Aims inverter/chargers

TomC · August 22, 2017, 08:47:55 AM

Anyone using the Aims inverter/charger? I'm looking at the PICOGLF30W12V120V. 3,000 watt pure sine wave running on 12v putting out 120v either 50 or 60hz, and 100amp 3stage charger. Kicker is it is $809 compared to the Magnum 2,800 watt pure sine for nearly $2,000.
Any good or bad? Good Luck, TomC

luvrbus · August 22, 2017, 08:59:37 AM

Don Rowe sold it for a while call him @800-367-3019 he can answer your question

Oonrahnjay · August 22, 2017, 09:49:48 AM

Quote from: TomC on August 22, 2017, 08:47:55 AMAnyone using the Aims inverter/charger? ...

I was looking a few years ago and heard so many random bad things about AIMS that I dropped them off my list quickly. Maybe it was all BS complaining, maybe things have changed -- can't say for now, but if they have a good reputation now, it's a big difference from 4 years ago.

TomC · August 22, 2017, 10:14:09 AM

Talked to Kyle at Don Rowe, and they don't even carry Aims because of bad manufacturers support. For the Magnum 2,800 pure sine wave, gave me a price of $1,700. For the Magnum Hybrid 3,000 $1,850-both extra $159 for remote panel. Going to look at donrowe.com. Good Luck, TomC

windtrader · August 22, 2017, 01:22:44 PM

Tom,
I don't know much about that brand. I have a 20 year old Generac and support for the RV line is pretty thin now. So, even big brand names can experience less than expected support.

Personally, anything I buy that will need fixing log time down the road, the more weight I put on brand. Product support, quality, reliability, and durability are my key decision criteria. Of course price/value is important too. Don

dtcerrato · August 22, 2017, 01:29:41 PM

We're getting close to ordering the GTSUN 3000 Watt inverter. Doesn't have bells & whistles, no outlets - need to hard wire it. 12 volt, 75 amp charger. Low frequency, surge 3x rated output for 20 seconds. We've researched it and will probably give it a try. $709 on Amazon.

Darkspeed · August 22, 2017, 05:19:31 PM

If I needed a 12v/3000w inverter this would be my choice.

https://www.amazon.com/Victron-Energy-Multiplus-Inverter-Charger/dp/B01AD2MJSK/

eagle19952 · August 22, 2017, 08:50:16 PM

Quote from: Darkspeed on August 22, 2017, 05:19:31 PM
If I needed a 12v/3000w inverter this would be my choice.

https://www.amazon.com/Victron-Energy-Multiplus-Inverter-Charger/dp/B01AD2MJSK/

Really:
April 19, 2017
Verified Purchase
Supplier was right on time, right product. My third one of these units.Only buy because this model was originally installed in my boat. Have had 5 failures. Very confusing to operate and understand. Have never had the number of serious problems/failures with an inverter. Have had inverters on 3 boats and 2 RV's never had total failures like I have had with Victron.
The manufacturer's tech support has not been able to help me understand this units operating characteristics.

luvrbus · August 22, 2017, 09:09:17 PM

Quote from: eagle19952 on August 22, 2017, 08:50:16 PM
Really:
April 19, 2017
Verified Purchase
Supplier was right on time, right product. My third one of these units.Only buy because this model was originally installed in my boat. Have had 5 failures. Very confusing to operate and understand. Have never had the number of serious problems/failures with an inverter. Have had inverters on 3 boats and 2 RV's never had total failures like I have had with Victron.
The manufacturer's tech support has not been able to help me understand this units operating characteristics.

When I sold our boat that was part of the deal I remove the Victron inverters which wasn't a problem they didn't work anyways,marine dealers were about the only places that would service the Victron a few years ago they may have a better network now I don't know

bevans6 · August 23, 2017, 03:59:13 AM

I had an AIMS inverter sold under another name, a different model than you are looking at. It failed from a surge overload (air conditioner tried to restart with the compressor fully loaded), blew all of the 24v dc input fuses (they used 10 30 amp fuses in parallel) and blew the output FETs. It was about a week out of warranty, their service offer was a 10% discount off list on a new inverter. Since the street price was 40% off list, I declined their offer. Magnum 4024 in the bay now.

dtcerrato · August 23, 2017, 08:28:37 AM

"I had an AIMS inverter sold under another name, a different model than you are looking at. It failed from a surge overload (air conditioner tried to restart with the compressor fully loaded), blew all of the 24v dc input fuses (they used 10 30 amp fuses in parallel) and blew the output FETs. It was about a week out of warranty, their service offer was a 10% discount off list on a new inverter. Since the street price was 40% off list, I declined their offer. Magnum 4024 in the bay now."

10-4 on the magnum. That's a bummer about the AC trying to restart with a loaded compressor. I'm no expert but I think if there were a 15 amp fuse (at least the minimum rating on our Dometic Quick Cool) that the in line 110 VAC AC breaker may have tripped prior to the inverter being fried.

Darkspeed · August 23, 2017, 08:34:21 AM

Quote from: eagle19952 on August 22, 2017, 08:50:16 PM
Really:
April 19, 2017
Verified Purchase
Supplier was right on time, right product. My third one of these units.Only buy because this model was originally installed in my boat. Have had 5 failures. Very confusing to operate and understand. Have never had the number of serious problems/failures with an inverter. Have had inverters on 3 boats and 2 RV's never had total failures like I have had with Victron.
The manufacturer's tech support has not been able to help me understand this units operating characteristics.

Yes, that review sounds like someone who does not understand his inverter.
I have had two of the Victron 24/3000 quietly humming away supplying 120/240 for along time with zero problems, even driving my inverter mini split AC.
We have also used them in a number of commercial applications with zero problems.

Before Victron I used Trace with good results.

windtrader · August 23, 2017, 09:58:14 PM

I'm planning to use Victron for the charge controller for the solar electric system. I thought it was a good brand.

eagle19952 · August 24, 2017, 08:28:15 AM

Quote from: Darkspeed on August 23, 2017, 08:34:21 AM
Yes, that review sounds like someone who does not understand his inverter.
I have had two of the Victron 24/3000 quietly humming away supplying 120/240 for along time with zero problems, even driving my inverter mini split AC.
We have also used them in a number of commercial applications with zero problems.

Before Victron I used Trace with good results.

really...
has owned 5 other inverters and had 3 victron failures and that's what you got....someone who does not understand his inverter. smh.

Darkspeed · August 24, 2017, 12:00:00 PM

Quote from: eagle19952 on August 24, 2017, 08:28:15 AM
really...
has owned 5 other inverters and had 3 victron failures and that's what you got....someone who does not understand his inverter. smh.

I was basing my comment on where they said "Have had 5 failures. Very confusing to operate and understand." and "support has not been able to help me understand this units operating characteristics"