diy solar

diy solar

are there any good, budget, standalone 48v inverters?

D

defed

New Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2023
Messages
157
Location
usa
i'm looking for a decent, budget, standalone 48v inverter (3000w-5000w). seems that all there is now are the all-in-one units like the EG4 and growatt. and for $700, they are probably an amazing deal....but right now, i only need an inverter. you'd think you should be able to get one like in those units for $400.

i had an outback gvfx3648 that died and i have been unable to diagnose the problem, so i picked up a cheap (but well reviewed) model to get me by in emergencies. it said 'pure sine wave' but i don't think it is because my PC does not like it.

so now i need something better..... if i HAVE to, i'd get one of the all in ones, but since my c/c is fine, i'f rather save a cpl hundred if i can (seems unlikely though!).

thanks.
 
+1 for this, I'm looking for something stackable as well. I'd rather have separate SCCs and deal with the inverters alone, and since I'm all offgrid, I don't need the switchover capabilities of these AIOs. Pretty much a bank of charge controllers, a few inverters I can online as load increases, and a chargeverter for genny use.
 
ikidd said:
+1 for this, I'm looking for something stackable as well. I'd rather have separate SCCs and deal with the inverters alone, and since I'm all offgrid, I don't need the switchover capabilities of these AIOs. Pretty much a bank of charge controllers, a few inverters I can online as load increases, and a chargeverter for genny use.
Click to expand...
it's making my head hurt looking. the stand alone units are either $1500+ (like the outback i have/had) or the cheap type that only have a 3 prong plug for an output - which are more than likely not pure sine wave and not something I'd trust running unsupervised 24/7. victron has one that's reasonable, but it's only 1200w and still only has a duplex receptacle as the output.

i guess there is not a market for a stand alone unit like the one in the all in ones.
 
defed said:
it's making my head hurt looking. the stand alone units are either $1500+ (like the outback i have/had) or the cheap type that only have a 3 prong plug for an output - which are more than likely not pure sine wave and not something I'd trust running unsupervised 24/7. victron has one that's reasonable, but it's only 1200w and still only has a duplex receptacle as the output.

i guess there is not a market for a stand alone unit like the one in the all in ones.
Click to expand...
Yah, I'm seeing things like the Multiplus 5k-120 at $2000/ea, but when you add it all up, the AIOs totally outstrip doing it piecemeal for price. And I'd just like to be able to swap out parts instead of having one monolithic thing that if one part of it fails, it's all down. 3 of each component so I can limp along until I can replace a piece is how my farmer brain works.

So an EG4 18kv would need 2.5 multiplus 5k (12kv output), 3 EG4 SCC (3x$400), a chargeverter x 2 ($400 ea), so I'm already up to $6000 and I haven't added switchover, breakers, inter-wiring, monitoring, blah blah. But I'm terrified of the 18kv breaking down then.

Really, the dealbreaker here is the inverter price. It needs to be sub-1k
 
I'm not sure what to make of this company, but at least one user on this forum has one of these:

GS Inverters — Genetry Solar

www.genetrysolar.com www.genetrysolar.com

The idle consumption seems good at 30W reported, they can be daisy-chained, and there's an 8% discount if you buy 3, bringing them to $1380/ea. And they seem to supply parts as well. And the inverter will do up to 18kw for surge draws.

I'm intrigued. I got this from the discussion here:

diysolarforum.com

Idle 'no load' Consumption: Specs vs Your Personal Observation

In this thread, I hope to consolidate personal observations/measurements on inverter standby consumption. Specifically whether your observations are inline with what is stated on the datasheet, along with anything else you consider relevant, interesting, good or bad. With time--if this thread...
diysolarforum.com diysolarforum.com
 
Last edited:
ikidd said:
And I'd just like to be able to swap out parts instead of having one monolithic thing that if one part of it fails, it's all down.
Click to expand...
For the cheap price of the all in ones, you could just buy two. If one fails for any reason, just swap the whole thing out.
 
