Recommendations for smaller US 240 volt inverter

[Cabin Rising]

At my desolate cabin out in the woods, I finally got tied to the grid. My electric bill is averaging less than $2 of actual usage per month. I still maintain the solar array to keep things powered while I am not there.

This last week, I installed a nice new high efficiency one ton mini split that runs on 240 volts. I am looking for low cost options for a 48 to 240 inverter. Something in the 3000 watt range should work for the mini split. Mainly one of the many chinese off brands that someone might have some experience with.

The inverter can be a portable style. I dont have a problem removing the outlets and hard wiring in for use. I figure there are many that has already gone this route that are working on a very modest budget.

This inverter will power the mini split during peak sun hours to keep reliance on the grid down during the hotter months. I currently have 1800 watts of panels in use and another 3000 ready to install. My final plan is to install 6) 300 watt panels facing south and another 6 facing west on the roof. Both groups of panels will be on separate 30 amp charge controllers. I am currently using a Make Sky Blue control charger that has been in use for the last 4 years without any issue. So will add the same when the other panels are installed.

The mini split according to specifications would draw a max of 7.4 amps. So I think my setup should work. Input from other owners of mini splits this size the actual usage is about half of max amp draw.

I have the outside unit of mini split mounted on the north side, so never gets any sunlight. The cabin is very well insulated and does not take much to keep cool no matter how hot it gets.

 

[Robbert]

If you already have solar charge controllers, you only need an inverter with the functionality to switch to grid in case your batteries are low.
A 3Kva Multiplus is not a lot more expensive than a similar All In One.

Especially the Idle consumption is something I would take into consideration. So I would go for the multiplus

 

[RzrProR]

The inverter can be a portable style.

Hard telling where Pecron's new F5000 will land price wise as they've already tacked on $200 to the $1400 Model 3600 for tariffs yet I thought that they said first or 2nd Quarter at the CES show and that it will do 240V stand alone/heat its own batteries/obviously expand.
Two of the 3600s plus a combiner to accomplish 240V at that price point is still likely one of if not the best deals out there right now at that power level with pass through charging to boot/plenty of cordage included.
I'm not as hung up on idle consumption as each succeeding unit that comes out seems to get better and I frankly think that it is a silly thing to get hung up on unless you like to run the ragged edge design spec.-wise in the first place (just my $.02).

 

[Mattb4]

Just understand that many of the 220V inverters being sold are Euro/Asia standard single phase units. This means that it has one hot leg at 230vAC and one neutral. US standard is 120v/240vAC where you have 2 hot legs of 120vAc (180 degrees apart so that 1 hot leg to the other becomes 240vAC) and a neutral.

A Euro 220vAC unit might not properly run the AirCon.

 

[littleharbor2]

If you do a little footwork and manage to find one because they're rapidly disappearing being that they're not making them anymore, the Schneider SW4024, or SW 4048, is an excellent inverter split phase and made by an American company.

Schneider Electric Conext SW 4024 3400 W 120 / 240 VAC Inverter / Charger - RNW865402421

Schneider Electric Conext SW 4024 3400 W 120 / 240 VAC Inverter / Charger - RNW865402421 EcoDirect.com sells Xantrex at the lowest cost. Order Online or Call Us! 888-899-3509

www.ecodirect.com

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[chrisski]

Will you be running this mini split off the grid also?

Being grid tied would be a bit of a difference in price for the build.

 

[dopeassjackson]

Just understand that many of the 220V inverters being sold are Euro/Asia standard single phase units. This means that it has one hot leg at 230vAC and one neutral. US standard is 120v/240vAC where you have 2 hot legs of 120vAc (180 degrees apart so that 1 hot leg to the other becomes 240vAC) and a neutral.

A Euro 220vAC unit might not properly run the AirCon.

Euro are 50hz and the US uses 60hz. Wont work.

 

[outboard1196]

Euro are 50hz and the US uses 60hz. Wont work.

Not necessarily.

 

[ricardocello]

Euro are 50hz and the US uses 60hz. Wont work.

Most (but not necessarily all) can also be configured for 60 Hz.

