Rando]

Without being too cynical - Zamp had nothing to do with the design or construction of this inverter. It is probably a fine inverter, but it is a generic inverter from an original equipment manufacturer and Zamp bought enough of them to have their brand put on the label. I think this is the case with most of their products. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as Zamp seems to be a decent company that would probably stand by their product. In reality there are only a few larger companies in this market that actually have the resources to design and engineer their own products - think Bluesea, Xantrex, Victron etc.

 

[Joe917]

Without being too cynical - Zamp had nothing to do with the design or construction of this inverter. It is probably a fine inverter, but it is a generic inverter from an original equipment manufacturer and Zamp bought enough of them to have their brand put on the label. I think this is the case with most of their products. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as Zamp seems to be a decent company that would probably stand by their product. In reality there are only a few larger companies in this market that actually have the resources to design and engineer their own products - think Bluesea, Xantrex, Victron etc.

Exactly. The Oregon "assembly" is probably nothing more than a guy getting minimum wage putting on a Zamp sticker. Assembly complete! As for Quality control, that crimp says it all!
I would add Magnum and Morningstar to your list. High quality USA built by American employees. Check the pricing, that is the cost of quality. Too many people run to Walmart or other big box stores to by the lowest priced crap then throw it away in a couple of years.

 

[Rando]

Just to be clear, I am not saying that made in Asia means something is better or worse than something made in the North America, there are plenty of great products made all over the world. I am sure Morningstar, Xantrex and the like also manufacture most of their products in Asia and they are still great products, and the Zamp inverter may also be a great product. My point was that Zamp and the like are not manufacturing or even engineering companies, but marketing, branding and customer support companies.

 

[ak_cowboy]

I'm hoping it works out ok. I figured the 60% would make it worthwhile to try having an inverter. I've never had one before and don't need it, just thought it would be neat.

 

[cruiser47]

Thanks for the review! This as well as the solar panels were not within hands reach at Lowes: (.
I have a 600w Powerbright installed in the FJ. Haven't put it to the test other than light duty. Like to get a 1000w. A friend has a PB 1000w and seems to like it, uses it for work and camping.
Like to see how yous performs under load after install.

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