Are there any inverter/charges for under $500 that don't suck?

[Dzl]

Also, I was wondering, does anybody use two inverters, one big and one little?
I'll explain..

The only AC load I require running 24/7 is my mini fridge which is I believe only 50-60W, and other than that my basic electric needs will be DC (lights, electronics charging, fans, etc..)
So it seems sort of silly to have an inverter that draws power on standby when I am barely using any of its power.
Is it logical to get a small 150W inverter (something like this, but would maybe try and find a 150w) and run the fridge off of that 24/7, and then only turn on and use the full size 2Kw inverter when necessary?

Yes, this is a fairly common situation in marine and mobile systems (for the same reasons you are considering it). As @Hedges mentioned you need to watch out and make sure the startup surge from the fridge is not too much for your inverter to handle. But if the fridges normally draws 50-60W something like this could likely handle the surge without a problem.

@Hedges I have heard a few times that fridges + inverter sleep/eco modes sometimes don't play nice together. I have not looked into this and don't recall why. Do you know anything about this?

 

[Hedges]

@Hedges I have heard a few times that fridges + inverter sleep/eco modes sometimes don't play nice together. I have not looked into this and don't recall why. Do you know anything about this?

A guess - the defrost timer? My cube fridge doesn't have one, but upright freezer has a mechanical timer to enable heating element periodically.
If that is the issue, could either disable it or adjust minimum current of inverter (assuming it is programmable)

 

[HaldorEE]

Also, I was wondering, does anybody use two inverters, one big and one little?
I'll explain..

The only AC load I require running 24/7 is my mini fridge which is I believe only 50-60W, and other than that my basic electric needs will be DC (lights, electronics charging, fans, etc..)
So it seems sort of silly to have an inverter that draws power on standby when I am barely using any of its power.
Is it logical to get a small 150W inverter (something like this, but would maybe try and find a 150w) and run the fridge off of that 24/7, and then only turn on and use the full size 2Kw inverter when necessary?

I would rather just buy a fridge that runs off 12VDC.

I am pretty happy with the IceGo I bought. These have low voltage disconnects built into them so they won't drain your battery to death.

ICECOFreezer.com - ICECO - Portable Fridge 12Volt Refrigerator

ICECO is a brand which manufacturing portable fridge 12volt refrigerator freezer with Danfoss SECOPE compressor. ICECO portable fridge are widely used in automobiles, yachts, RVs, trucks, commercial vehicles, and medical units.

icecofreezer.com

I have the smaller Iceco G20, but I think this one is a very compelling option for more people, longer trips.

VL60 Dual Zone Fridge Freezer with Cover

ICECO VL60 12V refrigerator with cover, portable refrigerator on the move help you keep food fresh. Powered by Danfoss(Secop) compressor compact fridge Compact refrigerator walmart refrigerator refrigerator freezer best refrigerator

icecofreezer.com

 

[Dzl]

A guess - the defrost timer? My cube fridge doesn't have one, but upright freezer has a mechanical timer to enable heating element periodically.
If that is the issue, could either disable it or adjust minimum current of inverter (assuming it is programmable)

Possibly yes. Or possibly something to do with the thermostat / duty cycle? If thermostats were no longer mechanical it would need some power to cycle on/off wouldn't it?

 

[Bobzie]

I know i'll get yelled at but power jack is my chose.

 

[Dzl]

I know i'll get yelled at but power jack is my chose.

I promise not to yell ? buuuuuut...
I can't resist posting this 12V Power Jack inverter with an advertised 8,000W continuous 32,000W peak ?and a tropical beach scene on the front for $499..






8,000W @ 12v = 670A with inefficiency probably closer to 800A
32,000W @ 12v with inefficiency = over 3,100A

And this perplexing note in the description..

1.Note: this item is 12V DC Input, usually when you use big power,the best Input voltage is 12V,because the amp will become small, will not cause the inverter getting so hot, if inverter not hot, the efficiency will arrive 2-3%,means can go to 92-94%, also your battery bank can keep very good performance! watt=volt x amp, once your voltage getting high, your amp will become small.

(to be fair that comes from the seller which may or may not be the maker)

 

[Gazoo]

?and a tropical beach scene on the front for

Free...lol.

 

[Pragmatica]

I know i'll get yelled at but power jack is my chose.

I promise not to yell ? buuuuuut...,
i seen this one on the internet
there is no day at the beach,
but you get a KeyFob.

