diy solar

diy solar

best brands of inverters? best bank for the buck?

J

Jamie.sanders

New Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2019
Messages
159
I done a search didn't find exactly what I'm looking for. An internet search is suspect as to who owns the site your checking.

I was wondering if their is a list of the best quality inverters, or the best bang for the buck inverters, I understand

the right inverter depends on your system, I'm just talking name brand in general. thanks in Advance.

what are your favorites?

Thanks in advance.

as for what I have, 5280 watts of panals
2 midnight 150 charge controllers
three, 24 volt 280ah lithium batteries.
I will powering 110v items only and only need about 8,000 watts, I'm just powering emergency essentials.
 
Last edited:
You have two options:

1) expensive Tier-1 products that will likely last for decades, provide excellent surge capability and can have very robust feature with the addition of more expensive components (cloud data logging, etc.). Victron, Magnum, Outback, Midnight, Schneider, SMA, Sol-Ark, etc.
2a) Much cheaper not Tier-1 products that have a wide variety of features/reliability/support. Growatt and MPP Solar are the two most common with all-in-one inverter/charger + mppt; however, they are lightweight, have poor surge, are notably less efficient, have high self-consumption, and are not as reliable. If you order from a U.S. based vendor, you can get support. If you order direct from them to save $100, you're screwed. Support will be horrible.
2b) Much cheaper not Tier-1 products made by Sigineer under different brand names. These are the AIMS-like inverters. Inefficient, heavy as crap, massive surge capability, and reasonably reliable.

There's a 3rd option - no-name versions of the above and obscure ones that have the same or similar features with unknown reliability and non-existent support.
 
I'd say a name is only a part of it.... Even the "best" will put out bad products... I'd look for reviews on products you want to buy as much as name brand...
 
sunshine_eggo said:
You have two options:

1) expensive Tier-1 products that will likely last for decades, provide excellent surge capability and can have very robust feature with the addition of more expensive components (cloud data logging, etc.). Victron, Magnum, Outback, Midnight, Schneider, SMA, Sol-Ark, etc.
2a) Much cheaper not Tier-1 products that have a wide variety of features/reliability/support. Growatt and MPP Solar are the two most common with all-in-one inverter/charger + mppt; however, they are lightweight, have poor surge, are notably less efficient, have high self-consumption, and are not as reliable. If you order from a U.S. based vendor, you can get support. If you order direct from them to save $100, you're screwed. Support will be horrible.
2b) Much cheaper not Tier-1 products made by Sigineer under different brand names. These are the AIMS-like inverters. Inefficient, heavy as crap, massive surge capability, and reasonably reliable.

There's a 3rd option - no-name versions of the above and obscure ones that have the same or similar features with unknown reliability and non-existent support.
Click to expand...
I'd say you pretty much nailed it.
Point 1: in same order you listed them, manufactured in India, Mexico, India, China and soon to be USA, Germany, China.
Point 2a pretty much all China.
Point 2b pretty much all China

Soon to be added to US availability Tier 1 when they get UL listing: Studer (Switzerland) who will have an office in Miami area. Maybe late 2022.

A sad commentary on the state of US manufacturing. Also sad that some of the very best equipment in the world isn't sold here.

You pay your money, and you take your chances.
 
Addendum for my wish list: Hopefully this might help the OP while they are considering equipment lines.......

That Victron would submit their equipment to ETL/UL/etc so those of us who are required to adhere to an AHJ can legally buy it.
That Midnite Solar soon releases their new Rosie inverter and new charge controllers, and is able to source parts and hire workers.
That Schneider would invest a bit of time and straighten out their software, and consult with GXMnow.
That SMA would make their systems more user friendly.
That SolArk would offer more of the Deye line here, at a lower price point. Or, hey, how about a 10% Veteran discount?
That someone will offer a (listed) hybrid inverter (works with batteries) between the price points of MPP/Growatt and SolArk.
That Outback would clarify if the Skybox is a discontinued item. I've been told it is, by a saleman from one of the major distributors.
 
Another brand that should be mentioned & top of the list as in best bang for the buck IMHO is the Samlex Evo inverter/charger or the PST Inverter line up. I have been running a Evo-2224 and a PST-2000-24v for a few years with no issues they just work,the evo is a beast. No evo in a 48v currently but Samlex has been working on one to be released sometime soon.
 
sunshine_eggo said:
You have two options:

1) expensive Tier-1 products that will likely last for decades, provide excellent surge capability and can have very robust feature with the addition of more expensive components (cloud data logging, etc.). Victron, Magnum, Outback, Midnight, Schneider, SMA, Sol-Ark, etc.
2a) Much cheaper not Tier-1 products that have a wide variety of features/reliability/support. Growatt and MPP Solar are the two most common with all-in-one inverter/charger + mppt; however, they are lightweight, have poor surge, are notably less efficient, have high self-consumption, and are not as reliable. If you order from a U.S. based vendor, you can get support. If you order direct from them to save $100, you're screwed. Support will be horrible.
2b) Much cheaper not Tier-1 products made by Sigineer under different brand names. These are the AIMS-like inverters. Inefficient, heavy as crap, massive surge capability, and reasonably reliable.

