Morningstar SureSine - real life feedback request

[Swiftone]

Looking for some real life user feedback on a Morningstar SureSine. My Covid trailer project is approaching the end and I have planned all along to use the little 300 watt SureSine for our120VAC needs (mostly filling up air mattress's) but before spending the cash I thought I would see what people say about it.

My attraction to the unit is due to the lack of a fan and being a sealed unit. We spend a considerable time in the CA upper desert and it gets windy and dusty. My electronics are in a loosely sealed cabinet, but desert dust tends to find a way into everything. Thinking a sealed unit might be the ticket to a nice long life.

In the picture below it would mount on the shelf between the battery and wall. (and yea - I have a shorter cable on the way for the Renogy battery monitor)

 

[Joe917]

7 years of use, no issues, it is our main inverter. MorningStar make nice stuff.

 

[FlipperFla]

We have been using a Morningstar controller for over 10 years with no issues. Built like a tank, metal , no cheap plastic unit. Just read up on the inverter, it uses a transformer instead of transistors, that tells me it’s a quality unit and they are not building it the cheaper way. You can’t go wrong with Morningstar. They have been in the game for a long long time.

 

[OllieChristopher]

The problem with any "fanless" devices is the inability to efficiently dissipate heat. With inverters it's the drop in available watts as the ambient temperature rises. The temperature derating of these inverters can be drastic to the point of inability to sustain your required watts.

A Morningstar 300 watt inverter is only going to sustain barely more than 200 watts at 100 degF. If you are stuck on the Morningstar brand just make sure you get a unit that will still supply your power needs even when it derates. I'm pretty sure in the specs there should be a temperature derating chart.

I almost purchased a fanless unit until I saw that they were way less efficient and run much hotter than a unit with built in fan. Not putting down the Morningstar brand mind you. I'm just giving you something to think about when sizing it. Seeing you spend time in the upper desert you need to know how much it will derate so you can size accordingly. Good luck!!

 

[Swiftone]

The problem with any "fanless" devices is the inability to efficiently dissipate heat. With inverters it's the drop in available watts as the ambient temperature rises. The temperature derating of these inverters can be drastic to the point of inability to sustain your required watts.

A Morningstar 300 watt inverter is only going to sustain barely more than 200 watts at 100 degF. If you are stuck on the Morningstar brand just make sure you get a unit that will still supply your power needs even when it derates. I'm pretty sure in the specs there should be a temperature derating chart.

I almost purchased a fanless unit until I saw that they were way less efficient and run much hotter than a unit with built in fan. Not putting down the Morningstar brand mind you. I'm just giving you something to think about when sizing it. Seeing you spend time in the upper desert you need to know how much it will derate so you can size accordingly. Good luck!!

That is a valid point and I had not given that any thought. The trailer is well insulated with airflow, but not cooled. Hummm...We tend to avoid the desert during the hotter months, but heat can build up. I will do some research on output vs heat. Thank you.

Edit - just looked SureSine temperature de-rate curve and efficiency starts to fall off at 80 degrees (25C) and I should be good to 95 degrees (35C) Any hotter than that and our desert visits are put on hold and we hit the coast.

 

[broncobowsher]

I have had a Morning Star controller running full time for a decade. If the inverter is anywhere near as good as the controller, it will be a good one.