24V Inverter

niles500 · February 18, 2015, 07:16:56 PM

When you need service Magnum will be winner - FWIW

RJ · February 19, 2015, 12:36:43 AM

The Magnum Hybrid 4000 Brian mentioned earlier is what Chrome Dome has in his MC-5C, and I'm seriously considering picking one up myself. The Tortoise's electrical is very late '70s and could use an upgrade.

Seems this model is running about $2300 on various online retailers.

FWIW & HTH. . .

Oonrahnjay · February 19, 2015, 04:14:38 AM

Quote from: RJ on February 19, 2015, 12:36:43 AMThe Magnum Hybrid 4000 Brian mentioned earlier is what Chrome Dome has in his MC-5C, and I'm seriously considering picking one up myself. ...

Thanks. The specs on this one appear to indicate that it does genuine "load sharing" -- i.e. if you are on a 15 amp shore power supply and The Management plugs in a coffee maker while she runs her hair dryer and pulls 20 amps, it will still only pull 15 amp from the shore power and supplement temporarily with battery power, then recharge the batteries when the load is reduced. Is it correct that it does this? I also want "smart charging", a low-battery auto generator start capacity, and the similar things you'd expect from a modern inverter/charger. Is there anything that this unit lacks? I *really* don't want to buy a second inverter and be disappointed again.

Quote from: RJ on February 19, 2015, 12:36:43 AMFWIW & HTH. . .

It sure does! Where I come from, "here's how I think spending my money is smart" is worth a lot more than "here's how I think you should spend your money".

digesterman · February 19, 2015, 04:55:24 AM

My outback does everything including starting the gen, maybe you got a cheaper stripped down model oompah jay? They are built to military specs and are used in labs that need precise voltage. Maybe you hooked it up wrong?

Tikvah · February 19, 2015, 05:37:36 AM

I'm been saving my pennies for this one:
http://www.theinverterstore.com/3000-watt-pure-sine-inverter-charger-24-volt.html

Oonrahnjay · February 19, 2015, 05:49:56 AM

Quote from: digesterman on February 19, 2015, 04:55:24 AMMy outback does everything including starting the gen, maybe you got a cheaper stripped down model oompah jay? They are built to military specs and are used in labs that need precise voltage. Maybe you hooked it up wrong?

Maybe I did get it hooked up wrong, and the gen start works just fine. And I love the "Mate" controller; it's a simple and logical "tree" arrangement to set the parameters. In fact, it works well except for the "load sharing" which the tech guy at Outback says that it is NOT designed to do. If you go over the limits set on input amperage, it goes over to 100% draw off the batteries.
I am pretty sure that I got the full-featured model (it's small - a FX 2012 MT but it seems to have all the features, except for the load-sharing). I've been all over the programming manual and discussed it with the Outback tech guy. It's a great unit in a lot of ways but if you're forced into limited shore power arrangements (as I am) it has a pretty substantial drawback.

Oonrahnjay · February 19, 2015, 05:57:12 AM

Quote from: Tikvah on February 19, 2015, 05:37:36 AMI'm been saving my pennies for this one:
http://www.theinverterstore.com/3000-watt-pure-sine-inverter-charger-24-volt.html

Thanks, Dave. Yeah, that looks like a lot of performance for not much $$$, I think I need to make a spreadsheet to matrix features and capabilities. But if I'm going to an inverter that will make power off batteries charged by a 50DN 24V generator "down the road", I think it appears worth going to a 4K unit. I'll look to see if they have a 4K version in that line.

(Edit: Yep, under $1000.)

digesterman · February 19, 2015, 06:02:58 AM

In one case my starts the gen when needed, in another there is a iota charger built into the system that supplements power as needed, if the power requirements exceed those capabilities then the outback starts gen. I have a pretty complex system in my coach, will have to look again at what it is doing when power needs exceed battery capacity and BEFORE it triggers gen. There must be a point where it (system) utilizes shore power, even if limited. Jon has outbacks too, wonder if he knows the steps that are taken when additional power is needed with limited shore power.

Oonrahnjay · February 19, 2015, 06:14:35 AM

Quote from: digesterman on February 19, 2015, 06:02:58 AMIn one case my starts the gen when needed, in another there is a iota charger built into the system that supplements power as needed, if the power requirements exceed those capabilities then the outback starts gen. I have a pretty complex system in my coach, will have to look again at what it is doing when power needs exceed battery capacity and BEFORE it triggers gen. There must be a point where it (system) utilizes shore power, even if limited. Jon has outbacks too, wonder if he knows the steps that are taken when additional power is needed with limited shore power.

