Inverter, Samlex america PST-3000-12 - Looking for Feedback

dtcerrato · January 14, 2018, 09:20:35 AM

Looking for feedback on the Samlex america Inverter, PST-3000-12. 12 VDC - 120VAC. I noticed they're made in BC Canada. Between the size constraints and output this looks to be the best unit after much shopping. I want to place it in the compartment the old regulator came out of when I upgraded to an alternator. The 3-0 cables are right there to connect into! Didn't quite need 3000 watts, a 2500 watt unit would do the trick, 2000 isn't enough but the quality & sizing don't work. Amazon has this unit for $976 & change, Don Rowe has it on sale for $952 & change. Any feedback would be appreciated.

bevans6 · January 14, 2018, 09:27:24 AM

Made in China, distributed and imported via British Columbia. Possibly designed in Canada as well. I had a Samlex, different model (24 volt 4000 watt). An overload condition blew all it's output Mosfets, it was a few weeks out of warranty, zero support, they offered to sell me a replacement for over street price. Bought a Magnum. The overload was the result of an automatic switch (shore power switched off) while the air conditioner was running. The inverter tried to start the AC unit with the compressor under full load, which was more the fault of the AC than the inverter, but the total lack of factory support was all Samlex.

dtcerrato · January 14, 2018, 09:37:10 AM

I appreciate the feedback bevans6. How long was it in service before that problem? Did you have an inline fuse protecting against overload? If so would have thought that would go before interior burnout... The lack of support is never good but usually an issue especially with imports. Can't find anything near the Samlex for size that will work. You got me thinking though, thanks.

Iceni John · January 14, 2018, 10:11:36 AM

Samlex is just one of several brand names on inverters made by Cotek in Taiwan. Coteks (Kotex?) are better than most other mainland-Chinese inverters, but a long way from the quality of a Magnum or Exeltech. I've also heard from others about their derisable "customer service", so you'd be better off buying a USA-made inverter. If you do still want to get a Samlex, their SA-series inverters can handle difficult reactive loads better than the less expensive PST-series.

I was going to buy a Samlex SA-2000K-12 inverter and a separate charger, but then I realized that those two with their remote panels would have cost me a few hundred dollars more than buying a factory-refurbished Magnum MS2000 and new Magnum remote panel! I feel that a refurb Magnum will probably outlast any brand-new Samlex, and if it does fail it is field-serviceable with readily-available parts and technical help. The Magnum has a PF-corrected 3-stage charger that's probably as good as, or better than, any separate charger from any other company.

John

chessie4905 · January 14, 2018, 10:28:31 AM

Why not buy this one, get an extended warranty and pickup up a second for a spare. Put in an overload fuse also. Or the 2000 watt and get two spares.

bobofthenorth · January 14, 2018, 01:09:00 PM

I'm probably the cheapest SOB you'll ever meet and I've bought plenty of Chinese crap but I wouldn't trust a Chinese inverter. There's a bunch of reasons - its kind of a mission critical piece of equipment, if it puts out dirty power it will mess with motors and computer power adapters, its prone to making heat which means the electronics need to be durable. If it was me I'd be looking for a low hours Magnum or older Trace/Heart unit. Its pretty easy to find takeouts from solar installations that are being upsized or that didn't work out. That's what I'd be looking for.

chessie4905 · January 14, 2018, 01:27:30 PM

Oops, missed reference.

https://www.harborfreight.com/3000-watt-continuous6000-watt-peak-power-inverter-63430.html

Iceni John · January 14, 2018, 04:52:30 PM

Quote from: chessie4905 on January 14, 2018, 01:27:30 PM
Oops, missed reference.

https://www.harborfreight.com/3000-watt-continuous6000-watt-peak-power-inverter-63430.html

It's not a sine-wave inverter - it's a modified square-wave inverter that will cause problems with some electronics (assuming it lasts long enough to do so . . .). Square-wave inverters are fine for purely resistive loads like electric water heaters and oil-filled space heaters and incandescent lights, but why would anyone be using their house batteries for that anyway?!

I bought my refurb Magnum from Wholesale Solar, but I don't know if they still offer them: https://www.wholesalesolar.com/power-inverters#magnum-energy-off-grid-refurbished Maybe there's another retailer of refurbs?

John

Stormcloud · January 14, 2018, 05:19:48 PM

I purchased Chinese-made 5000 watt inverters for my all-electric coach. Several times. I think I replaced an inverter every year or 2, and definitely none was from overload condition.

I bought a GoPower 3000 last year. Way better specs, and some more $$$ but not a whole lot. I immediately noticed it weights likely double what the Chinese-made one did. This is a good thing!

I still have a Chinese unit as a standby (spare) hoping that I never need it.

chessie4905 · January 14, 2018, 06:31:43 PM

It says modified sine wave. I notice that your reference lists many modified sine wave also at half the price of pure sine wave units. I would think the choice would be depending on what you use it to power. Also price if you are trying to spend only less money to at least to have an inverter of some kind. BTW, the old trace units that everyone likes are modified sine wave. Like the 2512 unit.

dtcerrato · January 14, 2018, 06:38:48 PM

I'm now leaning towards a Magnum MS2812. We like the 2800 wattage rating & the 125 A charger feature. Will have to modify the compartment it's going in. It puzzles me why the installation manual shows 4 0 cable size. Can't imagine that the 3 0 original bus cable wouldn't suffice on that kind of wattage! Comments invited.

Iceni John · January 14, 2018, 07:31:38 PM

Quote from: dtcerrato on January 14, 2018, 06:38:48 PM
I'm now leaning towards a Magnum MS2812. We like the 2800 wattage rating & the 125 A charger feature. Will have to modify the compartment it's going in. It puzzles me why the installation manual shows 4 0 cable size. Can't imagine that the 3 0 original bus cable wouldn't suffice on that kind of wattage! Comments invited.

I use 4/0 for my 2000W Magnum. You really don't want any DC voltage drop when powering an inverter, otherwise the current increases. Current makes heat, and heat is wasted power (and a potential fire risk). Inverter cables should be short and fat.

John

eagle19952 · January 14, 2018, 09:04:46 PM

i have used MSW's since ever, Trace and Xantrex Freedom since 2000. 18 years and have lost nothing. Never owned a PSW.

microwaves flat screens stereos electronics computers refrigerator zip nada nothing.

richard5933 · January 15, 2018, 02:35:54 AM

I can't report on the durability of the Samlex inverters, but I did just receive a Samlex PST 2000-12 last week and am waiting to get it installed this spring. It is quite substantial and (to me) seems to weigh considerably more than the equivalent size in the lesser priced units.

My goal was a 2000-watt inverter with hardwire capabilities. This was recommended by the tech at DonRowe.com as it is better suited for a higher duty cycle.

We'll see. I'll report once it's installed.

bevans6 · January 15, 2018, 03:55:16 AM

When my Samlex blew on overload it's input fuses all blew, and the output breaker did not open, so it was a pretty fast event. I don't know if another unit might have survived, but one reason I chose the magnum was it's built in transfer switch with a delay, which would have given the air conditioner time to turn off and lock out the compressor (it has timer so the compressor can't start too soon after stopping). My main reason for posting was the customer service, or total lack thereof, for a post warranty repair. My unit was just over two years old when it failed. Buying from Don Rowe is probably a very good choice compared to the generic internet source I bought from.