24 volt power inverter reviews

[grumpybear]

i am switching my 12 volt system to 24 volt just want to get a good reliable 24 volt 2500 or 3000 watt inverter
would like to here from everyone that has a 24 volt inverter and has had good luck with them
this system is only for running my garage lights and tools rarely
thanks

[thastinger]

I've had fault free service from my Cotek PSW 3000 but it is a 48V model. I can't speak on any of the others because this one is the only one I have ever dealt with.

[FloridaSun]

i am switching my 12 volt system to 24 volt just want to get a good reliable 24 volt 2500 or 3000 watt inverter
would like to here from everyone that has a 24 volt inverter and has had good luck with them
this system is only for running my garage lights and tools rarely
thanks

Hope you've read Sunking's sticky thread, http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showth...-Size-Tutorial , about matching inverter size to battery Ah.
A 3000 watt inverter is a bit much for your <5000Wh battery bank. (You mentioned you have "4 deep cycle marine 12 volt batteries" in your other thread.)
Cotek inverters seem to be good quality and one of the very few cheaper ones that are UL listed. Whatever you choose, get an inverter with GFCI and the right size for best efficiency and price.

[thastinger]

Yes, I should have explained. The Cotek has GFCI and is UL Listed, which was required for code where I am. It is too large for my battery bank because I originally, and by mistake, ordered a european model. The company I bought the original from exchanged this one in it's place and that is why it is too large. My loads never exceed half it's output, which probably means it doesn't operate in its most efficient power range but it has done very well for me anyway.

The downside is that it doesn't have a built in charger, so I had to buy an external one of those.

[FloridaSun]

Yes, I should have explained. The Cotek has GFCI and is UL Listed, which was required for code where I am. It is too large for my battery bank because I originally, and by mistake, ordered a european model. The company I bought the original from exchanged this one in it's place and that is why it is too large. My loads never exceed half it's output, which probably means it doesn't operate in its most efficient power range but it has done very well for me anyway.

The downside is that it doesn't have a built in charger, so I had to buy an external one of those.

ya, nuttin wrong with having an oversized inverter ...except you pay more for less efficiency and have temptations to quickly drain your battery bank.
I just thought it worth mentioning that there is rarely a need to match a 3000watt inverter with a relatively small battery bank. A 1000watt inverter would be plenty fine for him. I presently have a 400W Meanwell (PSW + GFCI, longer warranty and cheaper than Cotek but not UL listed) on my own 200Ah-24V bank but do plan on a 700W Cotek in the near future. Redundancy is good, smaller inverters are cheaper and loads can be matched to inverter size for better efficiency.

Personally I prefer a separate charger. If one side of an inverter/charger were to fail than all might have to be replaced instead of just the inverter or charger.

[thastinger]

Having said that it is important to properly size the inverter to the battery bank, I wouldn't go back and do mine differently. It is nice to be able to run a skillsaw (or any electrical surge motor really) for 30 seconds in order to cut a sheet of plywood or board etc. A large induction motor like that, running for just a few seconds at a time, is something that is pretty tough to incorp into the system design because it is such a large start load but runs for such a short time. It works though, I'm just careful not to abuse the capabilities of the inverter.

[FloridaSun]

Having said that it is important to properly size the inverter to the battery bank, I wouldn't go back and do mine differently. It is nice to be able to run a skillsaw (or any electrical surge motor really) for 30 seconds in order to cut a sheet of plywood or board etc. A large induction motor like that, running for just a few seconds at a time, is something that is pretty tough to incorp into the system design because it is such a large start load but runs for such a short time. It works though, I'm just careful not to abuse the capabilities of the inverter.

Yes, I realize YOU have a well thought out system and know what your doing. The OP did mention he was running shop tools, testing his questionable 432W of DIY panels with band saw and drill press running. That may be ok for testing purposes but one should not think they can run heavy duty tools on a few thousand watt hours of stored battery power for any length of time as with grid power.
My own 120V skillsaws have been collecting dust since I got my little 18V (always solar charged) circular saw. Love the light weight and cuts ply or 2x wood just fine. My big amp tools will stay on grid power.
Another reason to invest in an oversized inverter might be if you plan on growing your bank/system in the near future. Also, with a respectable (but not overamped battery charge) amount of panel watts, opportunity loads at mid day can be greater.

[grumpybear]

inverter reviews

thanks everyone for you help
and yes I did read the post about matching battery bank and inverter
which I plan on expanding the battery bank in time as well as the panels
so I would like to go ahead and get the inverter to match what I will end up with
which will be 6 panels 130 watts and 8 100 ah batteries { I could have the math wrong on this also }
which is all my current cc can handle
this is just a system for mostly lighting in my garage/workshop and very light use of power tools and for backup power during outages
that is why I wish to go with a 2500 or 3000 to make sure I can run my fridge and some lights for a few days if needed
I do have three generators a 1000 watt 5000 watt and I was just given a 6500 watt onan that came out of a motor home
I restored the 5000 watt which has an old Wisconsin 10hp and was not putting out power now she starts first pull every time and is putting out the power
I do appreciate all the advice from everyone as I am still in the infant stage of solar lol
just need a 24 volt inverter for off grid right now that won't break the bank but will still be reliable
thank you all

[thastinger]

thanks everyone for you help
and yes I did read the post about matching battery bank and inverter
which I plan on expanding the battery bank in time as well as the panels
so I would like to go ahead and get the inverter to match what I will end up with
which will be 6 panels 130 watts and 8 100 ah batteries { I could have the math wrong on this also }
which is all my current cc can handle
this is just a system for mostly lighting in my garage/workshop and very light use of power tools and for backup power during outages
that is why I wish to go with a 2500 or 3000 to make sure I can run my fridge and some lights for a few days if needed
I do have three generators a 1000 watt 5000 watt and I was just given a 6500 watt onan that came out of a motor home
I restored the 5000 watt which has an old Wisconsin 10hp and was not putting out power now she starts first pull every time and is putting out the power
I do appreciate all the advice from everyone as I am still in the infant stage of solar lol
just need a 24 volt inverter for off grid right now that won't break the bank but will still be reliable
thank you all

I'd put that fridge on a kill-a-watt meter for a few days and see what it draws. Those things can be anywhere from 1kW-2.5kWh per day and that is a huge difference for a smallish system. You could consider converting a chest freezer to function as a fridge for emergency backup purposes. My converted 8.8CuFt chest freezer uses .5kWh/day functioning as a fridge. I used the johnson controls unit to convert mine.

[grumpybear]

I'd put that fridge on a kill-a-watt meter for a few days and see what it draws. Those things can be anywhere from 1kW-2.5kWh per day and that is a huge difference for a smallish system. You could consider converting a chest freezer to function as a fridge for emergency backup purposes. My converted 8.8CuFt chest freezer uses .5kWh/day functioning as a fridge. I used the johnson controls unit to convert mine.

thanks
good suggestion ill do that