Tomthumb62 said:
For the cheap price of the all in ones, you could just buy two. If one fails for any reason, just swap the whole thing out.
Click to expand...
Well, the 18kw is $5600 but yah, the 6500ex or 6048s are a little cheaper if you bought 3. I don't care much for what I see on the idle consumption with those, you're getting into a couple kWh a day running 2 for 12kW output. And increased components in each unit just increases the chances of the whole unit being unusable because one piece goes bad. If a single SCC goes out, it doesn't take the standalone inverter with it while you send it to get fixed.
 
ikidd said:
Well, the 18kw is $5600 but yah, the 6500ex or 6048s are a little cheaper if you bought 3. I don't care much for what I see on the idle consumption with those, you're getting into a couple kWh a day running 2 for 12kW output. And increased components in each unit just increases the chances of the whole unit being unusable because one piece goes bad. If a single SCC goes out, it doesn't take the standalone inverter with it while you send it to get fixed.
Click to expand...
Oh ok. I’m not into the all in ones either but I was referring to someone who said there is one of them for $700.
 
Tomthumb62 said:
Oh ok. I’m not into the all in ones either but I was referring to someone who said there is one of them for $700.
Click to expand...
there are a cpl smaller all in ones for under $700...just feels like a waste when i could, theoretically, just buy the stand alone inverter for $400 (except it doesn't exist!).

it seems that the all in ones do the buss bars internally...just solar in, battery in, AC out. currently, i have solar in to c/c, out to buss bars, battery to buss bars, inverter to buss bars. i'd also have to redo all of my wiring - which would make it a lot cleaner by removing a whole bunch of stuff. i wonder what happens if you use JUST the inverter. can't say i recall seeing anyone do it.
 
DIYrich said:
No idea if it is "decent"

Click to expand...

the one i have is probably a clone of that...looks pretty much identical. it says 'pure sine' and i had read several reviews that said it was not bad...but i don't think it does pure sine. i got it as an inexpensive emergency unit after my outback died.

what i mean by 'good/decent' is an inverter like that inside of the eg4 or growatt all in ones...just not all in one...i only want the inverter! lol
 
While not at all "budget", Samlex-America makes a 48vdc 4200w Pure Sine Wave Inverter/Charger.
"Samlex EVO-4248SP"
I've not used this model.
I have great success using their smaller 24vdc 3000watt "PST-3000-24" Pure Sine Wave Inverter. Quality equipment, not budget minded.
 
NCislander said:
While not at all "budget", Samlex-America makes a 48vdc 4200w Pure Sine Wave Inverter/Charger.
"Samlex EVO-4248SP"
I've not used this model.
I have great success using their smaller 24vdc 3000watt "PST-3000-24" Pure Sine Wave Inverter. Quality equipment, not budget minded.
Click to expand...

that is certainly over budget, but i appreciate all input!

if i have to, i will just rewire everything and use an all in one, but it's all wired up and i just need to drop in an inverter. i didn't think it would be this difficult to find something.

i should probably ship my outback back to them for repair, but seeing as how it weighs 75lbs and they can't even estimate the repair costs...i didn't want to spend $100 to get it there only to find out it would be $1000 to repair. it has to be one of the 3 boards....they are about $400 each, so i could also gamble and get one at a time and hope i guess right, or spend $1200 on all 3 and still not fix it.
 
I recently shifted my systems from 24v to 48v. Was considering eBay selling my Samlex. But I like the standalone Samlex 3000 watt inverter so much decided to keep it. Too many great uses. Fairly easy to setup and put to work. Its definitely quality equipment. Just saying in case you or others were looking for standalone inverter options.
AIO, I use dual Growatt SPF 5000 units. Very reliable, and strong for my needs. If needed for more power, I plan to expand a 3rd or even 4th Growatt.
Options & Redundancy, Off-Grid.
 
NCislander said:
I recently shifted my systems from 24v to 48v. Was considering eBay selling my Samlex. But I like the standalone Samlex 3000 watt inverter so much decided to keep it. Too many great uses. Fairly easy to setup and put to work. Its definitely quality equipment. Just saying in case you or others were looking for standalone inverter options.
AIO, I use dual Growatt SPF 5000 units. Very reliable, and strong for my needs. If needed for more power, I plan to expand a 3rd or even 4th Growatt.
Options & Redundancy, Off-Grid.
Click to expand...