 

[charly]

Getting above $500, obviously, but the Sigineer 3kw 12v Inverter / Charger of 70 amps at $659:

3000 Watt Inverter Charger 12 Volt to 120Vac Amp GFCI Outlet - Pure Sine Wave

Inverter charger 3000 watts, 12V to 110V 120V PSW output, 20A GFCI outlet. Low frequency power inverter with 80A battery charger. Efficient and Rugged.

www.sigineer.com

has a $70 remote panel:

Remote On/Off Switch with LCD Monitoring Screen for Any Power Combi, PSW7, High Power Inverter Charger

Remote Control On/Off Switch with LCD Monitoring Screen for Any Power Combi , PSW7, High Power Inverter Chargers. Compatible with SNMP card for remote monitoring and DC Voltage Detector for remote on/off control.

www.sigineer.com

that now has dry contact relay input capability when connected to this $89 DC Voltage Detector, so you can specify

1 Low Battery Cutoff	Relay A gets from Close to Open	Dry Contact on RLCD	6-17v	13-34V	26-68V
2 Low Battery Recovery	Relay A gets from Open to Close	Dry Contact on RLCD	7-18V	14-35V	28-70v
3 Frequency Switch	Relay B gets from Open to Close	60/62.5hz Dry Contact	7-18V	14-35V	28-70V
4 Frequency Recovery	Relay B gets from Close to Open	60/62.5hz Dry Contact	6-17V	13-34V	26-68V
5 AC Charger Cutoff	Relay C gets from Close to Open	Remote Control of AC Input Breaker	7-18V	14-35V	28-70V
6 AC Charger Recovery	Relay C gets from Open to Close	Remote Control of AC Input Breaker	6-17V	13-34V	26-68V
7 Screen Timeout	10 to 60 mins, 99 represents constant on
8 Audio Alarm	99 represents constant on, 00 presents off

DC Voltage Detector

Model #: DCDTC Free shipping to the USA, Canada & Puerto Rico by courier. This DC voltage detector work with Sigineer Power’s RLCD and circuit breaker. It can remotely shut off battery charger, inverter and change the inverter output freq.

www.sigineer.com

With Free Shipping to US from Sigineer, that totals $818

 

[HaldorEE]

Getting above $500, obviously, but the Sigineer 3kw 12v Inverter / Charger of 70 amps has a $70 remote panel that now has dry contact relay input capability

Combine the Sigineer with a decent battery monitor and you could have a reasonable system.

Do you have to buy the remote panel to use the relay input? Does it have more than one relay input so you can control charging and load separately?

 

[charly]

The contacts for the DC Voltage Detector are on the remote panel.

The only other information I have is this :

https://www.sigineer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/DC-Voltage-Detector-Spec-Sheet-20191205.pdf

And the manual for the inverter/charger is here:

https://www.sigineer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Sigineer-Power-1.5-6KW-Any-Power-Combi-Inverter-Charger-Owners-Manual.pdf

Using the Battery Type selector switch on the inverter/ charger, these are the charging profiles, AGM1 looks promising:
Battery type selectorSwitch
settingDescription Boost/Vdc, Float/Vdc
0 Charger Off
1 Gel USA 14.0 13.7
2 AGM 1 14.1 13.4
3 AGM 2 / Lithium Battery 14.6 13.7
4 Sealed lead acid 14.4 13.6
5 Gel EURO 14.4 13.8
6 Open lead acid 14.8 13.3
7 Calcium 15.1 13.6
8 De sulphation 15.5 (4 Hours then Off)
9 Not used
12Vdc Mode (*2 for 24Vdc ; *4 for 48Vdc)

 

[schmism]

So now that we have covered all the ridiculous labeled china inverters, Why arn't we considering an all-in-one?

3kw Growatt in 24v or 48v is ~$700 and includes a 80a MPPT, AC charging, and data monitoring. Its a no brainer.

 

[Maast]

So now that we have covered all the ridiculous labeled china inverters, Why arn't we considering an all-in-one?

3kw Growatt in 24v or 48v is ~$700 and includes a 80a MPPT, AC charging, and data monitoring. Its a no brainer.

I've been very interested in the Growatts, if you would be so kind could you measure your idle loss? Idle loss being the power used by the inverter with no load on it but its not on 'standby'.
Thanks!

 

[schmism]

I've been very interested in the Growatts, if you would be so kind could you measure your idle loss? Idle loss being the power used by the inverter with no load on it but its not on 'standby'.
Thanks!