There's a 3rd option - no-name versions of the above and obscure ones that have the same or similar features with unknown reliability and non-existent support.
Click to expand...
1)Victron 12V 3000VA, real 2400W and 6kw surge for 5sec and 92% efficiency
2b) signeer or Sungoldpower or AIMS, 12V 3000VA and real 3000W plus 9000W surge for 20 sec and 88% efficiency

4% efficiency difference on is 350A * 4% 0= 30A, ok Standby is much higher on 2b) but I would need mine mainly for electric galley on my catamaran. The Victron won’t handle it, the 2b does.
For all day 230V loads I have an Edecoa HF 3,5kw inverter that came with the cat and runs max on 1,5kw. If that dies a get a used Victron 1600W one.
 
Magnum MS 4024 PAE. 4kw, can be stacked if you buy the MEARTR (control panel router) you can stack up to 6 of them i believe. you would need two inverters plus the MEARTR. the enclosures and fancy mounty panels are not needed, but they do make it so that you meet code with no issues and its much simpler to keep the wiring neat.

this would give you 8kw of steady power with surge capability in the 32kw range. the MEARTR can be set to turn on the second inverter at different levels of consumption. most folks leave it set at the 60% though.
 
ken morgan said:
Magnum MS 4024 PAE. 4kw, can be stacked if you buy the MEARTR (control panel router) you can stack up to 6 of them i believe. you would need two inverters plus the MEARTR. the enclosures and fancy mounty panels are not needed, but they do make it so that you meet code with no issues and its much simpler to keep the wiring neat.

this would give you 8kw of steady power with surge capability in the 32kw range. the MEARTR can be set to turn on the second inverter at different levels of consumption. most folks leave it set at the 60% though.
Click to expand...
And how much does that cost?
Not 24V, 12V ….24V that’s easy
Ok 2x Multiplus 12/3000 Victron paralleled….just look in victron forum how much troubles with parallel units. Tons and many boaters run 2 circuits and ripped them apart but then you cannot run a single 3,4kw load on one…
 
captainrivet said:
And how much does that cost?
Not 24V, 12V ….24V that’s easy
Ok 2x Multiplus 12/3000 Victron paralleled….just look in victron forum how much troubles with parallel units. Tons and many boaters run 2 circuits and ripped them apart but then you cannot run a single 3,4kw load on one…
Click to expand...
OP specified 24 volts. price is dependent upon where you buy like anything else. I have had no issues paralleling the magnums they work for me.
 
Another vote for the Samlex. I have the Evo 4024 and the Evo 2224, both have been running for some time and I love them. Heavily built, incredibly programmable, I love mine. Check the prices at DonRowe.com, they're usually lower than the others by quite a bit, really changes the calculations.
 
Bvillebob said:
Another vote for the Samlex. I have the Evo 4024 and the Evo 2224, both have been running for some time and I love them. Heavily built, incredibly programmable, I love mine. Check the prices at DonRowe.com, they're usually lower than the others by quite a bit, really changes the calculations.
Click to expand...
I use a couple of Samlex's smaller units in my camper as point of power for laptops and what not (300 watt units) and they ahve beengoing strong for about 10 years, so I can say that their PST models are quite solid. I have not used any of their larger units though as I prefer low frequency inverters for large or demanding loads.
 
I have dual AIMS 12,000w (ETL) inverters and after 3.5 years they have produced 41,648kwh of AC with no problems.
I agree with the assessments above that AIMS is cheaper / Tier2 but not bad in terms of price / capabilities. 12,000w continuous w/36,000w surge and 120a @ 48v charging. I see the price is $1100 more today that what I paid - https://www.aimscorp.net/12000-Watt-Inverter-Charger-48-volt-120-240vac.html

The main regret I have with AIMS is 15% losses converting DC to AC. If I had it to do again I would go for top-tier / efficiency... Think of it this way - I'm loosing 3,000kwh (out of 18,000kwh PV input) per year mostly due to AIMS inverter losses. That's 250kwh/month or 8kwh/day on average!
1652202587649.png
 
Last edited:
Big debate awhile back. Can't find the thread.

All modern inverters are high frequency. The terms "high frequency" and "low frequency" have been adopted by the industry to describe the presence or lack thereof of a large transformer.

High frequency = lightweight, no large transformer, multiple smaller transformers, very poor surge characteristics (2X rated for ~20ms).
Low frequency = heavy, large transformer, robust surge characteristics (2-3X rated for 20-30 seconds).
 
sunshine_eggo said:
Big debate awhile back. Can't find the thread.

All modern inverters are high frequency. The terms "high frequency" and "low frequency" have been adopted by the industry to describe the presence or lack thereof of a large transformer.

High frequency = lightweight, no large transformer, multiple smaller transformers, very poor surge characteristics (2X rated for ~20ms).
Low frequency = heavy, large transformer, robust surge characteristics (2-3X rated for 20-30 seconds).
Click to expand...
As a general rule this is true but may not always be the case. I think some of the newer MPP inverters have a transformer to generate a neutral but use the "high frequency" topology.