i know there are options for standalone 48v inverters out there....for $1500+ (i have one, the outback gvfx3648 - which died)....what i don't get is how they can make an AIO for $700, but i can't find the type of inverter they use in it by itself for $400-$500.
 
defed said:
i know there are options for standalone 48v inverters out there....for $1500+ (i have one, the outback gvfx3648 - which died)....what i don't get is how they can make an AIO for $700, but i can't find the type of inverter they use in it by itself for $400-$500.
Click to expand...
I believe its mostly Supply & Demand. AIO's are all a "hot" market, hence lower pricing. Distributors selling 1000's of AIO units (Large demand). Other distributors selling 100's of stand alone units (Smaller demand). Profit margins I believe.
My AIO's performance is top notch, at 1/2 cost of standalone. Me as a consumer had to suck-it-up on previous purchase(s). I totally get it.
 
To be honest, the outback’s are a quality unit, I don’t know that you’re going to find a robust replacement for the VFX3648 for a reasonable price.
Northern Arizona wind and sun has new 3648s for $1700/ea
A schneider SW4048 may be a decent solution but I’m not sure how well it would communicate with your other equipment. It is not supposed to be stacked either, so that’s out if you’re running multiple inverter units.
 
defed said:
i'm looking for a decent, budget, standalone 48v inverter (3000w-5000w). seems that all there is now are the all-in-one units like the EG4 and growatt. and for $700, they are probably an amazing deal....but right now, i only need an inverter. you'd think you should be able to get one like in those units for $400.

i had an outback gvfx3648 that died and i have been unable to diagnose the problem, so i picked up a cheap (but well reviewed) model to get me by in emergencies. it said 'pure sine wave' but i don't think it is because my PC does not like it.

so now i need something better..... if i HAVE to, i'd get one of the all in ones, but since my c/c is fine, i'f rather save a cpl hundred if i can (seems unlikely though!).

thanks.
Click to expand...
What are the exact needs? Split phase (probably not as the Outback was 120V), surge capability, daily usage,mobile or stationary and size of battery bank?
 
NCislander said:
I believe its mostly Supply & Demand. AIO's are all a "hot" market, hence lower pricing. Distributors selling 1000's of AIO units (Large demand). Other distributors selling 100's of stand alone units (Smaller demand). Profit margins I believe.
My AIO's performance is top notch, at 1/2 cost of standalone. Me as a consumer had to suck-it-up on previous purchase(s). I totally get it.
Click to expand...
agreed. there is probably little demand for the inverter inside the AIO on its own. it seems i could use just the inverter...so if that's the case, i can use that for now and migrate over to the internal MPPT at some point.
 
GOO5E said:
To be honest, the outback’s are a quality unit, I don’t know that you’re going to find a robust replacement for the VFX3648 for a reasonable price.
Northern Arizona wind and sun has new 3648s for $1700/ea
A schneider SW4048 may be a decent solution but I’m not sure how well it would communicate with your other equipment. It is not supposed to be stacked either, so that’s out if you’re running multiple inverter units.
Click to expand...

the outback was (WAS) great until it died. they didn't want to help me troubleshoot it (probably liability). it sees DC IN, but that's it. i just wanted to know how to figure out which board was bad...i mean, there has to be test points...do you have this voltage here, this resistance there, for example that will narrow it down. each board is about $400, and there are 3. so i could roll the dice that it's the control board and maybe fix it for $400. maybe it will take all 3. maybe i'll keep blowing boards. they can't estimate repair cost, and i didn't want to spend the $ to send it to them and find out it will cost as much to fix as to replace. i can maybe see 1 component (an oscillator) that might be burnt, but i'm very dumb when it comes to electronics and figuring what's wrong.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Is 48V good for an Apartment?
2
Replies
22
Views
659
mgentile7
M
J
Renogy Rover 100 Vs EG4 3kw for 48V mobile cart
Replies
0
Views
175
jdurban
J
chilly2
Inverter recommendations
Replies
2
Views
433
chilly2
chilly2
C
Temperature de-rating of output from 48V Victron Phoenix Inverters - or any other inverters
Replies
1
Views
420
Tomthumb62
Tomthumb62
F
Any small 500W-ish "all in one" inverters? Building security cam base unit
2
Replies
23
Views
644
HRTKD
HRTKD
Back
Top