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

[defed]

I know what you mean. Prices are not random nor linear!

I mean everyone in the world could be buying up left and right purple-yellow-orange-black Chevy Avalanches (I can’t think of anything more grotesque) and because the demand is high and Chevy has decided to meet that demand plus a lot extra, the price is low. But say I want a nice dark blue Avalanche that doesn’t have all wheel drive? The price is 37% higher!!

Anyways, sometimes when lowest price is the main motivating factor, you have to lower your standards or at least change them.

We went with Victron gear for our camper van. It’s been cheaper to buy individual parts than the all in ones. But that’s Victron for you, their pricing seems more “logical” in that their all in ones are quite expensive simply for the convenience of everything in one box.

the victron phoenix 48/1200 is close to what i want. if it had a little more output and if it had output terminals rather than the plug type outlet...

in reality, 1000w output is probably enough. i use 5kwh/day. worse case i use most of that in 10 hrs (8 hrs at work, 6 hr sleeping = little use) so that's 500w/hr on average. take into account the well pump and oven are 220v so they wouldn't be run off the inverter, and some 120v loads come on and off all day (boiler, fridge) and some are always drawing (dvrs, clocks), that's even less for any given time.

 

[defed]

EG4 makes the standalone chargeverter....where is the inverter?!? lol

 

[Tomthumb62]

the victron phoenix 48/1200 is close to what i want. if it had a little more output and if it had output terminals rather than the plug type outlet...

in reality, 1000w output is probably enough. i use 5kwh/day. worse case i use most of that in 10 hrs (8 hrs at work, 6 hr sleeping = little use) so that's 500w/hr on average. take into account the well pump and oven are 220v so they wouldn't be run off the inverter, and some 120v loads come on and off all day (boiler, fridge) and some are always drawing (dvrs, clocks), that's even less for any given time.

I have the Victron Phoenix 12/1200. It pumps out 1000W zero issues. I ran our 1850W vacuum on it (2700W surge) and it had zero issues but after 30 seconds it started beeping telling me it was over its limit. It eventually shut down because that’s what it’s designed to do, but I bet it could run just fine for 5 minutes or so at almost double its rating if you could override it. In other words, this thing will likely outlast me.

 

[defed]

I have the Victron Phoenix 12/1200. It pumps out 1000W zero issues. I ran our 1850W vacuum on it (2700W surge) and it had zero issues but after 30 seconds it started beeping telling me it was over its limit. It eventually shut down because that’s what it’s designed to do, but I bet it could run just fine for 5 minutes or so at almost double its rating if you could override it. In other words, this thing will likely outlast me.

what the heck kind of vacuum are you running?! it would probably be enough, though my 3d printer will use 500w for about a minute so would have to keep an eye on what else is running....but i just don't like that AC output plug...

edit: i guess that's not as big a vacuum as i was thinking. i'm running a small hairdryer as a test load, and it uses 1500w on full power. lol

 

[G00SE]

the victron phoenix 48/1200 is close to what i want. if it had a little more output and if it had output terminals rather than the plug type outlet...

in reality, 1000w output is probably enough. i use 5kwh/day. worse case i use most of that in 10 hrs (8 hrs at work, 6 hr sleeping = little use) so that's 500w/hr on average. take into account the well pump and oven are 220v so they wouldn't be run off the inverter, and some 120v loads come on and off all day (boiler, fridge) and some are always drawing (dvrs, clocks), that's even less for any given time.

Victron Energy MultiPlus 2000 Watt 48 Volt Inverter & 25 Amp Battery Charger

Part Number: PMP482200100

www.solar-electric.com

Would something like this work?

 

[defed]

Victron Energy MultiPlus 2000 Watt 48 Volt Inverter & 25 Amp Battery Charger

Part Number: PMP482200100

www.solar-electric.com

Would something like this work?

it certainly would, but that is going over the line of budget (to me any way). considering the AIO's can be had for under $700. i was just hoping there was something that took JUST the inverter out of those for say 2/3 the price. i see EG4 has a standalone charger, just not an inverter. it's looking like the AIO may be my best option (aside from fixing my outback).

 

[Tomthumb62]

what the heck kind of vacuum are you running?! it would probably be enough, though my 3d printer will use 500w for about a minute so would have to keep an eye on what else is running....but i just don't like that AC output plug...

edit: i guess that's not as big a vacuum as i was thinking. i'm running a small hairdryer as a test load, and it uses 1500w on full power. lol

It was a Dyson vacuum. Model called “the animal” for cleaning up pet hair. The power cord always gets a tad warm after a few minutes of operation.

 

[G00SE]

it certainly would, but that is going over the line of budget (to me any way). considering the AIO's can be had for under $700. i was just hoping there was something that took JUST the inverter out of those for say 2/3 the price. i see EG4 has a standalone charger, just not an inverter. it's looking like the AIO may be my best option (aside from fixing my outback).