 

[Nimrod5]

The Schneier SW 4024 and SW 4048 are discontinued according to NAZ but I have not seen a reduction in price yet. One neat thing about them is that they can take the output of a 120 volt genny and output 240 volts to the load. I was going to buy one but the XW Pro 6048 also went closeout. The price went from $3800 to $1200 so I bought one of them instead. I think there are still a few available from sellers. The XW is a low frequency inverter so can handle large surges from things like a compressor or well pump. Look for SW Pro vs Solarc on Youtube.

 

[Cabin Rising]

I guess there is a need to clarify some things. First I am finally tied to the grid as having electrical power for the first time. Previously I have relied only on solar and small inverter generator when the window unit was in use. My solar is totally separate from poco.

Since there is so much low end chinese off brand solar components, I was looking on the very inexpensive side of an inverter. This inverter could be a smaller one similar like used on travel trailers or motor homes. With so many of these units sold, I figured there are a lot of users having some experience with them.

Many of the Amazon sold inverters claim to be split phase and "pure sine wave", but fail to mention if 50 or 60 hertz. Not enough information to risk purchasing then find out it wont work.

My plan is to run the mini split on solar when feasible. Like peak hours and sunny days. I will install a manual transfer switch and keep tabs on use during the day so not to drain the battery bank.

I appreciate all of the suggestions, and will get this up and running hopefully before summer hits too hard. Just reaching out for all of the information I can get ahold of before taking the plunge.

 

[outboard1196]

I guess there is a need to clarify some things. First I am finally tied to the grid as having electrical power for the first time. Previously I have relied only on solar and small inverter generator when the window unit was in use. My solar is totally separate from poco.

Since there is so much low end chinese off brand solar components, I was looking on the very inexpensive side of an inverter. This inverter could be a smaller one similar like used on travel trailers or motor homes. With so many of these units sold, I figured there are a lot of users having some experience with them.

Many of the Amazon sold inverters claim to be split phase and "pure sine wave", but fail to mention if 50 or 60 hertz. Not enough information to risk purchasing then find out it wont work.

My plan is to run the mini split on solar when feasible. Like peak hours and sunny days. I will install a manual transfer switch and keep tabs on use during the day so not to drain the battery bank.

I appreciate all of the suggestions, and will get this up and running hopefully before summer hits too hard. Just reaching out for all of the information I can get ahold of before taking the plunge.

Split phase is generally a north American thing (60hz) look at the electrical specs for the mini split it may be designed to run on 50 or 60 hz
I haven't seen a low cost split phase inverter

 

[TM48]

If you do a little footwork and manage to find one because they're rapidly disappearing being that they're not making them anymore, the Schneider SW4024, or SW 4048, is an excellent inverter split phase and made by an American company.

Schneider Electric Conext SW 4024 3400 W 120 / 240 VAC Inverter / Charger - RNW865402421

Schneider Electric Conext SW 4024 3400 W 120 / 240 VAC Inverter / Charger - RNW865402421 EcoDirect.com sells Xantrex at the lowest cost. Order Online or Call Us! 888-899-3509

www.ecodirect.com

Pardon Our Interruption...

Schneider is a French company.

 

[Cabin Rising]

When I mentioned a cheap inverter, I meant really cheap. This one off brand, just chinese as you can get has what I am looking for. I did finally confirm this is 60 htz. For what little information is available, I thought that would be worth listing in the specifications.



While portable like for RV, this one is at least able to be hard wired in place. I dont have to tear out the plugs and wire around. With this inverter, it will feed the mini split and everything else in the cabin for most of the day without pulling down to battery voltage. My goal is to cut the amount of time the mini split is running on grid power during the hotter months. If only running a few hours a day or a few days a month, is not any big deal. But if running this all day every day during the summer happens will add up, I can at least counter it somewhat.

This also prepares me towards less reliance on the grid. So not going without power or grid is down for any length of time.

I was hoping since reading about people using the PowMr and other lesser brands, that maybe there are a few with some experience using other off brand components available.

