Which Inverter Brand and model?

[Bikersmurf]

I’m wanting to know what people are using. I was running a Samlex SSW-2000-12 pure sine inverter that died outside of warranty.

Looking for a new one and thought I’d ask the community. I don’t want too cheap... but beer budget and champagne tastes. 2020 has been hard on all of us.

I’d like to stay pure sine, and big enough to keep running the small Makita compressor I have in my side compartment. It’s rated at 15amps, but the 2000 watt inverter ran it fine... until it died. I like having the compressor... and won’t make the mistake of running it for too long again... live and learn. Having a compressor means never having to change a drivers side inner dualy in a rainstorm at the side of the highway in the rain... or ever.

 

[PlethoraOfGuns]

I just picked up a Renogy 2000w pure sine for my build. They had a 15% off cyber Monday sale or whatever. It was the older model so I got it even cheaper. Haven't used it yet, but it seems well built, has nice remote kit, and comes with the battery cables all crimped and ready to run it. But many good companies out there. Any which way you go, just run the pure sine and make sure it's we'll ventilated.

 

[Bikersmurf]

I just picked up a Renogy 2000w pure sine for my build. They had a 15% off cyber Monday sale or whatever. It was the older model so I got it even cheaper. Haven't used it yet, but it seems well built, has nice remote kit, and comes with the battery cables all crimped and ready to run it. But many good companies out there. Any which way you go, just run the pure sine and make sure it's we'll ventilated.

Where from?

Amazon seems to have them for a decent price.

 

[PlethoraOfGuns]

I bought it direct from Renogy. I have a Npower XRP 1000w pure sine inverter in my truck. That has been great as well. No problems in last 5 years, it's just a bit small.

 

[Cummins_expo]

Had an Aims all in 1 Inverter/Converter/Charger It died twice in less then a year ( plenty of space for ventilation, not really even used to power big items)

Installed a Renogy 2000 similar type product in a friends Van 2 years ago and its still cracking away but has some issues initially

Have a Triplite in a Van I sold to a friend 3 years ago and its been in use fulltime and still works without skipping a beat. It seems Triplite is used in a lot of emergency vehicles. I will probably stick to Triplite for future builds. Attractive price points

 

[DiploStrat]

Had a Magnum Energy inverter/charger on my Tiger, have another on my XP. Both have worked for years and routinely handle microwaves, battery conditioning, and other tasks. Infinitely adjustable with the remote control.

Would buy again.

Inverter Chargers | Magnum Dimensions (magnum-dimensions.com)

 

[jkam]

I'm using a Xantrex Prowatt SW 2000 in my RV.
It's going on 10 years old now and continues to work properly.

 

[Bikersmurf]

Renogy has the best prices by far they’re less than $300 USD to my door. It’s hard to justify spending 3-5+ times that much for something I only use intermittently.

Renogy’s max input voltage of 16 volts is better than Samlex at 15 volts. Occasionally my alternator output momentarily goes over 15 volts... even though it is for a fraction of a second, it shut off the inverter for a minute or two. 16 will give me some leeway.

The SSW Samlex I had lasted 6 years before I cooked it. Had a look under its hood and wasn’t thrilled at the workmanship. It wasn’t terrible, but I’m not excited that they use 10 fuses soldered directly to the circuit board.

 

[Scotty D]

I would get a smaller compressor if its just for airing tires up . 2000w is really pushing it for a 15 amp draw and lord knows what that compressor draws at startup .
If the next thing down that you use only needs an 800w inverter you are really paying a lot to have the wrong compressor on board. Not to mention that the resting draw of a 2k inverter is way more than a smaller one so you are losing energy there 24 hrs a day unless you only turn the inverter on when you need it.
One solution is a battery powered compressor . Just buy the same brand as whatever cordless drill set up you use. These things are great for baja when you are constantly airing up and down to drive on the beach.

 

[Bikersmurf]

I’ve already killed one 12v compressor. The 5/8” shaft driving the piston sheared clean off. I doubt a battery operated compressor that could reseat a tire bead would be in my budget. Since I’ve done it a 3-4 times already, I foresee that it will come up again.

Some of the laser printers, angle grinders, and the microwave are heavy for a 1000 w. I’ve got a 300 w for lower draw items.

 

[nyyankees588]

We've installed ~40 of the xantrex 2000w pure sinewave inverters at the shop that I work at. They are pretty solid units. Have had issues with probably 5 out of 40. We used to install AIMS, those seem to die after a few years. From everything that I know, renogy doesn't manufacture the highest quality components in general, hence whey they are consistently on the cheaper end of the spectrum. I'm sure you could be a-ok with a renogy made inverter, but I wouldn't necessarily suggest it if you want long-term consistency. I had a renogy charge controller that had the terminal screws strip out. Completely useless afterwards and they refused to repair it even after I offered to pay for shipping both ways.

 

[Bikersmurf]

Thanks for all the input. My new inverter arrived today. Despite the mixed reviews here, I went with the Renogy 2000 watt pure sine inverter.

For $350 cdn (310 usd ish) I had it delivered to my door. Given I only really use it for 1/2 an hour or so a month, I can’t justify spending $200 or so more for a Xantrex or more with remote or even more for others.

It wasn’t just about price... I also liked that the max voltage was 16.5, and I previously had trouble with my inverter shutting off because of a 15.3 max rating.

Thr Renogy inverter seems to be a solid 11.2 lb unit and it handles my largest load (“1.5 hp” air compressor).The fans don’t even kick on, nor does it seem to warm up. I have the 1.5 in quotes because I don’t trust any compressor ratings... it says to use a minimum 15 amp circuit, but Makita hides the motor’s actual rating.

I’ve read a review from someone whose inverter fans wouldn’t turn on... so I’ll have to put a sustained load on it and make sure they do if I get it to warm up. I’ll do this soon so I can return it to amazon if there’s any problems.

 

[ajmaudio]

if/when it dies... go magnum

 

[Bikersmurf]

Had to build a shelf for the compressor, it would no longer fit beside the inverter due to its extra length.

 

[Bikersmurf]

if/when it dies... go magnum

It looks like I could buy 4-6 for the price of the one I bought. Rich for my blood. Twice what I paid for my Ambo.