Thanks, Lee. All this electrical and electronic stuff is not my strong suit and I very well may be doing something incorrect/stupid. I have an unusually small fuel capacity, too, so I have to be careful with the generator starting often and/or with long run times (this is an issue I plan to rectify but I have more pressing work on my plate in the short term). Thanks for your thoughts on this; I agree that the Outback has a lot to love and it seems solid as a rock -- based on my experience with mine, I'd recommend them in a minute to someone for whom the power sharing issue isn't important -- it's just that they don't seem to take care of my (probably rare and unusual) pressing need.

bevans6 · February 19, 2015, 06:42:10 AM

Quote from: Tikvah on February 19, 2015, 05:37:36 AM
I'm been saving my pennies for this one:
http://www.theinverterstore.com/3000-watt-pure-sine-inverter-charger-24-volt.html

Tikvah, I had one of those (or a clone, they sell through a number of different brands) and it burnt out it's output section when my air conditioner started once. Totally ruined, could not be repaired, was a couple of weeks out of warranty and the factory said we'll give you 10% off on a new one. Mind you, they gave everyone 10% off on a new one.

I personally wouldn't touch one with a ten foot pole, but that's just me and my experience. It's also why it took me close to a year to finally commit to a new Magnum. I was scared silly I was wasting another very large chunk of change.

Brian

bevans6 · February 19, 2015, 06:44:56 AM

I think the only thing the magnum doesn't do is piggyback to get split phase 240 volt for dryer's and such. I think they have other home-oriented models for that.

Brian

Jon · February 19, 2015, 07:39:46 AM

As Lee points out I do have a pair of Outback inverters and they have an abundance of features, but my coach is set up so a generator protection device takes over the role of auto-starting the generator.

Since I rarely dry camp I have set my inverters for the lowest possible charge rate so if the charger kicks in when I am on the power pole and using a lot of current to run AC units plus a lot of other goodies I will not trip the breaker, plus I am not in favor of a lot of the features built in so I manually manage power and do not rely on the inverter capabilities. Call me old school.

About pure sine wave, the need for it is real. More and more devices including appliances will not function properly or will have premature failures if they are run on modified sine wave. Refrigerators are significantly affected, but anything with an electric motor could also be affected. Even if your coach has older appliances it makes sense to use pure sine wave so if you do upgrade your invertrers will take care of the new appliances.

eagle19952 · February 19, 2015, 07:45:21 AM

Quote from: Oonrahnjay on February 19, 2015, 05:57:12 AM
Thanks, Dave. Yeah, that looks like a lot of performance for not much $$$, I think I need to make a spreadsheet to matrix features and capabilities. But if I'm going to an inverter that will make power off batteries charged by a 50DN 24V generator "down the road", I think it appears worth going to a 4K unit. I'll look to see if they have a 4K version in that line.

(Edit: Yep, under $1000.)

this would be a trickle charger on a large house bank .... and makes no mention of 4 stage charging, i would do much more research here.
Charger Specifications:
Output voltage: Depends on battery Type
Charger Rate: 45A

digesterman · February 19, 2015, 10:18:02 AM

According to Outback they have the systems that do indeed have the load sharing features.
Pure sine wave only way to go, have used both for many many years and PS is so far superior and the cost has came down so much it would really be foolish not to go that route. To each his own tho

Iceni John · February 19, 2015, 12:03:59 PM

Quote from: Tikvah on February 19, 2015, 05:37:36 AM
I'm been saving my pennies for this one:
http://www.theinverterstore.com/3000-watt-pure-sine-inverter-charger-24-volt.html

Brian's right - this looks like one of the infamous AIMS inverters that The Inverter Store so likes to sell. I'm also researching for an inverter, and everything I've read so far tells me they're a complete waste of money. I'm narrowing my choices down to probably something from Cotek (who make most of Samlex's, Go Power's and several other brands' inverters, and are well-regarded among the affordable inverters). On paper AIMS look good, but their poor internal quality will result in much gnashing of teeth and renting of garments when it inevitably lets out the magic smoke. Victron is another brand of well-regarded inverter, made in Europe.

John