3000W 48V Pure Sine Wave Inverter, 48 Volt DC to AC 120V 240V Split Phase Power Inverter, 6KW Surge, 5 AC Outlets, AC Hardwire Terminal, High Efficiency up to 91.6%, Wireless Remote​

So the title says it all. If capable of anything close to what it claims, should work. As always I am taking a gamble. But so far nothing else has failed me yet. There is always a first time.

 

[littleharbor2]

So have you already got a 48 volt MPPT charge controller and 48 volt bank of batteries including cabling and fusing?

This is where the all in ones come in pretty competitive being that there's much less wiring they have a built in charge controller and many times they're even less than a high end MPPT charge controller.

 

[Mattb4]

I have a WZRELB 24vDC -7000W split phase inverter. It is OK but struggles if you load it much above 70% at maintaining voltage. That is with a large battery bank and sufficient cabling. Your 3000W at 48vDC might be better at reaching its rating but I would not run things that had a startup surge above the 3kW.

 

[ChrisG]

Ready can’t get any better than a Samlex for that size. These are about as robust as they come and already in split phase.

EVO-4248SP Split Phase 48V Inverter/Charger | Samlex America

With the Samlex EVO-4248SP split phase inverter/charger you get a 48V, 4200W unit with 120/240 VAC input and output to power all your necessities.

samlexamerica.com

 

[OzSolar]

Sounds like you're not in a hurry. With a little patience and some time spent search something will pop up locally on Craigslist or FB Market Place. Sometimes these deals are almost free. EG: new homeowner (or recent widow, etc.) doesn't want the old solar gear and just needs someone to remove it.

 

[Cabin Rising]

So have you already got a 48 volt MPPT charge controller and 48 volt bank of batteries including cabling and fusing?

This is where the all in ones come in pretty competitive being that there's much less wiring they have a built in charge controller and many times they're even less than a high end MPPT charge controller.

My current solar array has been in use for the last 5 years. 48 volt 180ah with a 30 amp MPPT control charger powered by 1720 watts of panels. It has far exceeded my expectations. The batteries are old telecom suitcase type that I picked up at a scrap yard. Very heavy, solid and not a hick-up so far. They have never dropped below 50 volts overnight. They power the lights, ceiling fans, TV, PC, chest freezer, and occasional use of small microwave. When these eventually give out, then I will replace them with 200ah Lifepo and hope for even better.



During the day I have no shortage of power even with everything running at the same time. Even with plenty to spare. Only the days of repeated heavy black rain clouds do I loose most of the panels output. There are 4) 280 watt panels on the south facing roof. This is a shallow pitch roof covering the deck in front of cabin. I get full use of panels just soon as sunlight covers them in the morning. By 9 o'clock until around three they are good.

The cabin is sitting under a heavy canopy of oak trees, This south side does not get any sun until around 9am. So being mounted without much angle, works out well. It picks up the bulk of direct sunlight overhead from late morning until early afternoon.



On the west facing roof, which is very steep, I have 2 )300 watt panels catching sunlight until it sets. These come into play around 3 in the afternoon until loosing light. These were temp'ed in some years ago. They need to be raised off the roof and finished out the right way. I have the other 4 panels ready to add to west facing roof here along with another 30 amp control charger. Just need to find a spare set of hands not scared of climbing ladders to help out. But most likely will be doing it by myself.

Right now the panels are wired 2s3p, If I have that right. Three pairs of panels in series then paralleled. When all 12 of the panels are in place, then change over to 3s4p if I got that one right. 4 sets of three panels in series then paralleled. The south facing panels to one CC and the west facing panels to another CC.

Wiring this way, power to each CC is 135 volts at 18 amps. This way I dont need a larger CC, but adding another one the same size. I have a dozen 315 watt panels waiting to swap out with these older ones so everything is the same.

The idea here is having two separate 1800+ watt arrays catching light all day long utilizing the roof angles best I can work out. Right now with only the two panels on west roof, I have a dead spot around 2:30 to 3:00. Output drops off a lot until the sun is more directly hitting west facing roof. Adding the other 4 panels here should help offset that. Right now the 6 existing panels are sharing one CC. I add two more panels on the south facing roof and 4 more on the west facing roof then should have more than enough for my needs.