"High Frequency" = Has a DC/DC converter to take the 12/24/48v battery and boost it to 200 - 300vdc. From there it inverts that 300v DC bus into 120v (or 230/240) AC.

"Low Frequency" = DC bus is the battery voltage. When you invert the 12vdc you end up with roughly 10vac and from there pass it though a step up transformer to get your 120vac (or 230).
 
Best bang .........
Gotta be my PowerMr (EASun/Y&H/Blue&White) 5k5 (48V) VMPlus wifi.
Ordered direct from China for $430 delivered.

How reliable ...... don't know , it's been running my house for the last 2 months.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20220220_140343.jpg
    IMG_20220220_140343.jpg
    168.2 KB · Views: 24
OffGridInTheCity said:
I have dual AIMS 12,000w (ETL) inverters and after 3.5 years they have produced 41,648kwh of AC with no problems.
I agree with the assessments above that AIMS is cheaper / Tier2 but not bad in terms of price / capabilities. 12,000w continuous w/36,000w surge and 120a @ 48v charging. I see the price is $1100 more today that what I paid - https://www.aimscorp.net/12000-Watt-Inverter-Charger-48-volt-120-240vac.html

The main regret I have with AIMS is 15% losses converting DC to AC. If I had it to do again I would go for top-tier / efficiency... Think of it this way - I'm loosing 3,000kwh (out of 18,000kwh PV input) per year mostly due to AIMS inverter losses. That's 250kwh/month or 8kwh/day on average!
View attachment 94163
Click to expand...
Great Setup.
Could we know more about your system?
How many Kw solar?
Battery?
 
nbtesh said:
Great Setup.
Click to expand...
Very kind. In my 4th year - gradually expanding year by year. It's people/sites like this that have made it possible - e.g. real info - can't thank everyone enough.

nbtesh said:
Could we know more about your system?
Click to expand...
Off-grid system. Power is fed to the house via ATSs. House is 70-90% powered spring/summer/fall (happy). Winter is the problem - not enough PV to keep house up to warm temps. :(

nbtesh said:
How many Kw solar?
Click to expand...
12.875kw PV. Its 45 x 285w panels -> 3 x MidNite Classic 150s and generates 18,000kwh/year.

nbtesh said:
Battery?
Click to expand...
7 x 260ah lithium-ion DIY batteries = 1820ah @ 52v = 94kwh. Operate between 49.5v/cell low and 4.0v/cell hi at 38% DOD yearly average. 1,327 cycles as of this morning.

Future - Plan to add another 4kw of PV + another 30kwh of battery.
 
Last edited:
A lot depends on the rate structure and the trend for NEM policies in your state. My system is an example of how I am hedging against the threat of changing policy in California. When I purchased my current home, I put 7kW of GT solar on the roof. As soon as I got my PTO I installed my Outback Skybox, another 2kW of solar and 42kWh of LFP batteries. All of that is behind the meter and not subject to fees from my power company but complies with building codes.

Also, I think of it as a system, and did not focus on the best brand of inverter. The requirements for my hybrid were entirely different than for my GT inverter(s).
 
Last edited:
OffGridInTheCity said:
Very kind. In my 4th year - gradually expanding year by year. It's people/sites like this that have made it possible - e.g. real info - can't thank everyone enough.


Off-grid system. Power is fed to the house via ATSs. House is 70-90% powered spring/summer/fall (happy). Winter is the problem - not enough PV to keep house up to warm temps. :(


12.875kw PV. Its 45 x 285w panels -> 3 x MidNite Classic 150s and generates 18,000kwh/year.


7 x 260ah lithium-ion DIY batteries = 1820ah @ 52v = 94kwh. Operate between 49.5v/cell low and 4.0v/cell hi at 38% DOD yearly average. 1,327 cycles as of this morning.

Future - Plan to add another 4kw of PV + another 30kwh of battery.
Click to expand...
nice been watching your posts for a while. I am fortunate that my needs are small, 7.8 kw of panels and 32kwh of diy lifepo4 power my place seemed to have just enough this winter.... the next challenge is the rainy season. if it makes it through that will no hiccups then I am golden... if not more used panels and batteries. looking at adding another 10kwh just in case as it is.

I have a backup on a 12 volt system that falls in as a 24 hour backup/reserve for the fridge and freezer and it powers my heating and cooling for both battery packs. its 400 Ah (about 5000 wh) at 12 volts that gets charged by the 48v system and floats at 13.2 which gets cycled daily for cooling and heating though its cycles are quite shallow so I try to keep it at 80% or so as its "full" charge.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Best bang for your buck dc to dc 12v to 48v charger
Replies
4
Views
525
Delmar
Delmar
S
what brands are best
Replies
14
Views
821
JBertok
JBertok
Z
Can't find the answer - best panel for the money. Roof Mount
Replies
7
Views
358
Zeebest001
Z
B
Best budget friendly 48v 100ah
Replies
4
Views
723
DIYrich
D
J
48v to 12 v buck converter to run 12 v inverter to reduce high standby power consumption of all-in-one
Replies
10
Views
707
sunshine_eggo
sunshine_eggo

diy solar

diy solar
Back
Top