I was showing a friend last night and noted that the Shunt said 75w for my 2 units (37w each) while in grid bypass.

 

[Maast]

I was showing a friend last night and noted that the Shunt said 75w for my 2 units (37w each) while in grid bypass.

Thank you, thats a little high for a 3kw unit but not terrible.

 

[schmism]

Thank you, thats a little high for a 3kw unit but not terrible.

with LCD screen and SCC built in sooooo

 

[Skid]

This is another tempting All-In-One option. I'm going by AussieSim's review of another inverter from Snadi. That one is just too big and heavy for me but this all in one seems to have it all, and is also low frequency for about $630 delivered to the US. I had considered 2 3000w Growatts but having the surge factor in this- hypothetical since they don't mention that nor the idle power use. I might have to contact them later today.

3kw 24v 48v Off Grid Low Frequency Pure Sine Wave 60a Mppt Hybrid Solar Power Inverter Converters - Buy Inverter inverters Converters power Inverter Product on Alibaba.com

3kw 24v 48v Off Grid Low Frequency Pure Sine Wave 60a Mppt Hybrid Solar Power Inverter Converters - Buy Inverter inverters Converters power Inverter Product on Alibaba.com

www.alibaba.com

 

[schmism]

This is another tempting option.

If you risk it let us know how it goes.
1) its half the cost of a HF china inverter like growatt/mpp
2) its 1/3 the cost of a LF china inverter like growatt.

 

[Gazoo]

This is another tempting All-In-One option. I'm going by AussieSim's review of another inverter from Snadi. That one is just too big and heavy for me but this all in one seems to have it all, and is also low frequency for about $630 delivered to the US. I had considered 2 3000w Growatts but having the surge factor in this- hypothetical since they don't mention that nor the idle power use. I might have to contact them later today.

3kw 24v 48v Off Grid Low Frequency Pure Sine Wave 60a Mppt Hybrid Solar Power Inverter Converters - Buy Inverter inverters Converters power Inverter Product on Alibaba.com

3kw 24v 48v Off Grid Low Frequency Pure Sine Wave 60a Mppt Hybrid Solar Power Inverter Converters - Buy Inverter inverters Converters power Inverter Product on Alibaba.com

www.alibaba.com

I inquired about that one and had Camille send me the manual. This is what the overload is rated at: 110-120%/30S；＞160%/300ms；No mention of the idle draw. It does look like a sweet item.

People that have bought their stuff seem happy with it from the YouTube videos I have watched. I decided on the FT-B 2KW since I was looking for a UPS with an external battery hookup and shipping was easier. I paid $169.00 plus shipping. Total was $404.00. Camille told me they could not set the LVD unless I bought a bunch of them.,,,lol. Oh well, it uses the same profiles as the one mateo ordered and the manual is basically the same. So basically I am getting the same thing mateo ordered but in a bigger box. If it works like it's supposed to it will be perfect for me.

I also discovered the inverter @mateo ordered is sold by Snadi. I am thinking there are various suppliers selling this stuff and it's all coming from a central factory.

I have attached the manual for the MPPT. You will have to unzip it. NOTE: I too was impressed with Aussiesim's review and he got a sweet deal. But still use caution if buying from Snadi. I will do a review of mine when I receive it. I hope it's shipped before the Chinese New Year.

​

 

[AussieSim]

This is another tempting All-In-One option. I'm going by AussieSim's review of another inverter from Snadi. That one is just too big and heavy for me but this all in one seems to have it all, and is also low frequency for about $630 delivered to the US. I had considered 2 3000w Growatts but having the surge factor in this- hypothetical since they don't mention that nor the idle power use. I might have to contact them later today.

3kw 24v 48v Off Grid Low Frequency Pure Sine Wave 60a Mppt Hybrid Solar Power Inverter Converters - Buy Inverter inverters Converters power Inverter Product on Alibaba.com

3kw 24v 48v Off Grid Low Frequency Pure Sine Wave 60a Mppt Hybrid Solar Power Inverter Converters - Buy Inverter inverters Converters power Inverter Product on Alibaba.com

www.alibaba.com

Hi Skid,

Alibaba advertisements aren't always completely accurate as they often cover multiple SKUs.

Confirm with Camille that this is a low freq inverter, what its weight is, photos of the insides, and whether it can be built to the voltage/Hz you need (ie 240V and not 220V)