quiet power inverter?

[br2an]

I have a 2000W 12V MSW inverter in my cabin that is VERY noisy when outputting power. It is a cheap model (Canadian Tire brand) and the fan noise really detracts from the cabin experience.

I have no experience with other brands or types so I don't know if the noise is typical of all inverteres or not. Searching here and with Google it doesn't seem to be much of a problem for others.

I am looking to replace this noisy beast with a PSW inverter in the 500 - 1000W range and would like something quiet. Buying online is my only option, how can I choose a quiet model/brand? If they all make noise, what are other folks doing to silence them?

Brian

[Sunking]

I am looking to replace this noisy beast with a PSW inverter in the 500 - 1000W range

PSW? Is that a typo and you mean TSW?

[inetdog]

PSW? Is that a typo and you mean TSW?

Some people say Pure Sine Wave, others say True Sine Wave.
Kind of like the difference between Pure Juice and Real Juice? (and neither of those are as firm a statement as people may think!)

[seataka]

put a long piece or a couple of pieces of 2" flex duct on the fan exit and put the fan at the exit of of duct.. far enough away that you don't have to listen to the thing and/or perhaps get a slower rotating fan (quieter with the same or better CFM (bigger) but they are pricey compared to those annoying little noisy fans.)

[inetdog]

Another approach which may not seem like a lot but does help a bit is simply to put an open box around the fan exit with some sound deadening surface, just so you do not have a direct sound path to your ears from the fan or from a hard surface that can "see" the fan. It can be pretty large so it does not interfere at all with the air flow.

If you have some other masking noise in the room, that may actually have a noticeable effect. If you are sitting in pristine solitude, it will be very hard to do anything to get the fan noise down to a level that is not intrusive, except by using a different fan, ducted to the original hole, as seataka suggested. But if you try that, be very careful that you do not end up reducing the airflow.

[Kebast]

Some people say Pure Sine Wave, others say True Sine Wave.
Kind of like the difference between Pure Juice and Real Juice? (and neither of those are as firm a statement as people may think!)

They are different things thought right? Isn't one of those a trademark thing that isn't really an exactly perfect sine wave?

[Sunny Solar]

Get yourself a 12v magnetic levitation bearing fan .If not enough room inside the case ,although there should be as they are same size as standard sleeve bearing fan. But mabe a bit thicker than some,?Then just mount it outside the case using same bolt/screw holes and run the wires from inside to outside.
I use them in audio amplifiers for home use, They really are quiet about 32db and last just about forever. (give or take 8.8 yrs) cost not much above std muffin fans. and the blades can be easily removed for cleaning the motor is sealed.

[inetdog]

They are different things thought right? Isn't one of those a trademark thing that isn't really an exactly perfect sine wave?

No, that is the SemiPureSineWave, SPS (TM), I believe.

[Kebast]

No, that is the SemiPureSineWave, SPS (TM), I believe.

Ah, yep that's it! Thanks

[br2an]

PSW? Is that a typo and you mean TSW?

If you didn't understand it then it was a typo. Should have been TSW.

inetdog

I have considered building a box around the inverter to mute it. I may also try ducting as seataka suggests but not until I have replaced it with a smaller unit. The use of a quieter fan attached outside (possibly in a duct) sounds promising as well.

I was hoping that someone would chime in with " I have an XYZ brand that is super quiet" but I guess they all make some noise. Can I expect a smaller inverter (500W) to be significantly quieter than a 2000W one? Seems it won't need as much air flow and should be less noise.

[inetdog]

Can I expect a smaller inverter (500W) to be significantly quieter than a 2000W one? Seems it won't need as much air flow and should be less noise.

As a very general rule, the less a fan has to do, the quieter it can be. But a large inverter with a good heat sink and a well designed low-speed large diameter fan can easily be quieter than a small inverter with a small cheap fan running at high speed to get the airflow needed.
The noise can also vary with the load if the fan is speed-controlled rather than on/off.

[Sunny Solar]

As Ialready said in post #7 for anyplace you need a super quiet fan you just cant go past the ones that use magnetic levitation instead of a sleeve or ball bearings.. They are the only way to go if you have to use a small fan. And there are no bearings or sleeve to wear out.

[br2an]

As Ialready said in post #7 for anyplace you need a super quiet fan you just cant go past the ones that use magnetic levitation instead of a sleeve or ball bearings.. They are the only way to go if you have to use a small fan. And there are no bearings or sleeve to wear out.

I will check the fan size and specifications my next trip into the cabin and start looking for a replacement that uses magnetic levitation.

The fan is speed controlled (not on/off) it spins proportional to the inverter load. It does not appear to be temperature activated as it comes on immediately when load is applied.

[Mike90250]

The morningstar SureSine is heatsink cooled, and 300W cont, 600W for 10 min. Absolutely silent !

Since the guts are good for 600W, if you can keep it cool enough (mount it to a large heatsink) you could likely pull serious power out of it.