I’m just arm chairing here. I don’t have experience with either. I understand the monetary constraints well though.
I’m still somewhat of the opinion that 300-400 dollars more now, for the Victron, may prove wise in 5 years vs saving a few hundred now for the eg4

 

[Tomthumb62]

I’m just arm chairing here. I don’t have experience with either. I understand the monetary constraints well though.
I’m still somewhat of the opinion that 300-400 dollars more now, for the Victron, may prove wise in 5 years vs saving a few hundred now for the eg4

I have only two pieces of Victron kit right now and am kicking myself I didn’t go with them first. So much better on so many fronts. A good deal once you start using them.

 

[defed]

I’m just arm chairing here. I don’t have experience with either. I understand the monetary constraints well though.
I’m still somewhat of the opinion that 300-400 dollars more now, for the Victron, may prove wise in 5 years vs saving a few hundred now for the eg4

i agree, mostly, i usually buy better quality when it makes sense. i certainly didn't skimp on the outback, and after, maybe, 10 yrs, it doesn't work. I could have bought 2 AIO's for that (with $ left over). so there's that argument as well. my c/c is xantrex and the inverter was outback....definitely not low end.

 

[Delmar]

No idea if it is "decent"

https://www.amazon.com/WZRELB-3000W-Inverter-Outlets-RBP-300048/dp/B082XSR8JH/

The WZRELB is “good enough” for occasional grid-down usage. I have a 2500W powered by my 48V golf cart, and backfeed my breaker panel. Has performed “reliable” so far and pushed it hard powering my furnace blower through the 2021 Great Houston Freeze.

Caution: there is an issue with the floating (60V) neutral. I always bond and ground the output before powering it on.

I would purchase direct from the manufacturer.

 

[defed]

The WZRELB is “good enough” for occasional grid-down usage. I have a 2500W powered by my 48V golf cart, and backfeed my breaker panel. Has performed “reliable” so far and pushed it hard powering my furnace blower through the 2021 Great Houston Freeze.

Caution: there is an issue with the floating (60V) neutral. I always bond and ground the output before powering it on.

I would purchase direct from the manufacturer.

the similar one that i have, for emergencies, seems OK...i just used it to run my batteries down w/ a small hair dryer. i mostly had it running at 500w and later i ran it at 1500w (1/2 its rating) for maybe 2 hrs as a stress test for it. it survived. but i don't think mine is really pure sine wave as the PC makes a lot of noises on it. it runs tvs and dvrs fine (digital clocks seemed OK), but not sure if the fridge will like it. and i don't feel confident enough in it to keep it hooked up and running 24/7 if i'm not around to keep an eye on it. so i wanted something a little better, which i'd think growatt and eg4 are and victron most certainly is.

 

[Zwy]

i was hoping victron had something, but nothing intrigued me. i have been told you can use just the inverter from an AIO, which makes sense since it still works at night w/o MPPT input...so i may go that route...just use the inverter and eventually transition over as it would clean up/simplify my wiring

Right now I currently installing a pair of MPPT's and just running my LV6548's as inverters. I've had one installed since July 4th and just fed the output to my battery bus.

I read your previous response. Seriously I'd look either at a pair that can do split phase or a single unit that can do split phase. Your power needs aren't high and having the ability to run some split phase items such as the well pump can be accomplished without a large investment.

 

[Zwy]

I have the Victron Phoenix 12/1200. It pumps out 1000W zero issues. I ran our 1850W vacuum on it (2700W surge) and it had zero issues but after 30 seconds it started beeping telling me it was over its limit. It eventually shut down because that’s what it’s designed to do, but I bet it could run just fine for 5 minutes or so at almost double its rating if you could override it. In other words, this thing will likely outlast me.

I remember when I first installed the monitor to determine household usage.

I asked my wife what she was running in the afternoon because the wattage was pretty high. She though about it for a minute and said she was vacuuming. They sure do take some power.

 

[Zwy]

it certainly would, but that is going over the line of budget (to me any way). considering the AIO's can be had for under $700. i was just hoping there was something that took JUST the inverter out of those for say 2/3 the price. i see EG4 has a standalone charger, just not an inverter. it's looking like the AIO may be my best option (aside from fixing my outback).

I have the standalone EG4 MPPT, it works very well, no complaints. Very impressed with it.

I needed higher VOC rating than the LV6548 and the EG4 fit in nicely.

 

[defed]

I have the standalone EG4 MPPT, it works very well, no complaints. Very impressed with it.

I needed higher VOC rating than the LV6548 and the EG4 fit in nicely.

i have the opposite problem....my 10 panels are 36vmp (45voc) and 5imp...i only have them wired series in pairs, so i need a lower voltage rating. 2 reasons i did this....1) my current c/c can only handle 150v input, so 5 in series was too much 2) they are not all exactly the same (4 of one, 6 of the other) so i was happier keeping them paired together - though the specs are close enough that i could probably mix them together for 5 in series.

so i am looking at the growatt spf3000 lvm-48p because it's input range is 60-115v. the ES version is 120-250v. i THINK the sk48v100 will communicate w/ these, but i have to check w/ current connected.

