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

Oonrahnjay · January 15, 2018, 04:47:40 AM

Quote from: Stormcloud on January 14, 2018, 05:19:48 PM... 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! ...

Hmmm, something strange here. "Tessco" lists itself as a North American company but their company bio says that they are a 30-year-old leading manufacture of all kinds of heavy technology stuff (equipment for cell towers, big data storage, etc.) plus distributor of some items for solar power. This unit is listed on the Waww*Mott website at $172 but out of stock. Everyone is very careful to not mention where it's actually made and I'm wondering if it's another one of these sold under many brands Chinese inverters. Whatever it is, I hope that it gives you long and reliable service but it seems a little shady.
I did a lot of looking around for a suitable inverter and the service history on the Aims/Samlex/Coteks/generic is very mixed. A few people report great service from them; most seem to experience random, total repeated failures with abysmal customer service after they do.
I hope that this one is good for you, Mark, Do you have reliable info on where it was made?

luvrbus · January 15, 2018, 05:37:39 AM

All new inverters seem to have problems from time to time you ever notice how many refurbished Magnums come up for sale, gone are the days of the old Trace and Heart inverters that lasted for years and would run about anything with a MS wave

scanzel · January 15, 2018, 11:45:15 AM

www.victronenergy.com

luvrbus · January 15, 2018, 01:02:23 PM

Quote from: scanzel on January 15, 2018, 11:45:15 AM
www.victronenergy.com

Those are good inverters but they don't have a good service network in the US,I had those on my boat,the buyer made me replace those with Magnums even after I had 1 Victron repaired.Mine were made in China the repair guy told me they were about the same as a Xindun

Iceni John · January 15, 2018, 08:48:59 PM

Quote from: eagle19952 on 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.

While those ones were technically a modified square-wave only because they weren't a true sine-wave, their waveform is (was?) much closer to TSW than the typical Asian-made MSW inverters today that cause apoplexy to some microwave clocks, cordless drill chargers, synchronous motors, computer monitors, etc. Some MSWs are close to the smooth curve of a TSW, while others are a series of abrupt steps with no graduation, almost like the old square-wave Tripp-Lite inverters of yore.

I'm thinking of getting a cheapo MSW inverter just for my electric water heater, to use up any excess solar power in the afternoons after my batteries are fully charged. For a simple resistive load any waveform will work, then I can keep my Magnum only for when I need clean AC, hopefully not too often because I'll run as much as possible directly from DC.

John

eagle19952 · January 15, 2018, 09:18:36 PM

Quote from: Iceni John on January 15, 2018, 08:48:59 PM
While those ones were technically a modified square-wave only because they weren't a true sine-wave, their waveform is (was?) much closer to TSW than the typical Asian-made MSW inverters today that cause apoplexy to some microwave clocks, cordless drill chargers, synchronous motors, computer monitors, etc. Some MSWs are close to the smooth curve of a TSW, while others are a series of abrupt steps with no graduation, almost like the old square-wave Tripp-Lite inverters of yore.

I'm thinking of getting a cheapo MSW inverter just for my electric water heater, to use up any excess solar power in the afternoons after my batteries are fully charged. For a simple resistive load any waveform will work, then I can keep my Magnum only for when I need clean AC, hopefully not too often because I'll run as much as possible directly from DC.

John

BINGO ! not all MSW's are created equal. the last SW2512 (i keep it as a spare), i bought i paid $300. and I will buy the next one i see

Scott & Heather · January 16, 2018, 04:45:21 AM

You do realize that a Magnum 4024 Hybrid inverts (a really really good inverter with some amazing load switching capabilities) is only going to set you back less than $2000? When it comes to wanting reliable electronics, don't buy Chinese...if you want a cheap teddy bear buy Chinese. But I seriously vote for Magnum when it comes to inverters. They have proven themselves over the years.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Lee Bradley · January 16, 2018, 06:29:16 AM

The old Trace inverters show up from time to time. Here is a buy, includes the remote.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Trace-PS2512-Inverter-Charger-with-SWRC-Remote-Controller/183013172676?hash=item2a9c6f65c4:g:CvAAAOSw8RZaV-q5

luvrbus · January 16, 2018, 06:32:12 AM

Magnum is about as close as you get to the older Traces and Heart inverter since both Outback and Magnum were all started by old Trace employees,OutBack got into trouble and went broke it now belongs to some holding co.
Magnum went more for the mobile crowd boats and Rv's which Trace controlled for years and Outback more to the off grid crowd

bobofthenorth · January 16, 2018, 09:39:37 AM

Quote from: Lee Bradley on January 16, 2018, 06:29:16 AM
The old Trace inverters show up from time to time. Here is a buy, includes the remote.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Trace-PS2512-Inverter-Charger-with-SWRC-Remote-Controller/183013172676?hash=item2a9c6f65c4:g:CvAAAOSw8RZaV-q5

Somebody should snap this up. Way better bet than CCC. (cheapo chinese crap)

bevans6 · January 16, 2018, 11:09:01 AM

Electronics, particularly the capacitors and resistors in every device, have a finite lifespan. Over 15 years old, and it's no longer an investment, it's a gamble. Like any gamble, could pay off handsomely, could be a net loss in too short a time.

Brian

Dave5Cs · January 16, 2018, 11:54:14 AM

Magnum MSH4024 Hybrid with ARC-50 Digital remote, Battery SOC reader. only way to go IMHO

eagle19952 · January 16, 2018, 05:28:29 PM

oops. i meant U2512SB....

here's one now
https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ele/d/power-inverter-high/6454342391.html

and another
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2Trace-Engineering-U2512SB-2-5-KW-High-Efficiency-RV-Marine-Power-Inverter/142653332147?hash=item2136cd1ab3:g:thkAAOSwQiFaWCSw

scott332 · January 17, 2018, 05:28:15 AM

I ran across this ad yesterday for those interested in Trace inverters. Looks almost identical to my Xantrex inverter, even the control panel is the same.

https://southbend.craigslist.org/rvs/d/trace-2000-watt-inverter/6456398629.html

luvrbus · January 17, 2018, 06:29:05 AM

Quote from: scott332 on January 17, 2018, 05:28:15 AM
I ran across this ad yesterday for those interested in Trace inverters. Looks almost identical to my Xantrex inverter, even the control panel is the same.

https://southbend.craigslist.org/rvs/d/trace-2000-watt-inverter/6456398629.html

Those were the same as Trace till Xantrex stop production I have stacked inverters 1 Trace and 1 Xantrex only difference is the name on the case