 

[defed]

blank because i hit the wrong button lol

 

[Delmar]

...but i don't think mine is really pure sine wave as the PC makes a lot of noises on it. it runs tvs and dvrs fine (digital clocks seemed OK), but not sure if the fridge will like it.

From my exhaustive YouTube research, the WZRELB appears to have a somewhat decent waveform. I have not noticed issues with any of the electronics in my household, including powering my fridge. I don’t own a desktop PC. The WZRELB may have a problem with the PC power supply switching frequency.

 

[Delmar]

...I don't feel confident enough in it to keep it hooked up and running 24/7 if i'm not around to keep an eye on it. so i wanted something a little better, which i'd think growatt and eg4 are and victron most certainly is.

If you are looking for cheap yet bulletproof (but not efficient) inverter, look for an old APC 3000XL UPS. Waveform is perfection, lots of surge capacity to start motors, and autonomous operation that will switch back to grid power when restored.

The XL models are rated for continuous operation and can be easily identified by the external battery plug.

 

[defed]

If you are looking for cheap yet bulletproof (but not efficient) inverter, look for an old APC 3000XL UPS. Waveform is perfection, lots of surge capacity to start motors, and autonomous operation that will switch back to grid power when restored.

The XL models are rated for continuous operation and can be easily identified by the external battery plug.

holy smokes how big is that thing?!

 

[defed]

i forgot how heavy the outback is...like 3x that of the growatt/eg4. the transformer is massive. i opened it up again to look it over, i need to make a cpl cables so i can hook it up. there are test points all over it, but i don't know what i'm checking for. i found a 'service manual' but it pretty much just tells you how to take the boards and put them back in. i think i may get the control board and see what happens. looks like i should have gotten it 3 yrs ago when it was 'only' $300. it's $400 now.

 

[Zwy]

i have the opposite problem....my 10 panels are 36vmp (45voc) and 5imp...i only have them wired series in pairs, so i need a lower voltage rating. 2 reasons i did this....1) my current c/c can only handle 150v input, so 5 in series was too much 2) they are not all exactly the same (4 of one, 6 of the other) so i was happier keeping them paired together - though the specs are close enough that i could probably mix them together for 5 in series.

I needed higher voltage, array is 420 feet one way distance from house. As I had these wired all in series before and disconnected half of my array to lower the VOC, it gives me the opportunity to show the difference in PV input series vs parallel for a longer distance. Hopefully will have a video done about it in next few weeks.

so i am looking at the growatt spf3000 lvm-48p because it's input range is 60-115v. the ES version is 120-250v. i THINK the sk48v100 will communicate w/ these, but i have to check w/ current connected.

I don't worry about battery communication, it is a feature I don't need. I have the GW SPF3000LVM 24V unit in my truck camper. I found it would keep attempting to boot the SCC off battery if the inverter was off in low light conditions. It would then shutdown as PV couldn't supply enough amps and give the annoying beep. I ended up installing a heavy DC switch to turn off PV in low light conditions.

The Growatt I have has been a solid unit otherwise but I went with MPP for my house. The pair of LV6548's I'm running now that replaced the EG4 6500EX's have been rock solid, clean sine and very capable.

 

[thevizniz]

defed, I am in a similar boat. I have that "Reliable" inverter in my amazon cart ready to buy. I have a Victron 250/70 with 2500 watts of panels ready to hook up (going 48V).. I thought that inverter is ok? doing more research now, on the fence with AIO as well...

 

[G00SE]

i forgot how heavy the outback is...like 3x that of the growatt/eg4. the transformer is massive. i opened it up again to look it over, i need to make a cpl cables so i can hook it up. there are test points all over it, but i don't know what i'm checking for. i found a 'service manual' but it pretty much just tells you how to take the boards and put them back in. i think i may get the control board and see what happens. looks like i should have gotten it 3 yrs ago when it was 'only' $300. it's $400 now.

Clearance - Sales & Promotions - Residential | NAZ Solar Electric

Great deals on solar power equipment. Search our clearance section for up to 50% off!

www.solar-electric.com

I don’t know if this is the board you need or not, they have many others to choose from.
May be worth a look if it is indeed cheaper

 

[defed]

Clearance - Sales & Promotions - Residential | NAZ Solar Electric

Great deals on solar power equipment. Search our clearance section for up to 50% off!

www.solar-electric.com

I don’t know if this is the board you need or not, they have many others to choose from.
May be worth a look if it is indeed cheaper

i did see those, and i should have called to see if they were 'compatible'. i called zonna and he did say another model would work, and in fact it would work better if i was using it to charge lifepo's....i THINK it was the VFX (mine's GVFX). i ordered the original and it came today....it was a bit more than those (which is why i should have called)....the guy at zonna was confident it would be the control board, so i'll see tomorrow when i get it in.